Dr. Eric Kehinde Ogunleye has been appointed as the new Director of the African Development Institute. This appointment comes as a testament to Dr. Ogunleye’s extensive contributions to economic policy and institutional capacity development across the African continent.
Dr. Ogunleye’s impressive career includes pivotal roles in various prestigious organisations. Notably, he played a crucial role in Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, which successfully lifted the country out of recession. His expertise as a long-term consultant and Country Macroeconomist for the Nigeria Country Department of the Bank Group further underscores his capability in coordinating macroeconomic analysis and supporting diverse development projects.
In addition to his work with the AfDB, Dr. Ogunleye has served as a Research Fellow at the African Center for Economic Transformation and as a Doctoral Researcher at the United Nations University’s World Institute for Development Economics Research. His international experience is further highlighted by his roles as a Doctoral Research Intern at the World Trade Organization and as an International Research Consultant at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Moreover, he has imparted knowledge and conducted research as a Lecturer at the University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Dr. Ogunleye’s academic credentials are equally commendable. He holds a PhD and MSc in Economics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a BSc degree in Economics from the University of Calabar, Nigeria. His academic pursuits are complemented by a Cambridge Certificate in the Advanced Programme on Rethinking Development Economics in Africa and an Executive Certificate in Public Policy from Harvard University.
Upon his appointment, Dr. Ogunleye expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am truly humbled, honoured, and pleased by the confidence reposed in me by President Akinwumi A. Adesina for this appointment. I am deeply fascinated and appreciate his consistent penchant for excellence and recognition of talent. I use this opportunity to renew my commitment to the Bank, its leadership, and regional member countries in deepening my support for strengthening institutional capacities in all forms in regional member countries.”
Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, lauded the appointment, saying, “I am pleased to appoint Dr. Eric Kehinde Ogunleye as Director of the African Development Institute. Eric is a focused and strategic leader with first-class expertise in key areas of institutional capacity development support to regional member countries. I am confident that he will continue to leverage his vast experience and global partnerships across all spheres of capacity development for delivery at scale for our regional member countries.”
Dr. Ogunleye’s appointment marks a promising chapter for the African Development Institute, as his leadership is expected to drive significant advancements in institutional capacity development and economic transformation across Africa.
