Athena Centre Announces Launch of 3 Research Institutes in honour of Arthur Nwankwo, Bala-Usman, Ransome-Kuti  

Athena Centre Announces Launch of 3 Research Institutes in honour of Arthur Nwankwo, Bala-Usman, Ransome-Kuti

Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership has taken a major step toward advancing governance, education, and healthcare in Africa by launching three research institutes dedicated to shaping policy, nurturing leadership, and transformative change.

The institutes which are Athena Dr. Bala Usman Institute for Governance and Public Policy, Athena Dr. Arthur Nwankwo Institute for Education and Intellectual Freedom, and Athena Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Institute for Health and Social Equity, will serve as knowledge hubs for governance, education, and health policy research, contributing to Athena’s mission of shaping governance and empowering African leaders.

A statement by the Media and Communications Officer of the Athena Centre, Aliyu Jalal, said “these institutes, named after distinguished Nigerian thought leaders, will serve as centres of excellence for governance, education, and health policy research, contributing to Athena Centre’s overarching goal of shaping governance and empowering African leaders.”

The event is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, March 3 by 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (WAT) at System Property Development Consortium, No 7 Howeidy A. St, Jabi, Gwarinpa 900108, Federal Capital Territory, and will be both physical and virtual.

“This launch represents a significant milestone in institutionalising the legacies of three icons whose work shaped Nigerian society,” said Jalal. “The institutes will conduct research, publish policy recommendations, and provide leadership training to address contemporary governance, education, and healthcare challenges.”

Speaking on the launch’s significance, Osita Chidoka, Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, stated: “We honour Dr. Bala-Usman, Dr. Arthur Nwankwo, and Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti not just for their past contributions but for their lasting impact on the future of governance, education, and healthcare in Nigeria and beyond.”

“With these institutes, Athena Centre will deepen its impact by producing high-quality research, publishing data-driven policy recommendations, and offering specialised leadership training for policymakers, educators, and health professionals,” Chidoka added.

This landmark event is part of Athena’s broader mission to build a research-driven governance ecosystem in Nigeria and Africa.

The institutes will set the stage for a new era of evidence-based governance, educational transformation, and health policy innovation in Nigeria and beyond.

Athena Centre Invite policymakers, researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, and thought leaders to engage with the Athena Centre and contribute to shaping Africa’s policy landscape.