.. features Rockefeller Foundation President
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), in collaboration with Harvard Business School, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Lagos Business School, hosted a fireside chat featuring Dr. Rajiv Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation.
The event, held as part of the book signing for “Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens,” provided a platform for insightful discussions on tackling global challenges.
Dr. Tayo Aduloju, CEO, NESG, opened the event by emphasizing the significance of Dr. Shah’s book.
Aduloju described it as a bold response to the formidable problems of our generation, offering strategic solutions that promise long-term gains rather than short-term wins.
He highlighted the importance of the book for Nigeria, a country in the midst of a demographic transition with a predominantly young population.
He called it a gift to the younger generation, urging them to strive for seemingly impossible achievements and exceed global expectations.
In her welcome remarks,
Ms. Florence Okoli, Vice President of the Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria (HBSAN), underscored HBSAN’s commitment to nation-building.
Okoli noted that the event marked the beginning of future collaborations among the four organizing institutions, all united by the mission of making a significant impact.
Commenting, Dr. Rajiv Shah shared his motivations for writing “Big Bets,” reflecting on global events and the need for bold, innovative solutions.
Shah recounted how Bill and Melinda Gates made a transformative bet on vaccination, as well as his own experiences fighting Ebola during his tenure at USAID.
He praised the efforts of women who played crucial roles on the frontlines during the Ebola crisis and discussed the Rockefeller Foundation’s initiatives to improve energy access, particularly through renewable energy, aiming to reach over a billion people worldwide without reliable electricity.
Shah highlighted Nigeria’s potential to transition from reliance on generators to cleaner, more affordable energy sources, benefiting millions of people.
The event concluded with a call to action for collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges and harnessing innovative solutions for sustainable development.
