Shifts in global power relations and implications for Africa

Please note: this event has passed

The African Leadership Centre invites you to a keynote on 'Shifts in Global Power Relations and Implications For Africa' by Dr John Kayode Fayemi, CON, Former Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria.

The lecture will focus on the current multidimensional changes occurring globally. Moreso, it will address how amidst an ongoing reshuffling of global power and influence, the multilateral order that was erected after the Second World War has come under severe strain and is being actively eroded. The changes which are taking place in global order are being unfolded in the context of several processes that are taking place simultaneously, acting as drivers, stimulators, and accelerators in the march towards a new international system.

The keynote will also discuss how Africa can rise to the challenge of the times, by organising itself to develop and deploy the necessary strategic plans, policy packages, and leadership resources that are fit for the era of rapid and complex change. It is this task of policy and leadership advancement that must be addressed as an urgent necessity if Africa is to play its rightful role in the ongoing dynamic of change in global order. To this end, particular attention must be paid to the equipping of the next generation of African leaders with the requisite policy and political tools and aptitudes that will allow them to hold their own as worthy bearers of the core values and interests of a renascent Africa in a changing international system. The lecture will reflect on the various dimensions of this global dynamic and analyse the implications for Africa in detail.

About the speaker

Dr John Kayode Fayemi

John is a Visiting Professor at the African Leadership Centre. He was also two-time Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria. He received his doctorate degree from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London in 1994, specialising in civil-military relations after receiving degrees in History, Politics, and International Relations from the Universities of Lagos and Ife, Nigeria. His research and policy interests include democratisation, constitutionalism, security sector governance, and regionalism in the global context. John previously served in various advisory and related capacities including, as adviser on transitional justice, regional integration, constitutionalism, security sector reform, and civil-military relations with the Governments of Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ghana. He was the main technical adviser to Nigeria’s Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (Oputa Panel) which investigated past abuses. He has served as a consultant to the OECD and chaired the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative’s Committee of Experts. John has also written extensively on governance and democratisation, civil-military relations and security sector issues in Africa.

About the moderator

Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin

'Funmi is Vice-President of the International, Engagement and Service (IES) at King’s College London. She has led a number of major research projects, including most recently on “future peace, society and the state in Africa”, supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. 'Funmi is also a Professor of Security, Leadership, and Development at the African Leadership Centre in the School of Global Affairs at King’s. Funmi founded the African Leadership Centre (ALC) both at King’s and in Kenya, as a collaboration between King’s and the University of Nairobi in 2010. The ALC aims to develop a new community of leaders generating cutting-edge knowledge for peace, security, and development in Africa.

This event will be in person and live-streamed. Please note that registration is mandatory to attend the event physically. A reception will follow the talk.