
Bongo Adi
Accounting
Economics
Finance
Brief info
Professor Bongo Adi stands as a distinguished Professor of Economics at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria, representing the quintessential scholar-practitioner who seamlessly bridges rigorous academic inquiry with transformative policy implementation. His multifaceted expertise as a Development and Maritime Economist, Corporate Strategist, Data Scientist, and PPP & Project Finance expert has been cultivated through over two decades of distinguished experience spanning research, consulting, policy advisory, and institutional leadership.
His academic credentials include a PhD in Regional Science and Development Economics and an MSc in Economic Development and Policy Management, both earned under the prestigious Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, complemented by postdoctoral training in Data Mining. His scholarly excellence has been recognised through numerous prestigious awards, including UNU Fellowships, World Bank Scholarship, Japanese Scholarship for International Students, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship, with his research published in top-ranked international journals. He is a current US Fulbright Scholar.
Professor Adi's professional impact is exemplified through his leadership of sophisticated economic development initiatives, including his directorship of the Lagos Megacity Competitiveness Project at Lagos Business School, where he orchestrated comprehensive sector and industry competitiveness studies that have significantly influenced regional development strategies. His distinguished client portfolio
encompasses prominent public sector organisations such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Nigerian Shippers Council, Edo State Government, and Federal Ministry of Works, alongside diverse blue-chip corporations and SMEs.
As the Founding Director General of Edo State Directorate of Higher Education, he demonstrated exceptional leadership in educational policy and institutional development. His pioneering work in establishing PPP and Project Finance training programs at Lagos Business School has created an enduring legacy in capacity building for sustainable development financing across Nigeria and beyond.
His commitment to public engagement and policy discourse is demonstrated through his regular appearances as an economist and business analyst on prominent media platforms, including Channels TV, CNBC Africa, TVC, Arise TV, and AIT. At the same time, his distinguished "Bongonomics"; column in BusinessDay newspaper has established him as Nigeria's leading policy economist with a significant international media presence. Professor Adi's leadership extends across multiple institutional contexts through his role as Chairman of the Board of Prime Media Ltd, Nigeria premier online media and financial journalism company, and his board positions with various blue-chip companies and foundations. His editorial responsibilities include memberships with National Economy, Prime News, and Daily Independent newspapers, amplifying his influence in shaping economic discourse.
Professor Adi's dedication to advancing economic policy dialogue is reflected in his leadership roles within professional organisations, serving as Chairman of the Editorial Sub-Committee of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group since 2021 and as Founding Board Member and Chief Economist of the Imo Economic Summit Group. His academic influence extends internationally through his appointment as Visiting Professor at Nobel International Business School in Accra, Ghana, contributing to regional knowledge sharing and capacity building. Beyond traditional academic boundaries, his transformative work in education advancement, social inclusion, and poverty alleviation has garnered widespread recognition, establishing him as a model scholar-practitioner whose career exemplifies the profound impact achievable when scholarly excellence combines with unwavering commitment to societal development and economic
transformation across Africa.
He is an independent non-executive director at Coremars Asset Management Company.
Publications
Adi, B. & Chukwu, P. (In press). Wealth effect on consumption: Evidence from Eastern Nigeria. The Journal of Developing Areas.
Adi, B. & Chukwu, P. (In press). Car ownership and income level: Evidence from Eastern Nigeria. The Journal of
Developing Areas
Adi, B. (2016). Electricity reform in Nigeria: MYTO model, assumptions, appropriateness and lessons. Journal of
Infrastructure Development.
Adi, B. (2016). Electricity industry reform in developing countries: Accounting for endogeneity in efficiency models.
Journal of Infrastructure Development