Dr. Akinyinka Akinyoade, Senior Researcher and University Lecturer, African Study Centre Leiden (ASCL), Leiden University
Dr. Leila Demarest, Associate Professor of Political Science, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University
Dr. David Ehrhardt, Associate Professor in International Development, Leiden University College The Hague

All around the world, countries are challenging the received wisdom that democracy leads to good governance. Nigeria provides a compelling case study of this debate. Since transitioning from military rule in 1999, the country has held regular elections, yet questions remain about how well its democratic institutions serve the people. As a resource-rich, post-colonial nation with deep ethnic and regional divisions, Nigeria highlights the challenges of governing a diverse and complex modern state. How do politicians navigate power and public resources? Does democracy necessarily lead to better governance? And how do governance practices shape, and in turn, respond to patterns of migration? On this evening, Akinyinka Akinyoade, Leila Demarest, and David Ehrhardt will explore these questions with you.

Please note: registration required. Please sign up here. You will receive a reminder with all practical information a day before the lecture.

About the speakers

Akinyinka Akinyoade is the Chair of the Researchers’ Assembly of the African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL). He is a Hydrologist turned Demographer. A Senior Researcher at the ASCL, Akinyinka gives lectures on Quantitative Research Methodology; his latest research activities are on migration, food and water security (scenarios for Africa 2020-2050), and agricultural value chains. He is a member of the collaborative research group Governance, Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Development. His other research focuses on population health and development, with special attention on fertility dynamics and family planning in West Africa, and decentralization (public service delivery in education and health sectors of Nigeria, Cameroon, Tanzania and Indonesia).

Leila Demarest is Associate Professor at the Institute of Political Science, Leiden University, specialized in the study of Sub-Saharan African politics. Her research interests include democratization, peace and conflict dynamics, social movements, political parties, political communication, and ethnicity and religion in Sub-Saharan Africa. One of her most recent research projects focuses on power-sharing and party politics in Nigeria’s National Assembly. Find out more about this project here.

David Ehrhardt is Associate Professor in International Development at Leiden University College The Hague. He studies governance and institutional change in Africa, with a focus on the role of non-state leaders (such as traditional and religious leaders) in promoting changes that enhance development. Since 2013, he has worked at Leiden University College on various research projects on Nigerian governance and educational innovation. His most recent book on Nigeria, written with 11 Nigerian experts, focuses on the roles of Nigerian traditional leaders in security governance. David also co-chairs the Leiden Africa Platform, the network of all Leiden staff who work on issues related to the African continent. He co-hosts the Africa Knows podcast.

Dr. Lenore Todd, Assistant Professor, Leiden University College The Hague

Join us for an evening of critical discussion on the visual and cultural narratives that shape perceptions of Black women. Dr. Lenore Todd will present her new book Beyond the Mulatta: Haunted Hybridity in Advertising (February 2025). This book chronicles and analyzes black and mixed-race women's trajectory in postcolonial visual culture history. In contemporary western advertising, there is a frequently recurring stock figure of a particular type of black woman. This figure is a of African descent, with a light to medium skin tone and a loosely curled Afro. She is an engine of middle-class aspiration and an avatar of "a better future" that is close at hand, but will never happen.

Dr. David Zetland, Assistant Professor, Leiden University College The Hague
Dr. Joeri Reinders, Assistant Professor, Leiden University College The Hague

Salt water running from your kitchen tap, widespread floods and droughts, and the loss of biodiversity – how do we manage the impacts of climate change that are already visible, while preparing ourselves for the future challenges we have yet to grasp? On March 4th, David Zetland and Joeri Reinders will discuss these questions with you.

Joeri will explore the impact of climate change on the water cycle. How do the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, affect extreme events such as flood and droughts? What impact does human activity have on water levels and natural hazards? And how can we better prevent floods and manage our water sustainably in the future?

David will discuss the political and economic challenges we face in adapting to changes in the water cycle. Think for instance of the consequences of collapsing infrastructure due to flooding, or the salinization and resulting loss of farmland and freshwater resources, but also of climate-induced migration. Solutions to these issues do not always account for unforeseen consequences, and are often unfair, as measures taken by wealthier regions further disadvantage poorer communities. In his lecture, David will show that these challenges are not only a matter of politics. Instead, market-based solutions, such as water pricing and water markets, can and should be used responsibly in addressing problems we already face today, while also preventing future crises.

After their talks, Joeri and David will together answer your questions, and discuss big and small actions we can all take to make a change.