The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is set to open applications on Tuesday, July 15, for its Knowledge Acceleration Programme (KAP) Thematic Workshops, a research-focused initiative designed to position Nigeria as a thought leader in economic policymaking. The workshops will be held in Abuja across three sessions: August 4–5, 7–8, and 11–12, 2025.
The programme, announced via a circular signed by Aderinola Shonekan, Director of the CBN Research Department, invites researchers from academic and policy institutions to submit competitive proposals that explore key drivers of wealth creation, human development, and international competitiveness in Nigeria.
A Strategic Shift in Policy Development
The KAP initiative marks a significant move by the apex bank to foster a more inclusive and data-driven policy environment. According to the CBN, the programme is not just about academic dialogue—it is about transforming rigorous research into practical tools that can inform macroeconomic policy and financial sector reform.
“Interested researchers are encouraged to submit proposals on multidisciplinary topics that contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s growth trajectory,” the circular stated.
Selected applicants will be invited to attend interactive workshops where their ideas will be refined through peer review and expert feedback. The goal is to develop publishable working papers that align with the CBN’s strategic priorities and provide insights for real-world policy application.
Thematic Clusters and Research Focus Areas
Applicants are required to choose from one of three thematic clusters:
- Theme I: Development Cluster
Topics include economic growth, income distribution, and employment generation. - Theme II: International Finance Cluster
Focus areas include exchange rate dynamics, capital flows (FDI and portfolio), internal/external balances, domestic resource mobilization, and asset pricing. - Theme III: Regulation and Competition Cluster
Areas of interest span monetary economics, behavioral finance, fintech (including digital assets), illicit financial flows, payment systems, systemic competition, and network externalities.
Each proposal must be no longer than two pages, written in Georgia 11 pt, single-spaced, and must clearly explain the “what” and “why” of the research concept. Tables, charts, references, and endnotes are exempt from the page count.
The CBN recommends using endnotes instead of footnotes and allows any standard citation style (e.g., MLA). All data sources must be properly credited, and original data should be clearly labeled.
Selected researchers, referred to as Principal Investigators (PIs), will be required to present their research methodology and contextualize their work within relevant academic literature during the workshops.
Addressing Systemic Financial Risks
Beyond general macroeconomic issues, the CBN also emphasized its interest in proposals that examine systemic financial risks, particularly those stemming from non-bank financial intermediaries. Additional areas of interest include:
- Reserve stability and differential fund flows
- Off-balance sheet activities and self-regulation
- Risk-based capital requirements
- Advanced audit technologies under uncertainty and asymmetric information
“These thematic areas will help the Bank develop policy tools and forecasting models responsive to Nigeria’s evolving macro-financial landscape,” Shonekan stated.
Submission Deadline and Notification
Proposals can be submitted beginning July 15 via the official portal:
🔗 https://kapsubmissions.cbn.gov.ng
The submission deadline is midnight on July 22, 2025.
Successful applicants will be notified of the workshop schedule and venue by July 30, 2025.
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