Fikayo Akeredolu
BA, MA, MSc
Research Topic:
I am researching African agency and perception in the Sino-African political and economic relationship. My research provides a framework for understanding African agency and decision-making when considering Chinese engagement as part of their development strategy.
I have a Masters in Contemporary Chinese Studies from the University of Oxford. My thesis research analysed African perception of Chinese Economic diplomacy with a focus on the activities of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in Nigeria.
I have a Masters in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in China, where I studied as a Schwarzman Scholar. My capstone project here focused on how Chinese firms like Huawei operate in Africa primarily as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded.
Before Oxford and Tsinghua, I worked as a Financial Products and Technology Growth expert in the Middle East, Europe, China and Africa. I worked at Bloomberg, Stears and Refinitiv (Now The London Stock Exchange Group). I also founded the Growth Network, a community of intelligent and like-minded people who want to understand how to survive and grow in the Nigerian business landscape.
I have worked as a research and policy analyst for Development Reimagined and the African Climate Foundation.
When not working, I enjoy running, playing tennis, reading about business successes/failures and working on advancing the prospects of black women in the workplace.
Research
My research focuses on
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The Political Economy of African countries
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Chinese Development and Economic Roadmap
Awards & Scholarships
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Schwarzman Scholarship
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Contemporary Chinese Studies OSGA Departmental Scholarship
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Vice Chancellors Award for Academic Excellence (Durham University)
Languages
I speak English, Yoruba and Chinese Mandarin (HSK III).
Teaching Experience
Seminar Leader Politics of Policymaking - Blavatnik School of Government
Conference Presentation
Akeredolu, F. (2022). Nigeria’s #EndSARS Movement - How Nigeria’s Youth Diaspora Impacts Political Change. In: Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).

Publications
Akeredolu, F. (2019a). Nigeria and P&ID: the Story behind the $9.6 Billion Judgement.
Akeredolu, F. (2019b). The Costs of Nigerian Fraud.
Akeredolu, F. (2019d). Why Is China Interested in Nigeria?
Akeredolu, F. (2020). Nigerian Protesters Are Making history, Again.
Akeredolu, F. (2022a). An Analysis of US & Chinese Attitudes to Abortion.
Akeredolu, F. (2022b). Bridging State Responsibility and Opportunities as African Countries Join in the Digital Silk Road.
Akeredolu, F. (2022c). Don’t Sleep on China’s Global Development Initiative.
Akeredolu, F. (2022d). Why Central Bank Governors Should Not Run for President.