Interview with CSAE Scholarship Holder 2026
We talked to Great Nnamani (holder of the Queen’s College Cyril and Philis Long Scholarship in partnership with the Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE)) about his experiences as a MPhil in Economics scholarship holder.
This scholarship has been nothing short of transformative. Besides the fact that I get to learn from seasoned experts in the field, I cherish and deeply appreciate being able to do so comfortably, without any form of financial anxiety.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background before you joined us at Oxford
I was born and raised in Nigeria, so I spent a little over two decades there. During this time, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Nigeria, after which I joined a leading think tank as a researcher. I spent two years working on projects that spanned macroeconomics, education technology, and public procurement. Sequel to this experience, I forged on to earn a master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge through the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. It was an awesome time of broadening my horizons on global development and building strong research skills. But I am happy to return to my first academic love, Economics.
What are your research interests and what project(s) are you working on?
I am interested in Development Macroeconomics (Macro-Development) which connotes examining how aggregate economic policies interact with the structural challenges of developing nations to promote long-term growth and poverty reduction.
What inspired you to pursue economics at Oxford?
The Department of Economics at Oxford is globally renowned as a breeding ground for some of the world’s leading economists. It has birthed both old and new generations of scholars whose work continues to shape economic thought and policy. The programmes, particularly the MPhil which I am currently enrolled in, are beautifully structured to refine you and prepare you to solve global issues. I have always admired the quality of the faculty and the solid research groups where presentations and discussions on novel economic ideas are unravelled. I knew I needed to be in such an environment that will stretch me academically and hence bring the best out of me. Now that I am here, I can tell that I made the right choice.
How has being awarded this scholarship impacted you and your studies?
This scholarship has been nothing short of transformative. Besides the fact that I get to learn from seasoned experts in the field, I cherish and deeply appreciate being able to do so comfortably, without any form of financial anxiety. I had withdrawn an Oxford admission a year earlier because I could not secure funding, so receiving this studentship has been particularly meaningful. Alongside my studies, I run the African Economic Scholars Program (AESP), which seeks to groom the next generation of economists and policymakers in Africa. This scholarship has given me the stability and space to pursue both my academic goals and my commitment to youth development with a higher level of clarity and purpose. I cannot be more thankful to CSAE and The Queen’s College for turning my dream into reality.
What has been the most rewarding part of your experience as part of the CSAE network?
The people! I find it very rewarding that I have access to a very talented and dedicated team that has committed time and resources to solving economic and social issues in developing countries. I am equally excited about the opportunities that the CSAE conference offers, especially, given its scale and intellectual depth. The conference often brings together leading researchers and practitioners, and volunteering with the organising team implies that I get to expose myself to cutting-edge research, while also connecting with very diverse vanguard scholars across the globe.
What advice would you give to students who are thinking about applying for funding opportunities in graduate economics with the CSAE? Any skills or knowledge they should focus?
Shoot your shot! Don’t overthink it, act. I remember struggling with self-doubt when I first came across the opportunity. And considering when I saw it, had I taken much time, I would have missed the deadline. Before applying, also make sure you have gone through the requirements thoroughly and ticked all the boxes. Both the MPhil and DPhil are very quantitatively demanding, so it is pertinent you highlight your analytical skills clearly and confidently in your application.
If you had the chance to share one takeaway from your experience so far, what would it be?
Always ask for help. It sounds simple, but we live in a world circled by expectations and so much pressure, which can make it difficult sometimes for people to admit vulnerability or ask for support. In the past few months, I have had to lean on the shoulders of senior colleagues and classmates at Oxford, and I am grateful for their wise counsel and how tremendously supportive they have been to me.
