Kenechukwu Nwagbo

Kenechukwu is the Political Economy Specialist for the Open Political Economy Analysis Programme. In this role, she helps decision-makers (and other changemakers) navigate the political barriers to growth and development by delivering action-oriented political economy products in clear, accessible language.

Kenechukwu specialises in basic education reforms in resource-constrained countries, drawing on a decade of frontline experience, research, and policy work in the field of education and international development. Before joining Oxford, she co-ordinated the design and implementation of a systems-strengthening reform targeting over 200,000 learners in conflict-affected north-eastern Nigeria; led international research collaborations between multi-lateral agencies and policy think tanks across Africa, Asia, and Latin America; supported the evaluation of girls’ education programmes in Nepal, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania; and co-designed analytical frameworks to support innovative approaches to evidence syntheses. 

She is currently finalising her doctoral thesis at the University of Cambridge, where she is exploring the politics of education public-private partnerships in Nigeria. She holds an MPhil in Education, Globalisation and International Development from the University of Cambridge and a B.A. in International and Comparative Politics from the American University of Nigeria.