Olubunmi Abayomi-Olukunle

What is PolicyX, in simple terms?

PolicyX is a conversation series where we ask policymakers and regulators three to five simple questions about the policies and regulations that shape business. The idea is to humanize regulators and help the business and investment community better understand policy direction and rationale.

Why did Balogun Harold decide to launch PolicyX?

Nigerian policymakers are some of the most misunderstood yet some of the most qualified people shaping the country’s future. Many operate within complex constraints that the public rarely sees, balancing political realities, fiscal limits, and developmental goals. At Balogun Harold, we interact with these policymakers often, and we’ve come to appreciate that behind every regulation is usually a well-considered purpose, even if the implementation or communication falters. We also recognise that there is a direct correlation between investment activity and policy clarity ; the clearer the rationale behind a regulation, the lower the information asymmetry between government and market participants. We launched PolicyX to make that thinking visible, to give policymakers a neutral, structured space to explain why a policy exists, what it seeks to achieve, and how they hope it will evolve. It’s an attempt to close the gap between intention and perception, and in doing so, to help investors, operators, and citizens better understand the logic that shapes policy and regulation.

What kind of questions will be asked during each interview?

We would ask a variety of questions. We would ask questions around: 1. Purpose: What problem is this policy meant to solve? 2. Design: How was it developed, and what data or reasoning guided it? 3. Impact: What change do you expect to see in the short and long term? 4. Enforcement Priorities: What are some of the enforcement priorities in the short term. 5. Challenges: What resistance or unintended consequences do you foresee? 6. Future: How will success be measured, and what’s next if it works? 7. Collaboration: What collaboration opportunities with the private sector are available?

What do you hope PolicyX will achieve in the long run?

We want PolicyX to become a continental archive of policymaker reasoning. A platform where future investors, lawyers, and citizens can look back and understand why a regulation was made, not just what it said. If we succeed, PolicyX will improve not only how policy is written, but how it’s received and implemented. It’s a small idea with a large ambition: to make regulation more transparent, relatable, and human.