Author: Airah Balogun (MS IDEC ’26)
About Me
My name is Airah Balogun, and I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in International and Development Economics at the University of San Francisco. Before coming to USF, I spent over a decade in the financial sector in Nigeria, working across wealth management, private banking, and client coverage & Investment Banking. Those years gave me a strong foundation in finance and relationship management, but they also sparked my deeper interest in how economics and finance can be applied to solve development challenges.
At USF, my research focuses on maternal and child health outcomes, especially looking at the role of spousal agreement, women’s agency, and healthcare access in shaping health decisions and results. I became interested in this topic while working with datasets like the Pathways survey, where I saw firsthand how household decision-making and gender dynamics affect whether women and children receive timely care. For me, it’s about understanding the stories behind the data and finding ways to design better policies and programs that empower women and improve family health.
Meeting the Team
This summer in Abuja was one for the books; it was equal parts learning, adventure, and growth. When I joined Akena Consulting as a summer intern, I thought I was just signing up for a hands-on research experience. What I got instead was a mix of fieldwork, eye-opening lessons, inspiring mentorship, and a side of unforgettable moments.
From day one, the team was so warm and welcoming that I kept asking if they were always this nice to people.
About Akena Consulting
Abuja Airport.
Akena Consulting is a development research and advisory firm based in Abuja, Nigeria. Their mission is to generate data-driven insights that help governments, NGOs, and private sector actors design better policies and programs. In practice, this means everything from research design and field surveys to monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and policy advisory. Put simply, Akena turns data into action to improve lives across health, education, and social development sectors.
One of the highlights for me was meeting Dr. Elizabeth Omoluabi, Akena’s Managing Partner and truly a force to be reckoned with in the development consulting world. She was kind, candid, and generous with her knowledge, inspiring me just by the way she worked and got along with every member of her team. She paired me with the ever-smiling Ocheche, who made sure I felt right at home with the rest of the team.
Week One: Training & a Pilot at Karu PHC
My first week kicked off with an intensive four-day training on research methods, interviewing techniques, data recording, and ethics. I got to work closely with the other trainees in what was essentially a full-day bootcamp, starting with a complimentary breakfast and mouth-watering lunches that kept us going through the long hours of learning. We even had stretch breaks in between, much needed after sitting for hours of role plays, case studies, and group exercises.
Training.
The study we were preparing for was the Delivering Innovation in Self-Care (DISC 2.0) project, a global initiative focused on expanding access to self-care solutions for women and girls, particularly in reproductive health and family planning. In Nigeria, the project is supported by Population Services International (PSI) and partner organizations and was set to be implemented across four states across the country (Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, and Ogun State). While our training was happening in Abuja, other sessions were ongoing simultaneously in different regions of the country for other field workers. It was fascinating to see how well-structured the process was; every field worker was being closely monitored and would undergo a final test at the end of the training. Only the best would move forward, while the least performing would be dropped. The test wasn’t just about memorizing the material; it included demonstrating their understanding through role plays and case studies, as well as basic literacy checks to make sure everyone could practically apply what they had learned.
Training sessions. Dr. Liz in action. Roleplaying and case studies.
We were also given mobile phones which were already programmed to make data capture and recording more efficient. On paper, it all sounded straightforward: introducing yourself to respondents, explaining informed consent, keeping interviews professional as well as human, and recording data accurately. But role-playing those scenarios made me realize just how much thought and effort go into making people feel comfortable enough to share their experiences. I even learnt a of words in Hausa (which is the local dialect typically spoken in Northern Nigeria).
The week-long training ended with a pilot field exercise at Karu Primary Health Centre in Nasarawa State, a neighboring state to Abuja. It wasn’t a long ride, and the drive itself was surprisingly scenic. This was “the real deal” (as Dr. Liz would say), stepping out of the classroom and into a busy clinic filled with mothers, children, and health workers moving quickly from one ward to another.
Conducting my first interview was honestly nerve-wracking. I was clutching my questionnaire, trying to balance asking questions clearly while also paying attention to the respondent’s body language, and then recording the information accurately. One healthcare worker even paused midway through her interview to attend to patients and then also took a break for lunch before returning to finish answering. That moment struck me: patience is everything in this line of work; you can’t merely race through the questions, it’s about listening deeply, creating trust, and respecting each person’s story.
Conducting interviews and extracting data.
By the end of the day, I had learned more from those interviews than any handout could ever teach me. It was the perfect reminder that behind every dataset is a real human being.
Second Trip: Training of Trainers & HPV Immunization Research
By July, I was back in Abuja, this time for a Training of Trainers (ToT) session. Watching how the Akena team prepared trainers who would, in turn, guide fieldworkers across the country gave me a whole new appreciation for the ripple effect of capacity-building. It was about equipping them to lead with confidence and consistency.
Outside of the ToT, I was given a new assignment: transcribing and proofreading interviews for a study on pharmacy-based immunization against HPV. At first, I thought, “How hard could it be? Just listening and typing.” But I quickly learned otherwise. Hours of careful listening tested my patience, focus, and attention to detail in ways I didn’t expect. This process taught me to pay more attention to details and also gave me a deeper appreciation for the hidden labor that goes into turning raw interviews into usable data.
Ocheche doing the lord’s work. This photo doesn’t do justice to her beautiful smile. She carried on the ToT session with professionalism.
I was also fortunate to join the team on a training session on report writing and formatting, where I learnt practical insights into how research findings are structured and presented. It also reminded me of the importance of clear communication in research. One of the highlights of my time with Akena was working closely with Kazeem, the data analyst on the team. He generously walked me through data analysis and reporting processes, breaking down complex concepts into clear steps. It felt like having a personal tutor in applied data work.
Through it all, the team’s warmth never faded. Special thanks to Ocheche, Jonathan, Cynthia, John, Adebambo, and every other member of the team who made me feel supported every step of the way. And of course, Dr. Liz, as amazing as ever, for showing me what true leadership in this space looks like. She remains one of the most phenomenal professionals I’ve had the chance to learn from.
Of course, it wasn’t all work and no play. Abuja gave me plenty of moments outside the office that made the summer even more memorable. The trip to Karu in Nasarawa State for fieldwork was a major highlight, soaking in the scenery and local life beyond the city center. I also explored the lively arts and crafts market in Jabi, where I couldn’t resist bargaining for a few colorful pieces to take home.
Food was another highlight for me, from Abula at Iya Oyo buka to meals at corner spots tucked around the city. And yes, I made sure I stayed committed to my fitness journey, sneaking in gym sessions whenever I could to balance things out. Overall, I had a great time in Abuja; it was truly an experience I won’t forget.
Art gallery visit.
Oh, and I left out the “boring” parts, like missing my way on my very first day, or the funny and interesting Uber rides I got into. Fun fact: Uber drivers in Abuja don’t like using their ACs because they’re trying to save fuel. Sounds okay… until the temperature hits 30°C (86°F)!
TGIF with the Team & my last day at work with Akena
Overall, I enjoyed not just my internship but the bliss of experiencing a new environment different from what I’m used to. It was a real learning point for me, and I’d definitely recommend this kind of experience to anyone who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and dive deep into fieldwork in Nigeria.
