Niyi Adekanla is a passionate behavioural economist and social researcher who applies the science of human decision-making to improve programs, processes, and services that connect and support communities and individuals across domains. Niyi is passionate about how a deeper understanding of economic and psychological forces can guide the development of technology tools for social good. His work encompasses both programmatic and research-based projects, addressing critical topics such as health, agriculture, and civic engagement. In his current role, Niyi provides technical support for project engagements relating to behavioral insights, and application in mediating economic choices, product design and innovation.
Before joining PIC, Niyi has worked in different research-based institutions such as the SARCHI Chair, University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa (remote), and the National Centre for Technology Management contributing to research outputs in different capacities.
Niyi holds a Master of Science Degree in Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Niyi's research experience includes, among others, supporting the design of demand strategies for the Nigerian health and agriculture sectors, with a particular focus on the socio-normative effects of gender on demand. He supported the design and supervision of a comprehensive SBC outreach program for fellows of the Behavioral Insights Network Transparency and Accountability Fellowship, hosted by his organization. This program emphasizes the importance of civic participation in reshaping the narrative around corrupt practices among citizens and within public service. He was part of the team that conducted exploratory studies to investigate the barriers and enablers affecting the adoption of Digital Financial Services (DFS) and National Identity Numbers among rural women farmers in Edo State, Nigeria, utilizing a social normative and behavioral diagnostics approach. Additionally, he collaborated with senior staff at the Nigerian Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to design a monitoring and evaluation framework for SBC strategies for 2025.

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&tzom=-60&user=SAo-1OIAAAAJ