Ola Bello is a researcher at FRIDE. Prior to joining FRIDE in 2010, he worked for several organisations including the United Nations, Management Systems International (Washington DC), Merchant International Group (London) and Arthur Andersen (later KPMG). Oladiran has a First Class Bachelors degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, and MPhil and PhD degrees in International Relations from the University of Cambridge. 

His work focuses on the fields of conflict and security analysis, development and governance. His research interests cover EU-Africa relations, international political economy, as well as state fragility, political transition and peace building. Some of Oladiran’s recent publications include ‘Are the Millennium Development Goals proving counter-productive?’ (FRIDE, August 2010) and ‘EU recalibrations can help avert Sudan distaster’ (EurActiv, April 2010). He is also guest lecturer in Development Cooperation and EU-Africa Relations for B.Sc and Masters programmes at the Universidad CEU San Pablo (Madrid), ESSCA (Paris) and Diplomatic Academy (Vienna).