The 66th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Economic Society, held in Abuja from September 8-11, 2025, delivered a comprehensive diagnosis of Africa's development challenges while outlining a pragmatic blueprint for continental transformation. With 249 research papers and contributions from distinguished policymakers, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the conference theme "Rethinking Africa's Development: Pathways to Economic Transformation and Social Inclusion" produced critical insights that challenge conventional development wisdom.