Biography
Matthew T. Page provides in-depth analysis on security, governance and socioeconomic issues in Nigeria.
He has written two books: Understanding Kleptocracy (Bloomsbury, 2026) and Nigeria: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, 2018).
Matthew’s research and analysis also focuses on corruption and kleptocracy worldwide. Prior to joining the Africa Programme, Matthew was the US intelligence community’s top Nigeria expert, serving with the Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Defense Intelligence Agency and Marine Corps Intelligence.
He also served as deputy national intelligence officer for Africa on the US National Intelligence Council. Matthew received his BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford and his MA in War Studies from King’s College London.
Past experience
| 2021–2024 | Deployable Civilian Expert (Illicit Finance), Civilian Stabilisation Group, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office |
| 2018–2024 | Nonresident scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |
| 2017–2024 | Non-resident fellow, Centre for Democracy and Development (Abuja) |
| 2016–18 | Adviser, Transparency International Defence and Security Programme |
| 2015–16 | International affairs fellow, Council on Foreign Relations |
| 2012–16 | Nigeria analyst, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, US Department of State |
| 2010–12 | Senior analyst for West Africa, US Defense Intelligence Agency |
| 2008–10 | Deputy national intelligence officer for Africa, US National Intelligence Council |
| 2003–08 | West Africa analyst, US Marine Corps Intelligence |
