As part of efforts to position its students for leadership, industry, and national development, the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, inducted its final-year students into the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), making them Associate Members of the Society even before graduation.
The maiden Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony, organised by the NES Lagos Chapter in collaboration with the Nigerian Economics Students Association (NESA), UNILAG Chapter, was held at the Glass House, Faculty of Education, UNILAG.
The historic event, according to stakeholders, underscored the University’s commitment to producing future-ready graduates who combine academic excellence with professional competence, ethical values, and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
In his welcome address, the Head of the Department of Economics, Professor Oludiran Akinleye, congratulated the graduating students on attaining a significant professional milestone even before completing their Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree programme.
Professor Akinleye, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Society, Lagos Chapter, urged the inductees to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism while embracing lifelong learning as they transition into the economics profession.
He emphasised the indispensable role of economists in shaping policies that drive sustainable national growth and charged the inductees to prepare themselves for the professional responsibilities ahead.
Beyond the induction, Professor Akinleye noted that membership of the Society would provide the graduates with opportunities for mentorship, professional networking, and engagement with leading practitioners in the field of economics.
Describing the ceremony as the first of its kind in the history of the Department of Economics, University of Lagos, Professor Akinleye added that it reflected the University’s deliberate efforts to expose students to industry leaders, professional standards, and practical insights that would prepare them to make meaningful contributions to national development from the outset of their careers.
A major highlight of the ceremony was a lecture delivered by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of STI Asset Management Limited, Mr. Raji Momoh, on the theme, The Invisible Hand .
Drawing on Adam Smith’s classical economic philosophy, Mr. Momoh explained how individual economic decisions can collectively promote societal welfare under well-functioning market systems. He, however, observed that Nigeria’s current economic realities, which includes inflation, exchange rate volatility, unemployment, insecurity, weak productive capacity, and infrastructure deficits, require more than market forces alone.
According to him, sustainable economic development depends on effective collaboration among efficient markets, responsive government policies, strong institutions, prudent fiscal and monetary management, and responsible private sector participation. He challenged the graduating students to be innovative, ethical, and solution-driven economists capable of developing evidence-based responses to Nigeria’s complex economic challenges.
In a goodwill message delivered by Dr. Adenike Egunjobi, Chairman of the Planning Committee and Treasurer of the NES Lagos Chapter, the President of the Nigerian Economic Society, Dr. Baba Yusuf Musa congratulated the inductees on joining the Society.
He encouraged them to uphold ethical conduct, cultivate intellectual curiosity, pursue continuous professional development, and engage in evidence-based research while contributing to national policy formulation and economic transformation.
The formal induction was conducted by Professor Oludiran Akinleye, who administered the Oath of Induction and officially admitted the students as Associate Members of the Nigerian Economic Society.
The ceremony attracted distinguished academics, professional economists, and industry leaders, including Fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society and Director of the Distance Learning Institute, UNILAG, Professor Risikat Dauda; Head of the Department of Educational Economics, UNILAG, Professor Olusola Serah Sopekan; staff of the Department of Economics, UNILAG; executive officers of the Nigerian Economic Society; and members of the Nigerian Economics Students Association.
Author: Afolabi Akinola
Photographer: Islamiat Akanni
Article Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
