ABU Economics Department holds 3rd international conference
The Department of Economics, Ahmadu Bello University, held its 3rd international conference today (Tuesday, 5th November, 2024).
It took place at the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
The conference with the theme “Navigating Economic Resilience in Nigeria: Strategies for Growth and Stability”, stimulated deliberations among technocrats and academics from different spheres of life, and proferred solutions to economic crisis bedeviling the nation.
The Vice-Chancellor Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Kabiru Bala, commended the organisers for making the conference a hybrid event with paper presenters from different walks of life.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof Raymond Bako, appreciated all invited guests and wished them wonderful deliberations.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Prof Mike Kwanashie, in his remark, expressed great delight on how far the department has come, especially in areas of organising discussions that would deal with pressing national issues.
He disclosed that the return of the Department to the Social Sciences as the key function of economists is not mathematical but rather consideration of human , cultural and societal norms of the people.
In a keynote address titled “Navigating economic Resilience in Nigeria: Strategies for Growth and Stability”, the President Nigerian Economic Society (NES), Prof Adeola Adenikinju, decried the gap between policy pronouncement and implementation in government.
He cited the minimum wage increase and its negative impact on the economy calling for physical reforms not just pronouncements.
Coordinator, Centre for Growth and Development, Ibadan , Oyo State, Prof A.G Garba, gave a keynote address with the title “A Reflection on Economist, Capitalist and Human Sacrifices”.
He lamented on the unethical practice of holding interest superior which leads to human suffering a practice he attributed to the capitalist ideology. He prayed for economists to be able to make policies that promote the wellbeing of many and not condone the suffering of many.
In his discussion of the paper, Prof M.C Duru, shed light on the prescription of policies that do not put into consideration the challenges being faced like increasing taxes, removal of subsidy. He also called for the reversal of the prescriptions to deal with the realities of the present challenges.
In a lead paper, presented by the Director General, West African Institute for Economic and Financial Management (WAIFEM), Dr. Baba Musa Yusuf, with the title “Awakening the Sleeping Giant: Navigating Economic Resilience in Nigeria for Growth and Sability”, listed a number of competitive index that makes Nigeria a giant.
He also pointed out lack of utilization of resources like arable land, human capital as the main causes of the decline of the Nigerian economy.
In comparison to other OPEC members, Dr Baba pointed out that it is only Nigeria that is not diversifying its economy.
He proferred areas of interest that the government should focus on to boost economic development like trade relations, geopolitical stability, and technological advances.
The second lead paper was presented by Dr Mansur Mukhtar, Chairman, Governing Board of the Bank of Industry and discussed by Prof Badayi M. Sani of the Department of Economics Bayero University, Kano.
A high point of the event was a book launch: Festschrift in honour of Prof Mike kwanashie and Prof A.G Garba.
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Public Affairs Directorate
Office of the Vice Chancellor
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. (SGB)
Tuesday 5th November 2024.
