Prof. Evans Osabuohien
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On the 28th of July 2025, Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, hosted a momentous occasion that marked academic effort and the beginning of professional purpose. The Nigerian Economic Society (NES), in its distinguished tradition, formally inducted the final-year economics students of the university as Associate Members (AMNES). The induction signifies the students’ entry into a community of scholars and practitioners committed to shaping economic thought and advancing development policy across Nigeria and the world.
The President of NES, Professor Adeola Adenikinju, was ably represented at the ceremony by Professor Evans Osabuohien, a member of the NES Governing Council and Founding Chair of DePECOS Institutions and Development Research Centre (DIaDeRC). His keynote address was more than ceremonial; it was a stirring call to action for the next generation of economists. Addressing the students, he congratulated them for their discipline, academic excellence, and perseverance, qualities that have not only brought them through four years of study but have also positioned them to contribute meaningfully to the economic transformation of society.
Professor Osabuohien reminded the audience that the NES, founded in 1957, has a rich legacy of promoting economic research, facilitating dialogue, and guiding policy formulation. Its flagship journal, the Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies (NJESS), launched in 1959, remains a respected outlet for economic scholarship in Africa. To be inducted as an Associate Member (AMNES) is to be part of the legacy.
As Nigeria seeks to deepen its economic resilience and reposition itself within global value chains, economists must provide not just commentary but actionable solutions. These are the challenges and opportunities that awaits the inductees. Economics, as Professor Osabuohien rightly noted, is about making sound choices amidst scarcity. It is a discipline rooted in logic, yet charged with real-world implications. The decisions of economists influence trade, employment, poverty reduction, innovation, and sustainability.
The inductees were urged to take full advantage of the resources and opportunities that NES offers: professional conferences, policy workshops, academic publishing platforms, and research networks. Participation in these platforms will not only keep them current but also position them as contributors to national and global economic debates. More importantly, they were challenged to bring new energy into NES, fresh ideas, digital fluency, and a bold commitment to evidence-based policymaking.
Beyond intellectual contributions, the NES expects its members to uphold the highest ethical standards. Transparency, academic honesty, and professional integrity are not optional; they are the bedrock of a credible profession. As representatives of the Society, these young economists must conduct themselves with the decorum and diligence that befit the trust society places in them.
The speech ended with a charge to think critically, act courageously, and lead with purpose. The inductees were encouraged to be proactive learners and to see economic knowledge not just as a personal asset but as a tool for collective transformation. Furthermore, they were reminded to serve as mentors to those coming after them because a profession that fails to invest in its future is one that will soon lose its relevance.
In recognising the support of Anchor University’s leadership, especially the Vice Chancellor represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Prof Olusola Oyero), Dean of the Faculty and the Department of Economics, NES expressed appreciation for fostering a learning environment that upholds both academic rigour and professional relevance.
As these students now carry the title of Associate Members of the Nigerian Economic Society (AMNES), they also carry a responsibility: to use their skills to interrogate policies, challenge inefficiencies, propose reforms, and advocate for inclusive growth. They are not just graduates; they are now part of an enduring intellectual movement that has shaped Nigeria’s economic landscape for over six decades.
The journey ahead will demand discipline, innovation, collaboration, and vision; but one thing is clear: with the right tools, network, and mindset, these young economists can become catalysts of the change our country and continent urgently need. To the newly inducted members of NES, welcome to the frontlines of economic transformation. The future begins now. Congratulations!
Prof Evans Osabuohien represented NES in a similar event in 2024 at Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. See HERE.
Dear Prof Evans. Congratulations on another outing representing the President of NES at the induction of new members into the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) Associate Membership.
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