Nigerian Students Charged on Evidence-Based Policies to Reshape Economy

The Nigerian Economics Students' Association (NESA), Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) Chapter, has convened a landmark summit, urging the nation's future policymakers to embrace innovation, integrity, and evidence-based strategies in rethinking Nigeria's economic trajectory.

The NextGen Policymakers Summit, themed "The Role of Future Policymakers in Rethinking and Accelerating Nigeria's Economic Development," drew academics, policy experts, and students to the university campus, where speakers delivered impassioned calls for a new generation of ethical and strategic leaders.

In her opening address, the Vice-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, described the gathering as "a strategic investment in the future of Nigeria" and warned that persistent policy inconsistency and "policy somersault" have crippled the nation's progress.

According to Prof. Oduwole, "Over the years, many policies have failed to produce the desired impact because successive administrations often abandon existing policies without proper continuity, evaluation, or strategic implementation." "This lack of consistency has affected economic growth, investment confidence, educational development, youth employment, and the overall welfare of citizens," she added.

She challenged students to rise as "ethical leaders, transformational economists, responsible public servants, and visionary policymakers," noting that universities must produce not just graduates with certificates but "future leaders, reformers, innovators, and policymakers who will positively shape the destiny of our nation and the African continent."

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, immediate past President of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), urged emerging policymakers to actively reshape Nigeria's economy through innovation and evidence-based policy formulation.

Prof. Adenikinju emphasised that effective policymaking must be grounded in real-world conditions, warning that policies detached from empirical reality are unlikely to succeed. He advised students to adopt a global outlook while tailoring solutions to local realities, stressing that "thinking globally and acting locally" remains essential in addressing Nigeria's developmental challenges.

He further prioritised education as a critical investment for building human capital and driving national development, while encouraging students to uphold integrity, accountability, fairness, and transparency in all policy decisions.

In a like manner, other speakers such as Dr. Femi Oladele, Lead Coach at MORE by Meristem; Ambassador Emmanuel Agida, ECOWAS Youth Ambassador and President of Emmanuel Agida International equally echoed calls for practical engagement, while Prince Adedeji Adeyemo, Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Political Matters, also contributed insights on governance and youth empowerment.

In her remarks, Prof. Abiola Aina, Head, Department of Economics, charged participants to "think beyond the board and accelerate Nigeria's economy," urging students to translate summit lessons into actionable change.

Earlier in the day, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Joseph Ibikunle, led the keynote speaker, Prof. Aina and Olashinde Oluwafunmise, President NESA, ACU chapter, on a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor in her office.

According to Prof. Oduwole, the Vice-Chancellor, the summit, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, reaffirmed Ajayi Crowther University's commitment to raising graduates who are "intellectually sound, morally upright, spiritually grounded, and socially responsible."

The summit ended with the presentation of plaques of honour to the guest speakers in recognition of their contributions to the event.