NSUK Professor Advocates Savings-First Investment Model at 62nd Inaugural Lecture

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), hosted its 62nd Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, with Professor Abdul Adamu of the Department of Business Administration calling for a "savings-first" approach to investment as a strategy for strengthening Nigeria's economy.

The lecture, titled "Reimagining Nigeria's Financial System in Flux: The Savings-First Investment Paradigm," was delivered at the University Assembly Hall before an audience comprising academics, traditional rulers, government officials, students, financial experts and members of the university community.

Declaring the lecture open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa'adatu Hassan Liman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Halima Aliyu Doma-Kutigi, described the topic as timely in light of Nigeria's current economic challenges.

She observed that rising inflation, exchange rate instability and other economic uncertainties continue to threaten sustainable growth and long-term investment, adding that the savings-first philosophy offers a practical pathway to building economic resilience.

Professor Doma-Kutigi encouraged households to cultivate a culture of saving before spending, urged financial institutions to develop products that promote long-term financial planning, and called on policymakers to create an enabling environment that strengthens public confidence and encourages capital formation.

She also commended Professor Adamu, who serves as Director of Quality Assurance at the university, for his contributions to scholarship, research and national policy development.

In his lecture, Professor Adamu examined the structural, behavioural and volatility-related factors influencing Nigeria's financial system, arguing that financial instability has become a persistent feature of modern economies rather than a temporary occurrence.

He identified several obstacles to Nigeria's economic growth, including low domestic savings despite the country's abundant natural and human resources, excessive dependence on foreign capital and policy frameworks that are often unable to withstand market fluctuations.

Drawing on years of empirical research, Professor Adamu proposed a "Savings-First Investment Paradigm" that places domestic savings at the centre of economic development and capital formation. He maintained that sustainable economic growth can only be achieved when countries rely more on internally generated capital than external financing.

He outlined several key pillars for economic recovery and resilience, including:

• Aggressive mobilisation of domestic savings.
• Strategic public investments.
• Increased support for innovation and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
• Deployment of digital technologies to improve financial inclusion and encourage automated savings.

The professor also advocated stronger investor protection measures, more resilient financial institutions and indigenous economic policies driven by evidence-based planning and long-term national interests.

The lecture received goodwill messages from several distinguished personalities, including the Dean of the Faculty of Administration, Professor A. D. Zubairu; the Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayingba, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman; the Director of NSUK's Institute of Capital Markets Studies and President of the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (CMAN), Professor Uche J. Uwaleke; the Ejeh of Ankpa, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed Yakubu II; and a representative of the lecturer's family and friends, Dr. Joel Haruna.

The speakers praised Professor Adamu's academic accomplishments, mentorship and contributions to the development of Nigeria's capital market, describing him as a scholar whose work continues to shape research and inspire future generations.

In recognition of his achievements, the university management presented Professor Adamu with a plaque and certificate for delivering the 62nd Inaugural Lecture. The award was presented by Professor Halima Doma-Kutigi on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor.

The event concluded with group photographs and celebrations, marking another milestone in NSUK's efforts to promote research, intellectual engagement and practical solutions to national and global challenges.