Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has once again positioned itself at the forefront of research-driven higher education by hosting the Sixth International Financial Research Conference of the Nigerian Society for Financial Research (NSFR), a three-day gathering that attracted more than 100 researchers, policymakers, financial experts, regulators and industry leaders from Nigeria and beyond.
The international conference, held at the Twin Hall Lecture Theatre of the Faculty of Social Sciences, provided a platform for extensive discussions on how financial innovation, technology and evidence-based policymaking can accelerate sustainable economic development in emerging economies.
With the theme, “Financial Innovation, Real Sector Performance, and Sustainable Development in Developing Economies: Issues, Challenges and Prospects,” the conference examined the growing influence of digital finance, financial technology (FinTech), institutional reforms and innovative policy frameworks in strengthening national economies and improving productivity across critical sectors.
The event underscored the increasing role universities are expected to play, not only as centres of learning but also as institutions capable of generating research that directly informs government policies, business decisions and socio-economic development.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor J.A. Oloyede, explained that the conference was deliberately designed to bridge the long-standing gap between academic research and public policy. According to him, the objective was to encourage practical, solution-oriented research capable of addressing contemporary financial and developmental challenges confronting developing countries.
Professor Oloyede disclosed that the conference featured the presentation of more than 80 peer-reviewed research papers contributed by academics, professionals, financial institutions, research organisations and Nigerian scholars in the diaspora. The papers explored diverse issues including financial sector reforms, digital transformation, economic governance, sustainable development, financial inclusion and innovation-driven growth.
He added that the recommendations emerging from the conference would be compiled and forwarded to relevant government agencies, financial institutions, researchers and other stakeholders to support policy formulation and future reforms.
Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to promoting research that extends beyond academic publication to deliver practical solutions capable of addressing societal and national challenges.
He observed that universities in the twenty-first century must evolve into centres of innovation where scientific discoveries, economic research and technological advancement directly contribute to sustainable national development.
Professor Ayodele further stressed that higher education institutions have a responsibility to nurture ideas capable of improving governance, enhancing economic competitiveness and supporting inclusive growth in both Nigeria and other developing economies.
The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged the support of the Governor of Ekiti State and Visitor to the University, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, noting that investments by the state government in academic and physical infrastructure have strengthened EKSU’s capacity to compete favourably with other universities within and outside Nigeria.
Expressing optimism about the conference, Professor Ayodele said the quality of discussions and research presentations would contribute significantly to ongoing conversations surrounding financial sector reforms, economic resilience, digital innovation and sustainable development across Africa.
He also commended the Nigerian Society for Financial Research for selecting EKSU as the host institution and encouraged visiting delegates to take advantage of their stay to experience the culture, hospitality and tourism potential of Ekiti State.
In his welcome address, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Dr Ayodeji Awolaja, highlighted the importance of stronger partnerships among universities, government institutions, financial organisations and the private sector.
According to him, the rapidly changing global financial environment requires multidisciplinary collaboration capable of producing innovative policy solutions that respond effectively to emerging economic realities.
Beyond the technical sessions, the conference celebrated academic excellence and institutional leadership through the conferment of prestigious honours on distinguished personalities.
One of the major highlights was the formal investiture of Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele as a Patron of the Nigerian Society for Financial Research, an honour bestowed in recognition of his contributions to higher education, academic leadership and research development.
Similarly, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, received the Society’s Award of Excellence for his contributions to educational advancement and community development.
The opening ceremony also featured colourful cultural performances by students of EKSU’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts, reflecting the institution’s commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage while promoting academic excellence on the global stage.
The conference concluded with a gala dinner during which delegates reflected on the outcomes of the three-day deliberations and identified opportunities for future collaborative research, knowledge exchange and policy engagement aimed at strengthening financial systems and promoting sustainable economic transformation across developing nations.
Among the notable personalities who attended the conference and associated events were the Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Professor T.M. Obamuyi; the Vice-Chancellor of Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin, Professor M.A. Ijaya; former Vice-Chancellor of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Professor O.V. Adeoluwa; representatives of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti; officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria; principal officers of EKSU; provosts, deans, academics, researchers and delegates from institutions across Nigeria.
For many participants, the conference represented more than an academic gathering. It demonstrated the growing importance of collaborative research in shaping national development policies and reaffirmed the critical role of Nigerian universities in generating evidence-based solutions to economic and developmental challenges.
With the successful hosting of the international conference, EKSU has further strengthened its reputation as a centre for scholarly excellence, policy-oriented research and global academic collaboration, reinforcing its contribution to advancing knowledge that supports sustainable development in Nigeria, Africa and other emerging economies.
