By our Reporter
Management of Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) have inaugurated the Institute of Capital Market Studies (ICMS) for the university and commenced orientation programmes for all new students of the institute.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the University in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state.
In his address, Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed, Vice Chancellor of the University expressed joy over the inauguration of the institute which he described as the first of its kind across Nigeria.
He said the vision of the institute is to served as a platform for intellectuals and capital market practitioners to synergize and proffer researched based solutions to address issues in the capital market in Nigeria and Africa.
“The University will through the institute ensure we have experts and academics who can stand out anywhere in the world, come together to investigate this sector of the society, identify challenges and proffer solutions for the betterment of capital market,” he said.
The VC, while assuring university management’s support for the institute to thrive, applauded Prof. Uche Uwaleke, a financial scholar in the university for coming up with idea of creating the Institute.
Speaking earlier, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, Director of the new ICMS described the support of the university’s Vice Chancellor as pivotal in establishing the institute envision to be a reference point when it comes to research regards capital market.
“I must clarify again that it is not a training institute for people to play in the market, the institute is for research in the financial services sector in Nigeria and Africa,
“Because in the future we expect to see students from Ghana and other African countries to obtain the degrees we are offering,” he added.
He listed four programmes to be offered at the institute to includes Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Financial Sector Regulation, PhD in Money and Capital Market, PhD in Development Finance and Master of Science (Msc.) in Public Debt Management.
In a remark, Mr Lamido Yuguda, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also lauded Prof. Uwaleke for his efforts and passion in elevating capital market studies at a very respected area of academic research.
“You are nurturing future investors. A well informed and engaged investor base is crucial for a thriving capital market. The institute has the potential to play a vital role in achieving this goal,” he said.
He said SEC was working with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council to enhance capital market knowledge in Nigeria and ready to collaborate NSUK to develop curriculum standards for financial education programmes.
On his part, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group also lauded the establishment of the institute, saying over the years the university proved itself to be pioneer especially in the area of Capital Market Studies.
“I recall that it was the first university to appoint a full professor of Capital Market Studies and also been actively partnering with the Charted Institute of Stockbrokers to deepen Nigeria knowledge of the capital market,” he said.