Towards official commencement of School of Business in the University of Ibadan (UI) which is being facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), both institutions have signed an agreement, affirming commitment to the proposed establishment of Centre of Excellence.
It may be recalled that the CBN had in 2010 promised to establish Centre of Excellence in UI and two other universities in the northern and southern regions where there will be excellent training in economic related courses in order to facilitate the availability of adequate and skilled manpower for the Financial System Strategy (FSS) in pursuit of Vision 20:2020.
Consequently, the CBN built a Faculty and Hostel facilities in UI, but these facilities have not been officially handed over to the institution for the commencement of the programme. The School of Economics which shall have a Faculty status and be headed by a Dean will run four Departments including Economics, Banking and Finance, Accounting, as well as Marketing and Consumer Studies.
Speaking during the agreement signing ceremony in his office, UI Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka who thanked the CBN for the investment prayed for the immediate commencement of the programme with earnest disbursement of resources for the effective take- off of the collaborative programme, adding, “I wish to recommend that after today, the commissioning and handover of the building be done expeditiously ”
Prof. Olayinka who thanked the past CBN governors including Prof. Charles Soludo, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and the current governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele also praised the efforts of the past UI VCs, such as Prof. Olufemi Bamiro and Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole for their role in bringing the project to this level.
Earlier in his remarks, the CBN Deputy Director, Mr. Odey Lawrence Waku stated that the importance of the programme was not lost on his Institution, pointing out that with the signing ceremony, efforts would be expeditious to ensure the smooth takeoff of the programme.
