Chinedu Okafor
Experts in the Nigerian financial sector have called on students to embrace financial literacy, digital proficiency and innovation as essential tools for excelling in today’s dynamic economic environment.
This was the central message at the 2025 Annual Finance Students’ Association Conference, hosted by the Association, Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), with the theme: “Finance Beyond the Lecture Room into the Business World.
“Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Idowu Ogunlade described finance as the “lifeblood of human activities and economic systems.”
He emphasized the need for finance students to understand financial operations in real-world settings to become relevant contributors to national development.
Dr. Ogunlade noted that modern finance transcended academic theory as it was a key to investments, business expansion and economic growth.
He elaborated on the wide scope of finance, covering personal, corporate and public spheres, urging students to adopt a forward-looking mindset.
According to him, understanding the intricacies of financial systems would prepare students to efficiently manage capital and drive development across sectors.
He, however, advised students to explore emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, financial technology (fintech), and sustainable finance.
Specifically, Dr. Ogunlade highlighted fintech as a powerful blend of finance and technology, reshaping financial services through digital payments, mobile banking, and investment platforms.
While referencing Nigerian fintech company, Moniepoint, as a successful example of innovation that improves financial accessibility he said “Fintech has not replaced traditional finance; rather, it has bridged the accessibility gap, especially during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, he emphasized the role of sustainable finance in addressing climate change and promoting green growth.
Citing the United Nations’ $300 billion annual climate finance target by 2035, Dr. Ogunlade encouraged students to explore careers in areas such as agricultural and environmental finance, which are gaining global relevance.
The second lecture of the day was delivered by Mr. Adelakun Adejori Olubusuyi, Branch Manager of First Bank, Ado Ekiti, who spoke on personal development and the success principles in finance.
He urged students to develop self-discipline, time and risk management skills, and adopt a growth mindset through regular meditation and learning.
Olubusuyi said: “Time and risk management are essential for prioritizing tasks and minimizing financial losses.
“To succeed in the financial industry, one must learn to take smart risks and adapt to challenges.
“He also advised students to read widely, build resilience, and see challenges as opportunities for wealth creation while noting that success in finance was a pyramid where only the most prepared and persistent individuals would always make it to the top.
The First Bank executive also pointed to untapped opportunities in banking, insurance, pensions, capital markets, and international trade,saying that every industry relies on finance, making financial expertise a core skill in today’s workforce.
He urged students to align their academic training with practical insights to gain a competitive edge.
The third speaker, Mr. Alasoluyi Olaoluwa, delivered a paper entitled “Exploring the Prospects of Insurance and Actuarial Science in Finance.
“He explained finance as a field concerned with the management of money, investment decisions, and strategies for handling uncertainty. He described insurance as a vital component of finance that cushioned individuals and organizations against risks.
Olaoluwa also stressed the importance of finance in improving social welfare, enabling access to credit, and fostering national development while encouraging students to consider professional opportunities in insurance and risk management, which had become more crucial in an increasingly globalized and unpredictable economy.
However, in an interview with FUOYENews, Head of the Finance Department, Dr. Babajide Fadaka, said the conference was designed to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and practical industry experience.
He said: “As academics, we recognize that there’s valuable knowledge beyond the curriculum.
“That is why we brought in industry practitioners to expose our students to real-life applications of finance.”
Dr. Fadaka also highlighted the department’s ongoing efforts to prepare students for life after university, saying that conferences like this would provide platforms for students to learn vital entrepreneurial and financial problem-solving skills.
“This is part of our strategy to prepare them for the future, especially the world beyond campus,” he said.
He added that beyond technical knowledge, students must also develop traits like transparency, accountability, empathy, and integrity as qualities essential for managing financial resources and client trust.
These, he noted, were key indicators of professionalism in finance and accounting.
The President of the Finance Students’ Association, Omobude Precious Enosakhare, explained that the choice of the theme was inspired by the need to encourage students to experience finance beyond theoretical knowledge.
She said: “One of the facilitators took us through Excel modeling, which opened up a new dimension to financial analysis that we never saw in the classroom.
“Enosakhare expressed optimism that the department would integrate some of the lessons from the conference into the curriculum while emphasizing the importance of acquiring digital competencies, urging fellow students to proactively learn skills that would enhance their employability and relevance in today’s digital financial world.
An exciting segment of the event featured a captivating performance by students of the Department of Theatre and Media Arts, who used art to communicate themes of financial empowerment and innovation. The conference also included the presentation of awards to the guest speakers in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the financial world and their efforts in mentoring future professionals.
Other dignitaries present at the event included the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Babatunde Afolabi; immediate past Head of Department, Prof. Dapo Fapetu; Director of FUOYE Business School, Dr. Adepoju Asaolu; and several lecturers from the Department of Finance, who all lent their support to the successful execution of the conference.
