WAIFEM DG, Baba Musa, emerges 45th President of Nigerian Economic Society - ITREALMS

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The Director General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Dr. Baba Yusuf Musa, has been elected as the 45th President of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), reports ITREALMS.

Dr. Musa, who until his election was Vice President and Council Member of the Society, succeeds Professor Adeola Adenikinju at the close of the NES 66th Annual Conference in Abuja on Thursday. His election is seen as one of the high points of the gathering which brought together top policymakers, academics, and global thought leaders.

The 66th NES Conference, declared open by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, featured the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, as chairman of the opening session, and 2024 Nobel Laureate in Economics, Professor James Robinson, as a keynote speaker.


ITREALMS recalls that the NES has over the decades been led by some of Nigeria’s foremost economists, including Professor Ojetunji Aboyade, Chief Philip Asiodu, Dr. Pius Okigbo, Prof. Sam Aluko, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, and Prof. Akpan Hogan Ekpo.

Other officers elected into the 2025–2027 NES Council include: Prof. Aliyu R. Sanusi (Vice President I), Prof. Emeka Osuji (Vice President II), Dr. Victor Akidi (National Secretary), Dr. Ekesiobi C. Sylvester (Assistant Secretary), Prof. Abiodun Folawewo (Editor), Prof. Evans Osabuohien (Assistant Editor), Prof. Mohammed Yelwa (Assistant Editor), Dr. Ekundayo Mesagan (Assistant Editor), Dr. Idris M. Idris (Business Manager), Dr. Oluwafemi Adeboje (Publicity Secretary), and Dr. Jeremiah Dandaura (Internal Auditor). Also elected as Ex-Officio members were Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, Prof. Amaka Metu, and Prof. Salamatu Isa.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Musa pledged to reposition the Society through a four-pillar agenda focused on evidence-based advocacy, youth and capacity building, data-driven research and innovation, as well as partnerships and collaboration. He said the new strategic plan will be developed through broad consultation with members, Fellows, past presidents, and the new council.

He announced plans for initiatives including the NextGen Economists Programme, National Economic Debating Championship, Digital Learning Hub, and a National Economic Data Portal. These, he said, will transform NES into a launchpad for young talent, foster rigorous research, and strengthen state-level engagements with governments.

“Our knowledge must not remain in academic circles. We must support government to communicate policies effectively, train the media to report accurately, and empower citizens with knowledge that will improve economic literacy nationwide,” Dr. Musa declared.

He concluded with a call to action: “Let us ensure that the Nigerian Economic Society is not just a body of economists but a society of innovators, builders, and patriots.”

Dr. Baba Yusuf Musa is an internationally acclaimed economist, public finance expert, and authority in sovereign debt management, with over three decades of service at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and WAIFEM, where he now leads as Director General.