The Department of Banking and Finance, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening academic-industry collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to enhance service delivery in the financial sector.
The university disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent on Monday following a recent visit by the department to the CBN Abeokuta Branch.
The visit was aimed at deepening the relationship between OOU and the nation’s apex financial regulatory institution while providing academic staff with greater practical knowledge and professional exposure to developments in the rapidly evolving financial sector.
The delegation was led by the Director of the OOU Business School, Professor Bamidele Ilo, and included the Head of the Department of Banking and Finance, Dr James Obadeyemi; OOU ASUU Chairman, Dr Ganiyu Yinusa; Dr T. O. Agbatogun; Dr S. K. Belau; Mr O. E. Olowofela; Dr R. A. Folami; Dr M. E. Ariyibi; and Dr O. Babalola.
The delegation was received by the Branch Controller, Mr Malik Ademola, alongside members of the CBN Abeokuta Branch management team.
Speaking during the engagement, Professor Ilo stressed the need for stronger partnerships between universities and financial-sector institutions to ensure that academic teaching and research remain relevant to developments in the economy and financial system.
He noted that sustained collaboration with industry would help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice while equipping staff and students with insights into emerging trends and challenges in the financial sector.
