The Faculty of Social Sciences, Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), North West Nigeria, has held its maiden Seminar Series for the 2026/2027 Academic Session, marking a significant step towards strengthening research, intellectual engagement and academic excellence.
The seminar, held on Tuesday, 20th October, 2026, featured a presentation by Dr. Abdullahi Ibrahim Haruna of the Department of Economics on the topic, *“Monetary Policy Transmission and Deposit Money Lending Banks in Nigeria: Analysing the Role of Interest Rate Pass-Through via the Dynamics Approach.”*
A group photograph of participants
In his presentation, Dr. Haruna explained that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) adjusts its Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to maintain price stability and stimulate economic growth. He, however, noted that the effectiveness of monetary policy largely depends on how Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) respond by adjusting their lending and deposit rates accordingly.
Using a dynamic analytical approach, the presenter examined the speed and magnitude with which commercial banks reflect changes in the CBN’s policy rate in their market interest rates.
The study revealed that interest rate pass-through from the CBN’s Monetary Policy Rate to commercial banks’ retail interest rates remains incomplete and sluggish in both the short and long run. This implies that Deposit Money Banks do not automatically translate changes in the CBN’s policy rate into corresponding adjustments in their lending and deposit rates.
Across section of the participants
Dr. Haruna highlighted the potential implications of this trend for Nigeria’s financial system and broader economic performance, while proposing practical measures to address the identified challenges and improve the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission.
The seminar’s discussant, Dr. Aliyu Abubakar of the Department of Accounting and Finance, described the presentation as timely and relevant, given the importance of monetary policy to financial stability and economic development.
While acknowledging the significance of the study, Dr. Abubakar raised critical observations and offered constructive feedback aimed at strengthening its analytical rigour, methodological credibility and overall scholarly quality.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Linus Akor, said the Seminar Series Committee was among more than 20 committees reconstituted shortly after he assumed leadership of the newly established Faculty.
Prof. Akor delivering his address of welcome
He explained that the initiative was part of a renewed commitment to promoting research, intellectual exchange and academic excellence, in line with the policy direction of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tukur Adamu.
Professor Akor disclosed that the Seminar Series Committee had assured him that the programme would be sustained as a regular academic activity.
“I have been assured by the Seminar Series Committee that this is going to be a continuous and regular event. The Department of Political Science is next in line, to be followed by the Department of Sociology,” he said.
The Dean further announced that arrangements had been concluded for the establishment of the Faculty’s first academic journal, which he said would be developed to meet international scholarly standards and pursue indexing in reputable academic databases.
“The journal is going to be highly indexed and of international standard. We shall call for scholarly contributions before the year runs out,” Professor Akor added.
He also commended the University Management, under the leadership of Professor Tukur Adamu, for approving the establishment of two additional departments_Mass Communication and Library and Information Science_to be domiciled in the Faculty.
He described the development as an important step towards expanding the Faculty’s academic scope and strengthening its capacity to contribute to teaching, research and community development.
Professor Akor however appealed to the Management to consider the proposed extension of the Faculty of Social Sciences complex for inclusion in the next phase of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) intervention projects. He noted that the proposed project would help address existing infrastructural deficits in the Faculty.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the Faculty Seminar Series Committee, Dr. Bashir Bello, expressed appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of the event.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to organising more impactful sessions that would encourage critical thinking, knowledge sharing and research development within the Faculty.
The maiden Seminar Series attended by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Aminu Idris; Heads of Department; academic and non-teaching Staff, as well as Postgraduate Students, provided a valuable platform for constructive academic discourse and critical engagement with contemporary economic issues, reinforcing the commitment of the Faculty to advancing scholarship and academic excellence.
