Students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria, have etched the University’s name with gold in the halls of fame, by once again, emerging winners of the CFA Institute Research Challenge for the fifth (5th) time in a row.
Indeed, Team UNILAG came first (1st) place in the 2023/2024 CFA Institute Research Challenge held at the Civic Centre, Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
Staking a claim on the championship title once or twice is worthy of commendation, but occupying the 1st place position for five (5) consecutive years in which the challenge held is a beautiful phenomenon that should not only be celebrated but studied.
These amazing and dedicated young Akokites have, with their wins, set UNILAG apart as the lighthouse for research in the Investment and Finance Profession in Nigeria. For this, we celebrate their tenacity, dedication and consistency. They are indeed champions!
The students who made up Team UNILAG in this 2023/2024 CFA Institute Research Challenge were drawn from various departments, such as: Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Mass Communication. They are:
- Tomiwa Akingbade
- Pelumi Erota
- Aishat Adigun
- Francis Ogundokun
- Peace Nnachi
- Pamela Okoye
The reigning champions, as well as their predecessors who have done UNILAG proud, are members of The Investment Society (TIS), University of Lagos (UNILAG). TIS is coordinated by Dr Peter N. Amah, the Ag. Director, UNILAG Simulation and Training Centre, who is also an astute Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Lagos. Noted for his remarkable works with the students, the CFA Society Nigeria itself had, at a point in time (2021), awarded Dr Peter Amah Faculty Adviser of the year.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a rigorous academic competition that tests the mettle of the brightest minds in universities across the world in the disciplines of investment analysis and equity research. The competition commences from national level, from which the winner proceeds to the subregional stage and then global stage.
This year, the competition witnessed the participation of 24 universities in Nigeria, embarking on a demanding research journey that spanned five months. The challenge culminated in a presentation where teams showcased their research findings and investment recommendations and they were adjudged by a panel of industry professionals.
The University of Lagos distinguished itself by clinching the top spot, demonstrating unparalleled expertise and depth of research in the finance sector. This victory not only reaffirms the institution’s dominance in finance and investment research but also secures its place as Nigeria’s representative in the upcoming Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Sub-Regional Competition scheduled for March 2024.
It was a fierce competition that resulted in the University of Ibadan taking the first runner-up position and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) coming in as the second runner-up. Other notable participants were: Pan African University, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), University of Ilorin, and Covenant University, to mention a few.
The CFA Society Nigeria is one of the member societies of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute aimed at promoting the highest standards of investment practice in Nigeria and providing a vibrant community for the interaction and professional development of their members. The CFA Institute boasts of a community of about 190,000 professionals in the investment management industry.
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on behalf of the entire University community congratulates the students on their remarkable achievement and wishes them success in future competitions.
Author: Nike Ogunshakin
Photo Credit: CFA Society Nigeria and TIS, UNILAG
