Babcock Business School (BBS) has launched the Babcock Business School Journal of Business Development and Sustainability (BBS-JBDS) and unveiled the second edition of its Doctoral Book of Abstracts as part of efforts to promote research excellence, innovation and sustainable business development.
The two publications were unveiled on July 17 during a ceremony held at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Lecture Hall, Babcock University, under the theme, “Advancing Research Excellence for Sustainable Business and Societal Development.”
Speaking at the event, the President/Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, described the launch as a defining moment for business scholarship in Nigeria and Africa.
He commended the leadership of the business school for fostering an academic environment that promotes innovation and excellence, noting that the journal would open new opportunities for impactful research and knowledge creation.
Delivering the keynote address, renowned economist Prof. Omo Aregbeyen challenged Nigerian universities to convert research findings into practical innovations capable of driving economic growth, creating jobs and addressing societal challenges.
Speaking on the theme, “Research, Innovation and Sustainable Development in the Knowledge Economy: Building Nigeria’s Future from the Classroom to the Marketplace,” Aregbeyen said Nigeria’s greatest asset is its human capital rather than its natural resources.
He urged universities to ensure that research delivers measurable social and economic impact, advocating stronger collaboration among academia, industry and government as well as increased investment in research commercialisation, technology parks, intellectual property protection and student venture funds.
The Executive Director of Babcock Business School, Prof. Rufus I. Akintoye, described the launch of the journal and doctoral publication as the fulfilment of a long-held vision to build a globally recognised business school.
According to him, the Doctoral Book of Abstracts showcases research undertaken by senior professionals across diverse sectors.
Also speaking, the Associate Vice President for Research, Innovation and International Collaboration, Prof. Foluso Ojewole, said the journal is among the first in Africa to integrate business development and sustainability as complementary fields.
He added that the publication has an international editorial board and is being positioned for global visibility through planned indexing by Elsevier.
The launch received financial support from the Chairman of BetNaija, Hon. Kunle Soname, represented by the Chief Financial Officer of ValueJet, Mr. Immabin Kenoye Elliot, alongside Chief Dr. Akinyele Oladeji, Managing Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of CSDC Consulting Nigeria, and the Vice President of the Babcock Business School Alumni Association.
According to the school, the journal focuses on emerging areas including financial technology (fintech), environmental, social and governance (ESG), artificial intelligence, corporate governance and sustainable enterprise development, with the goal of bridging the gap between academic research and industry practice.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.