NES to honour Shettima, Iyabo Masha with ‘Distinguished Fellow’ award at annual event

The Nigeria Economic Society (NES) will honour Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Iyabo Masha, director of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24), with its 2025 ‘Distinguished Fellow’ award.

The award will be presented on September 8 at the society’s 66th annual conference in Abuja, according to a statement on Monday.

The NES said the award recognises their contributions to Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic development.

The society said 11 others, including Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Bismarck Rewane, chief executive officer (CEO) of Financial Derivatives, will also receive the society’s ‘Fellow Award’.

The NES said robust conversations are needed to interrogate pathways for rethinking development, with focus areas including investment-driven growth, regional integration, innovation, human capital development, and inclusive governance.

“The Vice President will declare the conference open while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume will deliver the opening remarks just as the Governor of the CBN, is expected to deliver special remarks,” the statement reads.

“There will also be a lecture on ‘Managing Economic Reforms for Sustainable Development: (Experience and Lessons for the Future)’ while the panelists for the event include: Mr Mathew Verghis, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria; Mr Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation; Dr. Tayo Aduloju, DG, NESG; Dr Tope Fasua, Special Adviser on Economic Matters; and Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman, Presidential Committee of Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.”

The society also highlighted Masha’s career at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the CBN, and the World Bank, noting that she is the first African to head the G-24 secretariat since its establishment in 1971.

Based in Washington, the G24 comprises nations collaborating to coordinate the positions of developing countries on monetary, financial, and development matters.

“She is proudly Nigerian and an asset to the African continent,” the NES said.

The organisation also said Masha, a former member of the presidential economic advisory council (PEAC), has built expertise in macroeconomic stabilisation, debt sustainability, trade, and systemic risk management across more than 10 emerging markets.