Provost of the College of Education Warri, Dr. Dickson Oyovwi has said.,Stronger citizen-focused monetary and fiscal policies are needed to tackle volatile exchange rates and fuel price instability that continue to worsen living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
Dr. Oyovwi stated this while delivering the 9th inaugural lecture of the college, titled _“Exchange Rate, Exchange Rate Volatility, Fuel Price and the Common Man in Nigeria: When Cometh the Savior.”
Provost COE Warri
The economist said some economic policies have failed to translate into improved welfare for the average Nigerian. He identified gaps in policy design and called for direct, people-driven solutions that prioritize the welfare of the common man amid external shocks.
According to him, volatility in exchange rates and monetary indicators has consistently pushed Nigerians into a negative economic curve, eroding standards of living despite impressive Gross Domestic Product figures.
He noted that positive GDP data often fail to reflect in per capita income and purchasing power.
Dr. Oyovwi stressed the need for effective inflation control, fuel price and energy policy reviews, recalibration of monetary and fiscal policies, and structural and institutional reforms.
He described these measures as a “savior” to weaken the drivers of instability, adding that credible leadership would be a game changer.
In her remarks, the chairman of the occasion and Provost-elect, Dr. Fidelia Ighrakpata, commended the lecture’s depth and relevance to Nigeria’s current economic climate. She highlighted the role of inaugural lectures in linking academic scholarship to national development.
Provost-Elect COE Warri
The event featured the presentation of a plaque to Dr. Oyovwi in recognition of his contributions to academia and the college.
Dr. Oyovwi is a seasoned senior lecturer of economics and the Provost of the College of Education, Warri.
