THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NIGERIAN ECONOMIC SOCIETY

Article I - Name
Article II - Aim 
Article III - Organs of the Society
Article IV - Board of Trustees
Article V - State Chapters
Article VI - Membership
Article VII - Membership Subscriptions
Article VIII - Honours
Article IX - The National Executive Council
Article X - Committees of NES
Article XI - The National Secretariat
Article XII - Meetings
Article XIII - Nominations and Elections
Article XIV - Finance
Article XV - Publications
Article XVI - Society's Membership of Other Organisations
Article XVII - Role of Fellows and Past-presidents
Article XVIII - Discipline
Article XIX - Amendments
Article XX - Commencement Date
The following twenty (20) articles make up the Constitution of the NIGERIAN ECONOMIC SOCIETY as amended and approved by the Annual General Meeting held at UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE of NIGERIA on 22nd August, 1996.

ARTICLE I - NAME

The Society shall be named and called the NIGERIAN ECONOMIC SOCIETY (NES).

ARTICLE II - AIM

The general aim of the Nigerian Economic Society (hereafter referred to as the Society) shall be the general advancement of economic and social knowledge. In particular, the Society shall encourage the study of the economic and social problems of Nigeria and assist in seeking solutions to them.

ARTICLE III - ORGANS OF THE SOCIETY

The Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies (hereafter referred to as the Journal) shall be the main organ of the Society. Other organs of the Society shall include the Annual Conference and Seminar Proceedings. Back to top

ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ARTICLE V - STATE CHAPTERS

  1. A Chapter of the Society shall be formed in each of the states in the country. The name of the Chapter shall be related to the state, for example, ‘Nigerian Economic Society, Rivers State Chapter’.
  2. Each Chapter shall work towards the accomplishment of the general aim of the Society, which is the general advancement of economic and social knowledge For this purpose, each Chapter shall encourage, among others, the study and discussion of economic and social problems concerning its state and local governments.
  3. A Chapter shall be deemed to exist only after recognition by Council.
  4. Each Chapter shall be free to raise funds to finance its own activities.
  5. Each Chapter shall be administered by an Executive Committee, consisting of, among others, a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary.
  6. The financial relationship between the Chapter and the national body shall be determined by Council from time to time.

ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP

  1. The Society shall have four types of membership – Associate Membership, Ordinary (Full) Membership, Corporate Membership and Life Membership.
  2. Only person with at least a degree (or equivalent) in Economics or a related discipline from a recognized institution are qualified to be full members of the Society.
  3. Upon satisfaction of Article VI, Section 2 above, any person may become an ordinary (full) member of the Society on completion of the application form and on payment of a membership fee.
  4. Associate membership shall be open to under-graduates in economics and related disciplines.
  5. Corporate members shall be private or public institutions and will be enrolled upon payment of the membership fees.
  6. Membership shall be renewed annually at the beginning of the calendar year on payment of the annual subscription.
  7. Members who fail to renew their membership within three months of its becoming due will automatically lose their membership rights. Such rights will be restored upon payment of arrears and current membership fees.
  8. A Life member is one who has paid the Life membership fee prescribed by council from time to time.

ARTICLE VII - MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS

  1. Every Associate and Ordinary member of the Society shall, on enrolment, pay an annual subscription fee as shall be determined by the National Executive Council from time to time.
  2. Corporate members shall, on enrolment, pay an annual subscription fee as shall be determined by Council from time to time.
  3. Life members shall pay a once-and-for-all fee as shall be determined by Council from time to time.

ARTICLE VIII - HONOURS

  1. Any member may be elected a Fellow of the Society, provided he satisfies the following conditions:
    • A distinguished record of scholarly achievement; and/or
    • A distinguished record of professional achievement in the area of the Social Sciences.
  2. Fellows shall be nominated by the National Executive Council and elected by the Annual General Meeting.
  3. In addition to the Fellowship of the Society, the following may be awarded:
    • Prizes for the best essay and journal article.
    • Certificates for the best doctoral dissertation in the social Sciences.
    • Medals and Certificates for distinguished service to humanity.
  4. A Committee of Honours shall be appointed from time to time by the Council to advise it on the Fellowship and Honours in Article VIII, Sections 1-3.

ARTICLE IX - THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

  1. The Governing Council of the Society shall be the National Executive Council (hereafter referred to as the Council).
  2. The Council shall consist of the President, three Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, the Business Manager, the Internal Auditor, the Publicity Secretary, the Editor, two Associate Editors and four unofficial members, one of whom shall be the immediate-Past President.
  3. To qualify as a candidate for the office of President, a member must have served in Council for at least two years. His/Her election shall be determined by such factors as personal merit, contributions to the Society and the overall interest of the Society.
  4. To qualify as a candidate for the office of a Vice-President, a member must have served in Council for a minimum of two years.
  5. Vice-Presidents shall not be ranked.
  6. All members of council shall be elected for a single term of two years, and subject to the provisions of Sections 7, 8 and 13 below; any member may be re-elected to the same office or elected to another post in the Council.
  7. No one shall be eligible for election to the post of President for more than one term.
  8. No one shall serve in the same executive post for more than four years consecutively.
  9. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article IX, Sections and 8 above and Article IX, Sections 11 below, a person who has served as President and would have been four years in Council shall serve an extra term at the end of his tenure as an unofficial member of council.
  10. At any meeting of Council a quorum shall be deemed to have been formed if at least seven members are present provided that the President or a Vice-President and the Secretary or his assistant shall be among those present.
  11. A member shall remain in Council for a maximum of four consecutive years.
  12. The Council shall be responsible for the administration of the Society, for the formulation and execution of its policies and for the enforcement of its Constitution.
  13. Without prejudice to any provision of this Constitution, the Editor of the Society shall be eligible to serve for three consecutive terms and his/her election shall be upon the recommendation of council.

ARTICLE X - COMMITTEES OF NES

  • STANDING COMMITTEES
    1. Council shall conduct its business through the Standing Committees.
    2. The Committees shall be reconstituted every two years and their functions will be spelt out by Council from time to time.
    3. Council shall have the power to establish any ad hoc Committee of specific purposes when this is deemed desirable.
  • SPECIAL COMMITTEE (COLLEGE OF FELLOWS AND PAST PRESIDENTS)
    1. There shall be a special committee of the NES to be known as College of Fellows and Past-Presidents (CFPP).
    2. The CFPP which shall comprise all Fellows and Past-Presidents of NES shall enjoy a permanent tenure as a special committee of the NES.

  • ARTICLE XI - THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

    1. The Society shall have an office to be designated the National secretariat (hereafter referred to as the Secretariat).
    2. The location of the Secretariat shall be determined by Council.
    3. The Secretariat shall be manned by paid employees of the Society whose appointment, job schedule, remuneration and other conditions of service shall be determined by Council.
    4. The Secretariat shall be headed by an Administrative Manager who shall be responsible for the day to day administration of the Secretariat and for proper implementation of council decisions.
    5. The Administrative Manager shall report to Council through the Business Manager, the Secretary and the Editor as the case may be. The Business Manager shall however be responsible for the day to day supervision of the Administrative Manager.
    6. The Administrative Manager shall ensure adequate cooperation with the Internal Auditor in the discharge of his functions.
    7. The Secretariat shall ensure that all State Chapters are established and are functional and active. In this connection, the Administrative Manager shall present to Council, through the Secretary, periodic reports on the activities of State Chapters.
    8. The Administrative Manager and other employees of the Society shall not be elected into Council without first relinquishing their appointments.

    ARTICLE XII - MEETINGS

    1. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the supreme body of the Society.
    2. The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall normally be held during the month of May each year except in special circumstances when Council can make appropriate adjustment in the interest of the Society.
    3. The date and place of the Annual General Meeting shall be determined by Council.
    4. The President shall address the Annual General Meeting of the Society on a subject of economic, social or allied interest. The Presidential Address shall not be subject to debate.
    5. There shall be a Business Session at each Annual General Meeting during which matters concerning the Society’s administration shall be held into the offices of Council.
    6. The Secretary, the Business Manager, the Internal Auditor and the Editor shall each present an annual report at the Business Session of the Annual General Meeting.
    7. The Council may meet as often as is deemed necessary, provided that it shall meet at least twice a year.
    8. Meetings of the Council shall be convened by the Secretary, after consultation with or on the instruction of the President, provided that the Secretary shall call a meeting of the Council if at least seven members of the Council request in writing that such a meeting be convened.

    ARTICLE XIII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

    1. Not later than eight (8) weeks before the dates fixed by the Council for the Annual General Meeting of the Society , the Secretary shall invite nominations to the different offices in the Council.
    2. The Council shall recommend one or more persons from the incumbent Council members for election to the post of Secretary.
    3. Subject to the provisions of Article IX, Sections 7, 8 and 13 and Article XIII, Sections 1 and 2 above, any member can nominate or be nominated for any post and all elections shall be by general vote at the Annual General Meeting.
    4. Without prejudice to the powers conferred on the Council by Article XIII, Sections 2 and 3:
      1. No nomination shall be deemed valid unless a nomination paper supplied by the Secretary has been duly completed by the candidate and signed by two members who are nominating him.
      2. All nominations must reach the Secretary not later than four weeks before the beginning of the Annual General Meeting.
    5. No member shall be nominated for more than one post.
    6. Election into offices shall be by secret ballot during the Business Session of the Annual General Meeting.
    7. The President shall designate two members to act as Returning Officers. Votes shall be counted immediately after the voting is completed.
    8. The candidate with the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. In case of two or more candidates having the same number of votes the winner shall be decided upon by lot.
    9. If any post shall fall vacant between Annual General Meetings, it shall be filled by the Council for the remaining tenure.

    ARTIFCLE XIV - FINANCE

    1. The financial year of the Society shall be April 1st to March 31st.
    2. All monies shall be made payable to ‘The Nigerian Economic Society’. Bank accounts shall be opened in the name of the Society.
    3. The authorized signatories to the Society’s accounts shall be the President, the Business Manager, or the Secretary or any other person approved by Council.
    4. The Business Manager shall pay into the Society’s account all monies received within 7 days of their receipt.
    5. The Business Manager shall present to the Society during the Business Session of the Annual General Meeting a budget for the forthcoming year.
    6. Council shall set expenditure limits for officers of the Society from time to time.
    7. No expenditure shall be incurred by any officer beyond an authorized limit without the approval of Council.
    8. The Society shall have power to raise loans.
    9. The accounts of the Society shall, from time to time, be audited by the internal auditor and annually be external auditors appointed by the council and the results of their audit shall be made known to all members not later than six months after the end of each financial year.

    ARTICLE XV - PUBLICATIONS

    1. The Journal shall normally be published thrice a year, in March, July and November.
    2. Contribution of articles for publication in the Journal shall be open to members as well as to non-members of the Society.
    3. In addition to the publication of the Journal the Society shall publish the Conference Proceedings, One-day Seminar Proceedings and may publish from time to time Occasional Papers, Pamphlets, Books, etc.
    4. The responsibility for the production of any other materials relating to the Journal and other publications of the Society shall be vested in the Editorial Board (hereafter referred to as the Board).
    5. The Board shall consist of the president, the Secretary, Editor, Associate Editors, the Business Manager and two members who shall be appointed by the Council.
    6. At any meeting of the Board, a quorum shall be deemed to have been formed if at least three members are present, provided the Editor or an Associate Editor shall be among those present.
    7. Nothing shall be published in the Journal unless it has been approved for publication at a meeting of the Board.
    8. Unless otherwise stated the views expressed in the Journal or in any other publication issued under the auspices of the society shall be those of the authors.
    9. Members shall be entitled to free copies of the journal and shall obtain from the Society either free or at subsidized prices any other publication issued by it from time to time.

    ARTICLE XVI - SOCIETY’S MEMBERSHIP OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS

    The Society shall join local and international professional associations/organizations as the Council may deem fit. 

    ARTICLE XVII - ROLE OF FELLOWS AND PAST-PRESIDENTS

    The College of Fellows and Past-Presidents (CFPP) shall meet at least once a year. At these meetings, issues of interest to the Society will be discussed with a view to advising the Council of the NES through the President. The meetings of the CFPP shall be convened by the President while the Society’s Secretary shall serve as Secretary of the meeting. The CFPP shall determine its procedure at such meetings.

    ARTICLE XVIII - DISCIPLINE

    1. Any member those behaviour is deemed likely to bring the Society’s name into disrepute shall be disciplined by the Council subject to maximum penalty of suspension of individuals from the membership of the Society.
    2. A suspended member shall have the right to defend himself at the Business Session of the Annual General Meeting. The Society’s decision shall be final.

    ARTICLE XIX - AMENDMENTS

    Any amendment to this Constitution must be approved by not less than two –thirds of the financial members present at the Business Session of the Annual General Meeting provided a notice of such amendments has been given to the Council at least six weeks before the beginning of the Annual General Meeting.

    ARTICLE XX - COMMENCEMENT DATE

    This Constitution shall take effect from the beginning of the 1997/98 Society year.