CIBN inducts 923 chartered bankers, 319 microfinance professionals

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has inducted 1,242 new members into its ranks of Chartered Bankers and Microfinance Certified Professionals during the 2025 Stream II induction ceremony held in Lagos over the weekend.

The event, themed “The Smart Banker’s Compass: Innovate, Adapt, and Solve Like a Pro”, was described as a celebration of excellence, perseverance, and professional growth within Nigeria’s financial services sector.

President and Chairman of the CIBN Council, Professor Pius Olanrewaju, commended the inductees for demonstrating discipline, commitment, and resilience in meeting the rigorous standards of the profession.

Providing a detailed breakdown, he revealed that seven candidates were admitted through the Chartered Banker/MBA route, 816 via the regular route, 22 through the MSc/Chartered Banker track, and 78 under the SMP/AMP/Chartered Banker pathway.

Olanrewaju remarked that this record number reflects the industry’s increasing prioritisation of professionalism, ethical conduct, and continuous learning.

He added that the theme of the ceremony was especially fitting as global changes reshape the banking landscape.

“True innovation is much more than the deployment of digital tools. It is a transformative mindset that must influence every aspect of banking, from product design and operational efficiency to building and sustaining stakeholder trust,” he said.

The CIBN president called on the new members to exemplify professional excellence and to help shape the future of banking and finance both within Nigeria and internationally.

Guest speaker Dr Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun, Managing Director of CreditRegistry, encouraged the inductees to embrace the qualities of a “smart banker,” one who looks beyond the numbers to serve not only their institutions but also their customers, communities, and the wider economy.

She stressed the importance of adaptability, resilience, and inclusivity, while urging them to align their efforts with President Bola Tinubu’s trillion-dollar economy vision.

“You, as finance leaders, are responsible for making this ambition a reality by innovating, adapting, and tackling challenges with courage,” she said.

CIBN Registrar and Chief Executive, Mr Akin Morakinyo, announced that 1,270 professionals were inducted earlier in the year, bringing the total number of inductees in 2025 to 2,512—the highest in the institute’s history.

This figure surpassed the 1,222 inducted in 2024.

The ceremony also honoured 12 exceptional graduates for outstanding academic performance. Awardees included Ezekiel Ojo, best student in banking law and regulation; Grace Peter, best in ethics, corporate governance and professionalism; and Abdulazeez Babatunde, best in lending and credit management.

Other honourees were Semiu Asifat, recognised for excellence in the evolution and regulation of microfinance; Esther Awe, best graduating student in the microfinance certification programme; and Uchechukwu Ukelere and Adeniyi Abiodun, who excelled in applied banking.

The landmark induction underscored the institute’s resolve to elevate professional standards while equipping a new generation of bankers to navigate Nigeria’s evolving financial landscape.