CIBN to hold 17th annual banking and finance conference in Abuja
By Esther Agbo
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) is set to host its 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference, scheduled to take place on September 10th and 11th, 2024, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The theme of this year’s conference, “Accelerated Economic Growth & Development: The State of Play and the Way Forward,” reflects the institute’s commitment to driving sustainable economic development in Nigeria and across Africa.
In a world press conference held today in Lagos, the President and Chairman of Council, CIBN, Professor Pius Deji Olanrewaju, PhD, FCIB, officially announced the forthcoming event, expressing gratitude to the media for their continuous support and partnership with the institute over the years.
The press briefing was attended by several notable figures in the banking and finance industry, including the Chairman of the Consultative Planning Committee, Oliver Alawuba, the Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), and other key stakeholders.
Professor Olanrewaju outlined the strategic importance of the conference, emphasizing its role as the largest gathering of banking and finance professionals in Africa.
He highlighted the institute’s ongoing efforts to lead an innovative financial system, uphold ethics and professionalism, and promote inclusivity within the industry.
“The agenda of my administration, what I call the legacy team, is encapsulated in the acronym LEGACY. That is where the LEGACY agendas and the LEGACY team emanated from.
The acronym has the following meaning.
L – focuses on the need for us to lead an innovative financial system. We believe that as the pain center and the progenitor of the program, there is need for us to demonstrate that we are also digitally ready for the next level.
“E – is treasured ethics and professionalism and integrity. We have been doing this. We want to sustain it and not only sustain it, we want to make sure that we raise the bar and also through advocacy, through training, through certification, to ensure that our members are people of integrity and people who have the competence and the skillset that is needed for them to excel in their careers.
“Our G is issue related to gender, generational, and the geographical diversity. We have taken into consideration that in Nigeria, we have as a country, it has a lot of diversity.
Diversity in terms of gender, diversity in terms of generational, and diversity in terms of geographical basis. And because of this, we have decided that as an institute, we should try as much as possible to make sure that this is reflected in what we are doing. We want to promote inclusivity. It is not just a men’s world, but it is also a women’s world.
“Our A is accelerating the institute’s vision and values. We have values that are given to us by our forefathers.
Values of accountability, values of transparency, values of responsibility. We want to engender this and accelerate it and make it known widely by our members, so that they can have a very good image and continue to promote the brand equity of our great institute.
“Our C is competence in the banking industry and finance, with the need to aid economic development.
If you look at the team of this our forth coming Conference, our focus is on economic development.
“And lastly, that’s our hope for tomorrow, Y – We are representing youth and entrepreneurial engagement. We believe that any institution, anybody that wants to see tomorrow, must always believe in the statement that if we cannot build the vision for the youth, then we can prepare the youth for the vision,” he stated.
The conference is expected to attract over 10,000 participants, including policymakers, regulators, operators, and members of the academic community. It will provide a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, exchange ideas, and address contemporary issues affecting the financial sector.
Esteemed guests, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other African leaders, are anticipated to attend, with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, delivering a goodwill message.
Chairman of the Consultative Planning Committee and the Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Oliver Alawuba, in his remarks, underscored the critical role of the media in shaping public discourse and enhancing the image of the banking industry in Nigeria.
He called for robust media coverage of the conference, stressing the importance of transparency and informed public engagement in fostering trust within the sector.
“As we approach the conference, which you know is scheduled for September 10th to 11th, 2024, with the theme, accelerated economic growth and development, the state of the play and the way forward, we once again seek your robust coverage.
“This event, the largest gathering of banking and finance professionals in Africa, will convene over 10,000 participants, including professionals, policymakers, regulators, and other key stakeholders.”
As the CIBN prepares for what promises to be a landmark event, the institute continues to champion initiatives aimed at building a competent, ethical, and inclusive financial system.
The conference will not only assess the current economic landscape but will also focus on strategies for future growth, with a particular emphasis on the involvement of the next generation in driving the sector forward.
He said, “The discussion will focus on Nigeria and indeed Africa’s economic landscape, examining key growth drivers and come up with strategies for sustainable growth.
“This session will be intellectually engaging, addressing critical challenges within Nigeria’s business and financial sectors, while integrating the voices of the next generation.”
The CIBN’s 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference is poised to set a new standard for the industry, with discussions expected to generate actionable insights that will shape the future of banking and finance in Nigeria and beyond.
