The Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) is set to host its landmark 35th Annual Conference with strong institutional backing from some of the country’s most influential regulators and financial institutions, underscoring the critical role of digital transformation in Nigeria’s economic future.
Scheduled for September 20, 2025, at Orchid Hotels, Dreamworld Africana Way, Lekki, Lagos, this year’s conference will be held under the theme: “Bracing for the Digital Economy in Nigeria: Taxation, Banking and Finance.”
Leading institutions including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Zenith Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Unity Bank, and Stanbic IBTC Bank are among the sponsors lending support to the event. Their involvement signals a growing consensus that taxation, banking, and finance must adapt rapidly to the demands of the digital economy.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the FIRS, will headline the conference as Guest Speaker, where he is expected to outline strategies for leveraging technology to strengthen tax administration and boost government revenues in a digital-first era.
Other keynote addresses will be delivered by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of UBA, and Mr. Babatunde Olofin, Managing Director of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank. Both are expected to highlight how financial institutions can reimagine their products, services, and operations to remain relevant, inclusive, and resilient in a fast-changing digital landscape.
The conference will also feature a high-powered panel session bringing together representatives from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), NDIC, Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Dangote Group, PalmPay, and the Nigeria Customs Service. Dr. Yinka David-West of the Lagos Business School will provide an academic perspective to enrich the debate.
According to FICAN President, Mr. Chima Titus Nwokoji, the conference seeks to achieve two key objectives: enhancing the capacity of financial journalists and creating an agenda-setting forum for stakeholders in the economy. “By deepening journalists’ knowledge of emerging issues in digital finance, we hope to elevate the quality and accuracy of reporting, thereby strengthening public understanding and policy outcomes,” Nwokoji stated.
Over the past three and a half decades, FICAN has built a reputation as the leading body representing financial journalists across print, broadcast, and online media, with more than 150 members nationwide. Its annual conference has evolved into a crucial platform where policymakers, regulators, bankers, fintech leaders, academics, and the media converge to deliberate on the future of Nigeria’s economy.
Marking its 35th anniversary, this year’s edition carries special significance. “As Nigeria navigates the complexities of the digital age, this conference will provide timely insights and solutions to guide stakeholders in taxation, banking, and finance,” the association said in a statement.
Why It Matters
Nigeria’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, reshaping industries from banking to taxation. Yet, challenges remain, from weak infrastructure and cyber-security risks to gaps in financial literacy and inclusion. The conference offers a rare opportunity for stakeholders to chart a cohesive roadmap that integrates policy, innovation, and regulation in ways that directly impact citizens and businesses.
As governments increasingly rely on digital tools to drive revenue and financial institutions push for digital-first services, the stakes are high. Success in these areas could help Nigeria unlock new growth, reduce leakages, and ensure wider access to financial services.
Industry Reactions
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the timing and focus of this year’s FICAN conference.
- Bankers note that conversations around a digital-first economy are no longer optional but critical to survival.
- Regulators stress that collaboration between institutions is vital to create a safe, inclusive, and efficient digital financial ecosystem.
- Academics and analysts see the event as an opportunity to bridge the knowledge gap, not only for policymakers but also for financial journalists tasked with explaining complex issues to the public.
A senior executive at one of the sponsoring banks described the event as “a vital bridge between innovation and regulation, where stakeholders can speak frankly and find practical solutions.”
What’s Next
Following the conference, FICAN is expected to publish a communiqué outlining key recommendations from discussions, which will be shared with policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders. This document is likely to influence debates on taxation reforms, banking innovation, and digital policy in the months ahead.
Organizers also revealed that FICAN will launch a training program for financial journalists, using insights from the conference to sharpen reporting skills on emerging digital economy issues.
With its broad coalition of support, from government agencies to financial institutions and academia, the 2025 FICAN Conference is expected to produce not just dialogue but actionable solutions that could shape Nigeria’s digital economy for years to come.
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