At the 2025 Fellowship Investiture, the CIBN President calls for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to deepen innovation, bridge the talent gap, and position Nigeria’s banking industry as a global digital leader.
CIBN, Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, Ph.D, FCIB,
The Nigerian banking industry must go beyond traditional boundaries to fully harness the power of digital transformation, innovation, and human capital development if it must remain competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
This was the central message from the President and Chairman of Council of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, Ph.D, FCIB, as he delivered a rousing opening address at the Institute’s 2025 Fellowship Investiture Ceremony, held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, National Theatre, Iganmu, Surulere, Lagos.
Themed “Banking Beyond Boundaries: Leveraging Technological Innovations for Enhanced Performance in the Nigerian Banking Industry,” the landmark event brought together industry leaders, regulators, innovators, policymakers, and academia to celebrate excellence and reflect on the transformation shaping the banking landscape.
In his keynote remarks, Prof. Olanrewaju reaffirmed CIBN’s mission to uphold professionalism, integrity, and innovation in banking practice. He described the annual Investiture as a celebration of “dedication, merit, and visionary leadership,” recognizing individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced Nigeria’s financial sector.
A total of 687 distinguished members were conferred with Fellowship honours, including 21 Honorary Fellows, 440 Elected Fellows, and 225 Honorary Senior Members (HCIB). Prof. Olanrewaju congratulated the honourees, describing their elevation as “not merely an award, but a testament to their service as torchbearers of ethics, innovation, and industry transformation.”
Banking Sector as a Catalyst for Economic Renewal
The CIBN President highlighted that the Nigerian banking industry has evolved into a robust digital ecosystem driving inclusion, innovation, and growth. He revealed that electronic payment transactions reached ₦384 trillion as of July 2025, marking a major leap in the nation’s transition toward a cashless economy.
“Mobile and Point-of-Sale transactions have surged by more than 200% year-on-year, connecting millions of individuals and enterprises in real time. This transformation demonstrates how digital innovation is redefining customer experience, improving efficiency, and fostering inclusion,” he stated.
Prof. Olanrewaju also acknowledged the progress made through ongoing bank recapitalization, which has strengthened institutional resilience, with several banks meeting the CBN’s 2026 capital requirement ahead of schedule. He commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its forward-looking regulatory framework that continues to restore confidence, attract investment, and boost financial stability.
The CIBN President further applauded the nation’s recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, describing it as “a watershed moment that reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to financial transparency, integrity, and global trust.”
He noted that the Nigerian economy recorded a 4.23% year-on-year GDP growth in Q2 2025, thanks in part to the financial sector’s catalytic role in expanding credit access to key growth areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and small businesses.
Spotlight on Leadership and Innovation
Prof. Olanrewaju extended warm appreciation to dignitaries in attendance, including Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, FCIB, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, and Mallam Dikko Umar Radda, Ph.D, CON, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, represented by His Excellency Faruk Lawal Jobe, HCIB, Deputy Governor.
He also commended the Guest Speaker, Dr. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Chief Executive Officer of Future Africa and Co-Founder of Andela, describing him as a visionary whose entrepreneurial journey mirrors the theme of technological advancement and cross-sector innovation.
CIBN Unveils Human Capital Development Fund
In a major announcement, Prof. Olanrewaju unveiled the CIBN Human Capital Development Fund, a strategic initiative designed to tackle the growing skills gap in the financial sector caused by the global migration of professionals and the evolving demands of digital banking.
He explained that the initiative, developed in collaboration with the Body of Banks’ CEOs, aims to fund training programmes, retain talent, and equip young Nigerians with the competencies required in a digitally driven financial ecosystem.
“The Institute, through our Banking School Project, is creating a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals who can lead the transformation of the banking industry,” he said. “We must collectively redefine the talent landscape to build a workforce that is both globally competitive and ethically grounded.”
Prof. Olanrewaju urged banks, regulators, and private sector players to support the initiative, noting that “the success of our financial system depends on our ability to combine innovation with human capital excellence.”
A Call to Collective Vision
In closing, Prof. Olanrewaju called for sustained collaboration between the CBN, financial institutions, and key stakeholders to consolidate recent achievements and push boundaries in digital innovation.
“To secure our future, we must deepen financial inclusion, expand credit access to productive sectors, and uphold transparency and ethics as the cornerstone of our profession,” he said.
Quoting John F. Kennedy, he reminded the audience that “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
With a tone of optimism, the CIBN President concluded that Nigeria’s financial sector is well-positioned to become a regional leader in digital finance, provided it continues to innovate, invest in people, and uphold integrity at every level of operation.
At the 2025 CIBN Fellowship Investiture, President Prof. Pius Olanrewaju urges Nigerian banks to embrace digital transformation, strengthen ethics, and invest in human capital. He unveils the CIBN Human Capital Development Fund to bridge the skills gap and power Nigeria’s next phase of financial innovation.
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