Over 10,000 African professionals to attend 2024 CIBN annual conference in Abuja

Over ten thousand professionals from across Africa, including bankers, policymakers, regulators, and other key stakeholders, are set to gather in Abuja for the upcoming 2024 Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

At a media briefing on Thursday, Oliver Alawuba, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, highlighted that the conference will centre on Nigeria and Africa’s economic landscape.

Discussions will focus on identifying key growth drivers, addressing critical challenges in the business and financial sectors, and incorporating the perspectives of the next generation.

“We will have distinguished guests, including the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other key leaders from across Africa.

“We have just received confirmation from the President of Liberia, and the goodwill message will be delivered by Mr. Olayemi Cardozo, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Other top government officials will also be in attendance,” he announced.

The 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference is scheduled for September 10–11, 2024, at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with the theme, “Accelerated Economic Growth and Development: The State of Play and the Way Forward.”

Alawuba, who serves as the Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Body of Banks’ CEOs and Chairman of the Consultative Committee for the conference, brings extensive experience and visionary leadership to the event, highlighting his commitment to advancing the financial industry in Nigeria and across Africa.

Also speaking at the briefing, the President and Chairman of Council CIBN, Professor Pius Deji Olanrewaju, emphasised the role everyone plays in economic development.

He noted that the conference communiqué, as usual, will be sent to ministries to facilitate the implementation of key policy recommendations.

“In this current dispensation, rather than just handing over recommendations, we will actively monitor their implementation.

“We will engage with the minister, commissioners, the president, and the vice president, who, incidentally, is a former banker,” Olanrewaju assured.

Olanrewaju also outlined his administration’s agenda, encapsulated in the acronym LEGACY: Leading an Innovative Financial System, Entrenching Ethics, Professionalism, and Integrity; Gender, Generational, and Geographical Diversity; Accelerating the Institute’s Vision; Competence in the Banking and Finance Industry to Aid National Development; and Youth and Entrepreneurial Engagement.

Since its establishment 61 years ago, the institute has grown in relevance and continues to record outstanding accomplishments.

Olanrewaju noted that its membership has expanded to over 180,000, making it the largest in Africa and one of the largest globally.

“As the conscience of the industry, the Institute continues to uphold ethics and professionalism while supporting the economy,” he said.

One of the CIBN’s key mandates is capacity building, equipping banking professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the ever-changing banking and finance landscape.

In this regard, Olanrewaju expressed excitement about hosting the largest gathering of banking and finance professionals in Africa.

The Annual Banking and Finance Conference is the flagship event of the CIBN, held annually to provide a platform for all stakeholders in the banking and finance industry—including policymakers, regulators, operators, the academic community, clients, bank customers, and players in the financial services ecosystem—to share experiences and exchange ideas on contemporary issues affecting the sector and the broader economy.

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