By Niyi Jacobs
The 59th Annual Bankers Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) took center stage on Friday, November 29, 2024, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
The event highlighted the banking sector’s resilience and celebrated the contributions of Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who were conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Institute.
The evening, described as a convergence of excellence, brought together regulators, operators, government officials, and other stakeholders from across the globe. Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, the President/Chairman of the CIBN Council, welcomed the distinguished audience, emphasizing the dinner’s significance in reflecting on the industry’s progress and forging future collaborations.
Prof. Olanrewaju commended Nigeria’s economic strides despite challenges such as inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. “The banking sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, as evidenced by the GDP growth from 2.98% in Q1 to 3.46% in Q3 2024,” he said. He further highlighted the success of the ongoing recapitalization exercise, positioning the financial industry for long-term sustainability.
A key highlight of the event was the investiture of Mr. Cardoso and Governor Sanwo-Olu as Fellows of the Institute. The CIBN President praised their exemplary careers, noting their alignment with the Institute’s core values of professionalism, integrity, and excellence.
Governor Sanwo-Olu was lauded for fostering an enabling environment for Lagos’s financial sector and his active support for CIBN’s initiatives. Meanwhile, Mr. Cardoso was celebrated for his visionary leadership at the Central Bank, which has guided Nigeria’s financial system through critical transitions.
This year’s dinner also spotlighted CIBN’s efforts in driving ethical practices and inclusivity in banking. Initiatives such as the Agency Banking Certification Programme and youth-oriented mentorship schemes were recognized as transformative contributions to the sector.
Prof. Olanrewaju extended gratitude to the Planning Committee, led by Mrs. Yemisi Edun of FCMB Plc, for the seamless organization of the event. As the evening drew to a close, he called on stakeholders to uphold excellence in advancing the country’s financial ecosystem.
The Annual Bankers Dinner continues to serve as a platform to celebrate achievements and reinforce the shared vision for a robust and inclusive financial system.
