The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has reaffirmed the strength and stability of the Nigerian banking sector, addressing public concerns and highlighting recent efforts to deepen inclusivity across gender, age, and regions.
In a public statement released Monday, the Institute dismissed reports questioning the sector’s health, assuring Nigerians that depositors’ funds remain safe. “The Nigerian banking sector remains resilient, safe, and sound,” CIBN stated, stressing that banks operate under rigorous oversight and risk-monitoring mechanisms.
Professor Pius Deji Olanrewaju, Ph.D, FCIB, the 23rd President and Chairman of Council, underscored achievements under the Institute’s LEGACY Agenda, noting deliberate steps taken to diversify leadership and staffing. “We constituted our Governing Council and Committees with deliberate gender, age, and geopolitical balance,” he said. CIBN also recruited 11 new staff from younger demographics, prioritizing equity in gender and regional representation.
Women empowerment featured prominently, with a milestone policy paper—Gender Equity and Macroeconomic Trends in Banking—developed in partnership with the Association of Professional Women Bankers (APWB) and launched during the 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference.
CIBN also expanded grassroots engagement, connecting with all 37 state branches and international chapters to promote financial literacy and operational improvements. A regional conference is planned later in the year to further localize the Institute’s outreach.
On financial inclusion, the UK branch hosted a seminar on “De-Risking and Financial Inclusion,” while the Institute participated in the “She’s Included” Gender Inclusion Conference organized by the Office of the Vice President in January 2025.
In a historic first, CIBN held a Ramadan Lecture in March 2025, where Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike of NASFAT Worldwide addressed banking ethics and professionalism. The Institute also hosted “CIBN Reconnect” townhalls for senior members and mentorship sessions for young professionals, including targeted engagements for Gen Z and millennials at the 2024 Banking Conference.
Professor Olanrewaju concluded by reaffirming CIBN’s commitment to sector stability and inclusive growth: “We will continue to refine our strategies to protect depositors and ensure the financial sector drives national development.”
