By Abiodun JIMOH
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the African Union (AU), African Development Bank (AfDB), and Afreximbank to support the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) in tackling the rising wave of global risks confronting Africa.
Speaking at the 24th International CRMI Conference in Lagos, Shettima—represented by the Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Dr. Nurudeen Zauro—stressed the importance of strengthened continental collaboration in addressing risks ranging from climate change and cybersecurity to pandemics, terrorism, and disruptive technologies.
“For over two decades, the Institute has been a beacon of foresight, resilience, and preparedness,” Shettima said. “Risk management is not just a profession—it is a discipline of national importance. The establishment of the Federation of African Risk Management Association marks a historic milestone, positioning Africa to address risks on its own terms.”
The Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to risk mitigation, highlighting initiatives such as #SheIsIncluded, launched in January 2025, to support women’s inclusion in economic activities. He also noted the importance of community-based early warning systems for floods and droughts, microinsurance schemes, and social protection for farmers.
Delivering the keynote, CRMI President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Kelvin Ugwuoke, emphasized the need for home-grown strategies in tackling global disruptions such as food insecurity, artificial intelligence, cyber threats, and climate change. He disclosed that a bill is currently before the National Assembly to formally entrench risk management into national policy.
Also speaking, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, represented by the CBN Director of Risk Management, Dr. Blaise Ijebor, commended CRMI for championing risk awareness in Nigeria. “Global risks do not respect borders. Our reforms integrate risk awareness into financial planning to safeguard economic stability amid uncertainties,” he said.
Similarly, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, represented by Permanent Secretary Raymond Omachi, underscored the need for recent reforms, including subsidy removal and exchange rate unification. “Risk management is not about predicting the future, but preparing for it. The future will be defined not by the storms we face, but by the solutions we craft,” he added.
The conference, themed “Global Risks, Local Solutions,” convened policymakers, business leaders, and experts to deliberate on strategies to localize risk management practices. It reinforced Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing risk management as a tool for economic stability, resilience, and sustainable development.
About CRMI
The Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), established by Act No. 39 of 2022 and founded on March 29, 2000, is Nigeria’s national professional body for risk management. The Institute promotes best practices, education, research, and advocacy, and offers the flagship Chartered Risk Manager (CRM) certification, professional training, and Mandatory Continuing Professional Education (MCPE) to advance the discipline nationwide.
