CIBN Reaffirms Sector Stability, Deepens Inclusive Reforms

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has reaffirmed the resilience of the Nigerian banking sector, while spotlighting bold steps taken under its current leadership to promote inclusivity across gender, age, and regions.

In a strong public statement on Monday, the Institute dismissed circulating reports questioning the health of certain financial institutions, insisting that depositors have no cause for alarm.

“The Nigerian banking sector remains resilient, safe, and sound,” CIBN said, adding that regulated institutions are subject to strict oversight and risk-monitoring mechanisms. “There is no concern regarding the safety of depositors’ funds,” it assured.

Beyond risk assurance, the Institute also highlighted milestones in its gender, generational, and regional inclusion strategy. Speaking on progress made since assuming office, Professor Pius Deji Olanrewaju, Ph.D, FCIB, the 23rd President and Chairman of Council, said CIBN had deliberately opened up leadership and staffing structures to reflect diversity.

“In our commitment to inclusivity, we constituted our Governing Council and Committees with deliberate gender, age, and geopolitical balance,” Professor Olanrewaju said. The Institute, under its LEGACY Agenda, also recruited 11 new staff from the next-generation demography with a conscious effort toward gender and regional equity.

Women-focused initiatives took center stage during the review period. A landmark stakeholder engagement between CIBN’s LEGACY team and the Association of Professional Women Bankers (APWB) produced the body’s first-ever policy paper, Gender Equity and Macroeconomic Trends in Banking, which was unveiled at the 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference.

CIBN’s inclusivity push also extended to grassroots financial literacy. Engagements were held with all 37 state branches across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and international chapters to discuss operational improvements and locally tailored strategies. A regional conference is planned before the year ends.

On financial inclusion, CIBN facilitated seminars and advocacy programmes across regions. Notably, its UK branch held a seminar themed “De-Risking and Financial Inclusion,” while the Institute also participated in the January 2025 “She’s Included” Gender Inclusion Conference hosted by the Office of the Vice President.

In another first, the Institute hosted its maiden Ramadan Lecture in March 2025. Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, Chief Missioner of NASFAT Worldwide, spoke on ethics and professionalism in banking during the session attended by senior finance executives.

Townhall events tagged “CIBN Reconnect” brought together older members to share reflections and reinforce a culture of mentorship. Separate forums targeted license holders and young professionals, with engagements for Gen Z and millennials gaining traction during the 2024 Banking Conference.

Professor Olanrewaju concluded by reiterating the Institute’s commitment to an inclusive, secure, and future-ready financial ecosystem. “We will continue to adapt and refine strategies to protect depositors and ensure the financial sector remains a catalyst for national development.”