The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria has inaugurated Professor Pius Deji Olanrenwaju as the new president/chairman of the Council.
Olanrewaju was sworn in by Justice Owolabi Dabiri at an event held in Lagos today, Friday, May 17 2024 and was chaired by Wole Olanipekun, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Pius Deji Olanrenwaju took over from Dr. Ken Opara, the 22nd president and chairman of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
Dr. Opara who concluded his tenure on a high note, received glowing tributes from fellow leaders in the financial sector.
In a farewell speech, the immediate past president emphasised the importance of building a sustainable future for the banking industry.
He urged leaders to focus on strategies that empower the next generation of bankers with essential skills and foster a culture of innovation.
Reacting to the emergence of the new leadership of CIBN, Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the House of Representatives, who was represented by Nwachukwu Eze, the chairman, of the House Committee on Banking, hailed the immediate past CIBN president, Ken Opara and called on the new leadership of the organization to embrace technology to boost financial inclusion.
Abbas said, “Today, as you welcome the incoming president and new chairman of the Council, we also reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The banking sector is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifts in customer behaviour.
“In the face of these types of changes, the CIBN must remain steadfast in its commitment to excellence and innovation. The incoming leadership must embrace new ideas and emerging technologies and foster collaboration within the industry to navigate these challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
“As we look to the future, we must not lose sight of the importance of financial inclusion and sustainable development. Despite progress has been made in expanding access to financial services.
Millions of Nigerians remain on the side or excluded from the formal banking sector. It is incumbent upon all stakeholders including the CIBN to redouble your efforts to promote financial literacy, expand access to finance, and foster inclusive growth, that leaves no one behind.”
Meanwhile, the managing director/chief executive officer of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Bello Hassan, called on banking sector players to pay attention to cybersecurity, saying, “In this regard, a deliberate and collaborative approach to cyber risk involving all stakeholders is essential to protect the resilience of the banking system.”
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