The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) is setting the stage for what it calls a “tech-driven reset” of Nigeria’s banking industry, positioning technology and policy as twin pillars for the sector’s transformation. In a financial landscape where artificial intelligence, digital currencies, and embedded finance are redefining how banks operate, the institute’s plan comes at a time of both challenge and opportunity.
Speaking ahead of its 18th Annual Banking and Finance Conference, CIBN leaders emphasised that this year’s gathering will go beyond the usual talk shop. The aim is to provide actionable strategies for banking in a future where speed, security, and customer experience are dictated by digital innovation.
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Annual Banking & Finance Conference: A Defining Moment
Scheduled for 9–10 September 2025 in Abuja, with a hybrid format allowing participation from anywhere in the world, the conference is projected to attract over 10,000 participants—the largest audience yet. The theme, “The New Economic Playbook: The Intersection of Banking, Policy, and Technology,” reflects the institute’s recognition that Nigeria’s banking sector can no longer operate on outdated assumptions.
At a pre-event briefing in Lagos, Mrs Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of GTBank and Chair of the Conference Consultative Committee, observed that rapid technological change is rewriting the rules of global finance.
“With the advent of digital currencies, embedded finance, AI-driven systems, evolving consumer expectations, and geopolitical shifts, the old economic playbook no longer works,” she said. “We need new strategies that blend innovation with sound policy.”
To spark such strategies, the conference will feature panels and keynote addresses from banking executives, regulators, fintech innovators, and policymakers. Discussions will cover topics like central bank digital currencies, regulatory tech, cyber-security, and the opportunities and risks of AI in financial services.
The conference’s pre-event welcome cocktail, themed “Unlocking Next-Gen Potentials in a Digitally Disruptive World,” is designed to inspire young professionals and millennials who are increasingly influencing how banks think and operate. According to Mrs Olusanya, this youth-focused session will highlight the fresh thinking needed for the sector to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.
A Platform for Sector-Wide Alignment
Prof Pius Deji Olanrewaju, President and Chairman of the Council at CIBN, framed the annual conference as more than a yearly tradition. “This is a pivotal platform for aligning the sector’s strategic direction,” he said. “It brings together regulators, operators, academics, and customers to exchange ideas and prepare for the challenges ahead.”
He explained that CIBN’s mandate includes professional capacity building, ethical banking practices, and policy advocacy—missions that intersect with the conference’s objectives. By gathering decision-makers under one roof, the institute hopes to ensure that the banking sector’s transformation is not left to chance but is guided by shared priorities.
The event will also provide space for networking between established industry leaders and the next generation of bankers. This inter-generational dialogue is vital, Prof Olanrewaju noted, because “today’s digital disruptions require both the wisdom of experience and the agility of youth.”
Why a Tech-Driven Reset Matters Now
The call for a tech-driven reset comes at a time when Nigeria’s banking sector is facing both unprecedented opportunities and pressing challenges. The rapid uptake of mobile banking, the rise of fintech platforms, and the increasing sophistication of cyber-threats are forcing banks to adapt or risk irrelevance.
For customers, digital transformation has meant greater convenience—but also heightened expectations. Nigerians now demand faster transactions, better security, and more personalised services. In this environment, banks that cling to outdated systems risk losing market share to more agile competitors, including non-bank players.
CIBN’s approach is to encourage a proactive embrace of technology—backed by sound policy—to create a banking ecosystem that is resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive. The institute believes that aligning innovation with robust regulation will help address gaps in trust, financial inclusion, and operational efficiency.
Furthermore, the conference’s focus on policy is no coincidence. In recent years, regulatory decisions—from cashless policy enforcement to cryptocurrency restrictions—have significantly shaped how banks and customers interact. Bringing policymakers into direct conversation with practitioners could help bridge the gap between regulation and market realities.
Looking Beyond the Conference
While the September conference is the headline event, CIBN leaders stress that it is only part of a broader commitment to driving the sector’s evolution. The institute has ongoing initiatives aimed at digital literacy, ethical banking, and leadership development.
The conversations in Abuja are expected to generate a set of recommendations that will inform both industry practices and policy advocacy in the coming years. In this way, CIBN hopes to ensure that the reset is not just a momentary slogan but a sustained movement toward a future-ready banking sector.
For Nigeria, success in this transformation could mean more than healthier balance sheets. A truly tech-driven, policy-aligned banking system could enhance economic resilience, boost investor confidence, and expand financial inclusion—critical ingredients for long-term growth in Africa’s largest economy.
As Mrs Olusanya put it, “The stakes are high, but so are the opportunities. If we get this right, Nigeria’s banking sector can lead not just in Africa, but on the global stage.”
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