The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria has elected new officers, marking a leadership transition aimed at strengthening the institute’s role in Nigeria’s financial sector.
Gatekeepers News reports that the outcome followed an online voting process, with results announced on Saturday during the institute’s 2026 yearly general meeting held at the Bankers House in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Dr. Oladele Alabi emerged as the 24th President of the institute. He will be supported by Dr. Mojisola Asiru-Sweet as First Vice President and Dr. Peter Ashade as Second Vice President, while Dr. Haruna Musa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jaiz Bank, was elected National Treasurer.
Speaking on the achievements recorded during his tenure, the outgoing 23rd President, Pius Deji Olanrewaji, said his administration successfully implemented its “Legacy Agenda,” which focused on raising the institute’s standard of excellence.
“We want to thank God that when we took over on May 17, 2024, we came with an agenda which we call the Legacy Agenda. The whole purpose was for us to leave a legacy of excellence and to raise the bar of excellence that our institution is noted for,” he said.
Olanrewaji noted that the institute experienced notable financial growth during the period. Beyond financial performance, he said the administration carried out visible improvements, including remodelling the CIBN building and upgrading its technological capacity.
“If you look into the CIBN building today, we have remodelled the whole building with state-of-the-art facilities, and also in the areas of technology, we have done that. That is why about 20,000 members could join us virtually today,” he explained.
He added that membership rose by nearly 7,000 during his tenure, while the institute expanded its examination cycles to four times a year and introduced a remote examination system that enables candidates to sit for tests from anywhere in the world.
Addressing challenges encountered during the period, Olanrewaji said resistance to change was expected but was eventually overcome through collaboration and shared commitment.
“Like every institution, especially when you are coming with some fundamental changes, there is bound to be resistance, but along the line, people accommodated that change and realised it is inevitable for growth,” he said.
He also highlighted the institute’s participation in a national initiative to train 10 million Nigerians—particularly women and youths—in financial literacy and digital skills, in collaboration with the federal government and other professional bodies.
“The ultimate goal is financial inclusion. If these millions are trained on how to use technology for payments and transactions, it will serve as a catalyst for the overall development of the nation,” he said.
The President-Elect, Oladele Alabi, described his emergence as part of an ongoing leadership process within the institute and outlined plans to expand its influence both locally and internationally.
“Leadership at CIBN is a continuum. This is not just a transition of leadership, it is a transition into transformation,” he said.
Alabi said his vision is to move the institute beyond incremental progress toward broader expansion and impact.
“My vision is to ensure that we are not only strong within the local environment but also able to create impact in the global environment. We want to move in quantum leaps, not just in arithmetical growth but geometrical growth,” he added.
He also pledged to prioritise inclusion, with emphasis on empowering women and young people, while strengthening the role of bankers in supporting Nigeria’s economic development.
“We want to be gender sensitive, inclusive for women, and ensure that the institute continues to contribute significantly to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy,” he said.
Alabi further stated that his administration would focus on expanding membership and investing in the development of professionals within the institute, noting that a strong financial system remains vital for national growth.
“As bankers, we want to continue to play strongly in the financial intermediation space with a view to ensuring that we take the Nigerian economy to greater heights,” he said.
