Tinubu, Cardoso, to Headline 2026 Banking And Finance Conference

President Bola Tinubu and the Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, are among dignitaries to headline the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria’s (CIBN)19th Annual Banking and Finance Conference in September.
The Chairman of the Conference Consultative Committee, Mr Moruf Oseni, said this at a media briefing on Tuesday in Lagos.
Oseni, who is the Managing Director of Wema Bank, was represented by Mr Segun Opeke, Executive Director, South West.
He said the conference would hold from Sept. 8 to Sept. 9 at in Abuja, with physical and virtual participation from Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Some other expected dignitaries are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Mr Matthew Verghese, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, would deliver the keynote address.
Oseni said the 19th Annual Banking and Finance Conference would focus on economic resilience amid technological and geopolitical disruptions.
He said the theme, “Building a Resilient Economy in an Era of Disruption: Strategic Imperatives for the Banking and Financial Services Industry”, reflected the challenges facing economies and financial institutions globally.
He said discussions would cover geopolitical uncertainties, technological disruption, cybersecurity threats, climate risks, changing customer expectations and evolving regulatory requirements.
He described the conference as CIBN’s major knowledge sharing and solution driven platform for policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, development partners, technology providers, academics and business leaders.
Oseni said resolutions from the conference would be documented and forwarded to relevant stakeholders and policymakers to support decision making and policy formulation.
He said Verghese would deliver the keynote address, while other speakers would discuss financial resilience, macroeconomic stability and digital transformation.
“The conference will feature three business sessions covering Nigeria’s financial system, women and inclusive leadership, and cyber and systemic risks associated with artificial intelligence.
“The first session will examine capitalisation, artificial intelligence and geopolitical dynamics in building a financial system that supports Nigeria’s prosperity.
“The second session will focus on women and inclusive leadership, particularly their strategic role in building resilient financial ecosystems,” he said.
Oseni said the third session would examine cyber and systemic risks associated with artificial intelligence and their implications for financial stability and business resilience.
He said programmes for young professionals, entrepreneurs and students would also be introduced to prepare them for leadership in a digital and technology driven financial services industry.
He said that a women focused programme would be introduced for the first time in the history of the Institute and the conference.
Earlier, CIBN President and Chairman of Council, Dr Dele Alabi, said more than 10,000 delegates were expected to participate physically and virtually.
Alabi said the conference was timely, given technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainties, cybersecurity threats, changing customer expectations and climate related challenges.
He said disruptions to global trade and critical supply chains, including those linked to the Strait of Hormuz, underscored the need for Nigeria to strengthen its economic resilience.
Alabi said CIBN’s new strategic direction, known as the “IMPACT Vision”, focused on inclusion, professionalism, accountability, skills development, and technology, automation and innovation.
He said the Institute would promote geographical, gender and generational inclusion while strengthening professionalism and ethical conduct, stressing that trust remains fundamental to banking.
“Banking is all about trust. If trust is taken out of the equation, there is no banking,” he said.
Alabi said CIBN would review its professional syllabus to reflect emerging developments and equip bankers with relevant skills.
He urged banks and professionals to embrace AI while managing cybersecurity and identity theft risks.
The CIBN President said the Institute would continue working with stakeholders to promote a resilient, innovative, ethical and globally competitive banking industry.