Alabi Emerges 24th President of CIBN

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has elected new national officers, ushering in a fresh leadership phase aimed at strengthening the institute’s influence in the country’s financial sector.

The election, conducted online, was ratified at the institute’s 2026 Annual General Meeting held at the Bankers House in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Dr. Oladele Alabi was elected as the 24th President of the institute. He will serve alongside Dr. Mojisola Asiru-Sweet as First Vice President and Dr. Peter Ashade as Second Vice President, while Dr. Haruna Musa, Managing Director/CEO of Jaiz Bank, emerged as National Treasurer.

Reflecting on his tenure, the outgoing President, Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, said his administration successfully delivered on its “Legacy Agenda,” which focused on elevating standards and reinforcing excellence within the institute.

He highlighted notable achievements, including improved financial performance, renovation of the institute’s headquarters with modern facilities, and significant technological upgrades that enabled wider virtual participation. According to him, over 20,000 members were able to join the AGM remotely.

Olanrewaju also revealed that membership grew by nearly 7,000 during his tenure. In addition, the institute expanded its examination schedule to four cycles annually and introduced remote examination options, allowing candidates to write exams from any location globally.

He acknowledged that the reforms initially faced resistance but noted that members eventually embraced the changes in the interest of growth and progress.

The outgoing president further pointed to the institute’s collaboration with the Federal Government and other bodies in a national initiative to train 10 million Nigerians—particularly women and youths—in financial literacy and digital skills. He described the initiative as a critical step toward achieving financial inclusion and national development.

In his acceptance remarks, Alabi described his emergence as part of a continuous leadership evolution within the institute, pledging to build on existing achievements while driving transformational growth.

He emphasised his vision to expand the institute’s impact both locally and internationally, stating that his administration would pursue rapid and strategic growth beyond incremental progress.

Alabi also pledged to prioritise inclusiveness, with a strong focus on empowering women and young professionals, while reinforcing the role of bankers in supporting Nigeria’s economic development.

He reaffirmed his commitment to expanding membership, enhancing professional development, and strengthening the financial system to contribute meaningfully to national growth.