The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has elected new officers, marking a key leadership transition as it seeks to strengthen the institute’s role in Nigeria’s financial sector.

This followed an online voting process, with the results announced on Saturday at its 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 1st Vice President and Dr Peter Ashade as 2nd Vice President. At the same time, Dr Haruna Musa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jaiz Bank, was elected National Treasurer.

Speaking on the achievements of his tenure, the outgoing 23rd President, Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaji, said the administration had successfully implemented its ‘Legacy Agenda’, aimed at raising the standard of excellence within the institute.

He said: “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.”

Olanrewaju said the institute recorded significant financial growth during his tenure, adding that beyond financial performance, the administration undertook 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 noted that membership also increased by nearly 7,000, while examination cycles were expanded to four times a year, alongside the introduction of a remote examination system that allows candidates to sit for exams from anywhere in the world.

Addressing challenges faced during his tenure, Olanrewaji said resistance to change was expected but was gradually overcome through teamwork and a shared commitment to progress.

Olanrewaju noted, “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 also highlighted the institute’s involvement 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 mentioned.

The President-Elect, Alabi, described his emergence as part of a continuous leadership process within the institute and outlined plans to deepen its impact both locally and globally.

He said, “Leadership at CIBN is a continuum. This is not just a transition of leadership, it is a transition into transformation.”

Alabi stated that his vision is to move the institute beyond incremental progress to broader expansion and influence.

“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 mentioned.

Alabi added that his administration would prioritise inclusion, with a focus on empowering women and young people, while strengthening the role of bankers in supporting the country’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.

He also pledged to expand membership and invest in the development of professionals within the institute, noting that a strong financial system remains critical to 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.