The Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) will bring together top policymakers, financial regulators, banking executives, fintech innovators, economists and capital market operators in Lagos next month to examine the impact of major reforms currently reshaping Nigeria’s financial system and the wider economy.
The association will hold its 36th Anniversary Annual Conference on September 19 and 20, 2026, with the theme, “Building on the Gains of Recapitalisation, Tax Reform and Fintech Revolution.”

The two-day conference will take place at Orchid Hotels, Dreamworld Africana Way, Lekki, Lagos, and will focus on how the reforms can be consolidated to support stronger economic growth, attract higher investment inflows, expand financial inclusion and build a more resilient financial system.
The conference comes at a time when the banking industry is undergoing a major recapitalisation exercise, while the Federal Government is implementing a new tax regime and financial technology continues to transform the delivery of financial services, payments and other financial products.

Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, will deliver the keynote address, while the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Dr Oliver Alawuba, will serve as guest speaker.
The programme will feature panel discussions involving representatives of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the Fintech Association of Nigeria, Opay Digital Services Limited, Providus Bank and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

The panel sessions will examine key issues arising from the banking recapitalisation programme, tax reforms and the rapid expansion of financial technology in Nigeria.
Chairman of FICAN, Chima Titus Nwokoji, described the conference as a strategic platform for reviewing the progress of the ongoing reforms and identifying practical steps to sustain economic growth.

Nwokoji said the conference was coming at a defining period for the Nigerian economy, with banking recapitalisation, tax reforms and the expansion of fintech changing the financial services landscape.
“This year’s conference comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s economy. Banking recapitalisation, tax reforms and the rapid expansion of financial technology are reshaping the financial services landscape,” he said.

“Our objective is to bring together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to assess the gains recorded so far and develop practical recommendations that will deepen financial stability, promote inclusive growth and enhance investor confidence.”
He said the conference would also examine how Nigeria could sustain investor confidence, strengthen financial stability, accelerate digital innovation and ensure that the benefits of the reforms translate into tangible improvements for businesses and ordinary Nigerians.

FICAN, which brings together about 150 journalists and editors covering the financial industry across print, electronic and online platforms, has for 36 years promoted responsible financial journalism and informed public discussion on economic policies.
Nwokoji said the association would continue to use the annual conference to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss major developments affecting the financial sector and the economy.

According to the organisers, discussions at this year’s conference will cover the implementation of the banking recapitalisation programme and its implications for the financial system and the economy.
Participants will also examine the impact of Nigeria’s new tax regime on businesses, investors and the economy, as well as the continued evolution of financial technology and its role in transforming financial services.

The future of digital payments, financial inclusion, capital market development, insurance penetration, foreign investment and long-term economic resilience will also form part of the discussions.
The programme will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive sessions involving experts from the banking, insurance, capital market, fintech and public sectors.

The organisers said the event was designed not only to assess the reforms but also to explore how the different sectors of the financial system could work together to maximise their benefits.
FICAN expects the conference to produce a communiqué containing concrete recommendations for the Federal Government, regulators and industry operators on ways to sustain the reforms, attract investment, accelerate financial inclusion and strengthen the financial sector.

Beyond the formal sessions, the conference will provide a networking platform for policymakers, regulators, investors, financial institutions, corporate executives, development partners and media practitioners to exchange ideas and explore possible areas of collaboration.
The association said Nigeria was currently at a pivotal point in its economic transformation, with reforms in banking, taxation, financial technology and broader macroeconomic management creating both new opportunities and fresh policy challenges.

It noted that the banking recapitalisation programme, tax reforms and fintech revolution could significantly influence the country’s economic direction if properly implemented and sustained.
FICAN stressed that robust engagement among regulators, financial institutions, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders would be important in consolidating the gains of the reforms and supporting sustainable national growth.

The annual FICAN conference has evolved over the years into one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for high-level policy dialogue on issues affecting the financial system and the wider economy.
The 2026 edition is therefore expected to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to review the progress made, identify remaining challenges and develop practical measures to ensure that ongoing financial sector reforms deliver stronger institutions, increased investment, greater financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth.