The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Hassan Imam, has been conferred with the Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), the highest professional honour in the Nigerian banking industry.
The conferment took place on Saturday, November 1, 2025, during the Institute’s 2025 Investiture Ceremony held in Lagos. The event drew eminent personalities, government officials, captains of industry, and financial sector leaders, who gathered to celebrate excellence and leadership within the profession.
Mr. Imam was honoured alongside 40 other distinguished professionals for their exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s banking and financial services landscape. According to the CIBN, the fellowship recognises “visionary leadership, adherence to ethical standards, and consistent demonstration of excellence and innovation in banking practice.”
In his address, the President and Chairman of the Council of the CIBN, Professor Pius Olanrewaju, lauded Mr. Imam and other awardees for their exemplary professionalism and enduring impact on the nation’s financial system. He noted that the honourees had not only advanced institutional goals but had also contributed to the broader stability and growth of Nigeria’s economy through responsible banking practices.
Speaking shortly after receiving the honour, Mr. Imam expressed gratitude to the Institute for the recognition, describing the fellowship as both “humbling and inspiring.”
“I am truly honoured to receive this prestigious title from the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria,” he said. “This recognition is a testament to the collective effort of the teams and individuals I have had the privilege of working with throughout my career. It represents the shared values of integrity, professionalism, and innovation that define the Keystone Bank family.”
He added that the award reinforces his commitment to people-centred leadership and sustainable progress within the banking sector.
Mr. Imam, a seasoned banker with over three decades of experience, has built an illustrious career spanning treasury management, corporate banking, and strategic finance. Under his leadership, Keystone Bank has evolved into a digitally driven, customer-focused institution with strong roots in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The bank’s renewed emphasis on technological innovation, financial inclusion, and corporate social responsibility has positioned it as a key player in bridging financing gaps and supporting national development.
Mr. Imam holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Business School Netherlands (BSN), as well as an MSc in Treasury Management and an MSc in Banking and Finance from Bayero University, Kano. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
The fellowship marks another milestone in his distinguished career, reaffirming his place as a respected thought leader and an influential voice in Nigeria’s financial services industry.
