L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive, Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Victor Olannye; Divisional Head, Risk Management Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Grace Abioye; Immediate Past President, CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni; President, CRMI and Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kevin Ugwuoke; Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Amal Haruna; and Rep. Keynote speaker, Deputy Group Management Director, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Chukwuma Nweke; at the CRMI Conferment Handover/Sent-Forth ceremony, held in Lagos recently.

Kevin Ugwuoke, Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc has formally assumed office as President of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI).

His leadership promises a reform-focused era anchored on policy advocacy, ethical standards, and digital innovation to deepen risk governance across sectors in the country.

Speaking during the presidential handover ceremony in Lagos over the weekend, Ugwuoke — who also doubles as acting President of the Federation of African Risk Management Associations (FARMA) — described his election as “a call to action.”

He pledged to reposition CRMI as a thought leader and institutional partner in shaping the future of risk management in Nigeria’s national development.

“Our mission is more than just certification; it’s about strengthening the culture of risk governance across sectors. We will collaborate with regulators, raise awareness, and provide practical tools to help organizations embed risk discipline at all levels.”

Ugwuoke outlined a five-pronged strategy to guide his administration: strengthening professional education and certification; deepening policy and regulatory engagement; accelerating digital transformation; integrating ESG and climate risk into corporate strategies; and mentoring the next generation of risk practitioners.

He explained that CRMI will align its initiatives with key policy institutions — including the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, the National Assembly, and sub-national governments — to help embed robust risk frameworks into economic development plans.

“We must integrate risk thinking into how we plan, govern, and invest. We will advocate for more inclusive regulations to empower small and medium enterprises, improve macroeconomic stability, and foster institutional resilience.”

Ugwuoke also announced plans to revise the Institute’s curriculum, introduce specialised certifications to reflect emerging risks, and implement a new National Risk Observatory to provide real-time risk data to both the public and private sectors.

“Digital innovation will be central to how CRMI operates going forward. We are automating our backend, delivering more virtual training, and employing technology to scale our impact across the country and beyond.”

In his remarks, the outgoing President of CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni, challenged the new leadership to consolidate on the achievements made under his tenure — from securing chartered status and strengthening partnerships to gaining greater international recognition — and take the Institute to the next level.

Also speaking on the occasion, Chukwuma Nweke, deputy managing director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, described Ugwuoke as a worthy successor.

“As Professor Oseni hands over the baton to Kevin Ugwuoke — a well-respected leader in the risk management ecosystem — we are assured CRMI is poised for greater achievements under his watch.”

Nweke stressed that growing economic uncertainties — from inflation and exchange rate volatility to growing debt — underscore the need for a more strategic view of risk. “Risk must be recognised not as a compliance obligation or a cost center but as a key enabler of resiliency and growth. Institutions that embed risk into their strategies will absorb shocks more effectively, unlock value, and inspire investor confidence.”

As part of the day’s ceremonies, 11 distinguished practitioners were conferred with the Fellow of Chartered Risk Manager (FCRMI) award, while 21 new members were formally inducted as Chartered Risk Managers (CRM).

Furthermore, a new Governing Council was inaugurated to oversee the affairs of the Institute for the 2025–2027 term, marking a decisive step forward in institutional renewal and policy direction.

Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, this June, invites women across Nigeria to experience a celebration like no other, Bloom Weekend 2025, a dynamic, immersive, and transformational event designed to empower women to break barriers, build legacies, and scale new heights. The event is scheduled to take place from Friday, 20 June, to Saturday, 21 June 2025.

Rooted in the spirit of the Stanbic IBTC Blue Blossom Community, Bloom Weekend is more than a gathering, it’s a movement dedicated to accelerating women’s leadership, financial independence, and entrepreneurial success. This year’s theme, “Bloom Into More,” sets the stage for what promises to be a weekend packed with innovative ideas, vibrant networking, and real-world opportunities.

Attendees would immerse themselves in a lineup of high-impact sessions, where Nigeria’s trailblazing female executives, business moguls, and entrepreneurs will share their journeys and lessons learnt. This year’s event will commence with an SME Entrepreneurship Summit anchored by the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan Atlantic University. The training is set to equip participants with practical strategies on how to structure and grow their businesses. Featuring a robust curriculum curated by the Enterprise Data Centre, participants would be awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the session. For many, this would be the opportunity that would help transform their passions into profitable, sustainable enterprises.

Another highlight of the weekend is the LADIES AT THE TABLE EMPOWERMENT SERIES (LATTES) panel, an engaging live event featuring inspiring women leaders. The keynote address will be delivered by Patience Torlowei, Founder of Torlowei. Confirmed panelists include Eunice Showunmi, Aderinsola Adeyemi, Olayide Odediran, Hawa Magaji, and Oler Oladele, each poised to share their expertise and insights on the theme.

The Bloom Hub will feature a lively marketplace of women-led businesses, offering attendees a chance to discover and support innovative brands. Simultaneously, there would be masterclasses hosted by CEO of Arami Essentials, Ore Lawani and Founder, DictionwithDerin Aderinsola Adeyemi, while Stanbic IBTC’s advisory teams would be available onsite, providing personalised financial consultations to guide attendees on how to achieve their financial dreams.

“Our vision for Bloom Weekend 2025 goes beyond inspiration,” said Olajumoke Bello, Head, Enterprise Business, Stanbic IBTC Bank. “We are committed to action, real mentorship, real funding opportunities and real partnerships. We are building a community where every woman can find the tools, connections, and confidence to achieve more.”

In addition to the main sessions, participants would enjoy vibrant experiential activations and get the opportunity to sign up to the Blue Blossom online community of female business owners. From wellness activities like yoga and massages to games and a vibrant kiddies’ corner, the 2025 Bloom Weekend is guaranteed to be a wholesome 360-degree experience for all who would be in attendance.

The Bloom Weekend is open to all women including established and emerging entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, innovators in tech, young professionals, and all women ready to invest in their future.

Nigeria’s most forward-looking financial institution, Sterling Bank, has announced an over ₦2 billion commitment for fully-funded private university scholarships for young Nigerians. Unveiled on Democracy Day, the initiative titled Beyond Education, represents a decisive step towards building the country’s future leaders by dismantling the barriers that keep millions of Nigerians from accessing quality, future-focused learning.

This is one of the largest private sector investments ever made in a single Nigerian tertiary institution. It extends Sterling’s longstanding commitment to the HEART sectors: Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation.

The bank has deployed over half a trillion naira in financing and development programs across these critical areas.

“Progress is not a spectator sport,” said Abubakar Suleiman, Chief Executive of Sterling Bank. “While others talk about Nigeria’s potential, we are actively investing in it. These scholarships are direct investments in the architects of our future. We are funding the education of future leaders who will build the companies, systems, institutions and solutions Nigeria needs to thrive.”

The Sterling Beyond Education program will fully sponsor 600 students to study high-impact fields such as Technology, Finance, Sales, and Public Health. It is open to young Nigerians from all 36 states and the FCT, with a merit-based and inclusive admissions process.

Candidates can nominate themselves or be nominated by others, and final selection will be determined through a public voting process open exclusively to Sterling account holders.

“This is what inclusive investment looks like,” said Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive leading the Retail & Consumer Banking Directorate at Sterling Bank. “This initiative goes beyond access to education, it’s access to a future. Education remains the most valuable asset anyone can have, and we’re proud to stand behind young Nigerians as they claim it.”

The pilot program is in partnership with Miva University, founded by renowned tech entrepreneur, Sim Shagaya. Fully accredited by the National Universities Commission, Miva is redefining higher education in Africa with scalable, affordable, and flexible programs tailored to the demands of the digital economy.

The program also reflects Sterling’s advocacy for organisations to shift from short-term philanthropy to long-term ecosystem development. With deep investments in digitised healthcare, school financing, agricultural cooperatives, solar energy, and low-cost transport systems, Sterling is building pathways to inclusive prosperity.

“We’re moving beyond charity,” Suleiman said. “This is about building systems that last and it is much bigger than hundreds of scholarships. It’s about the future of those brilliant young minds we build for our country.”

Nominations are now open at www.sterling.ng/FUTURE. As Africa’s youth population continues to grow, initiatives like Beyond Education may point to a new blueprint for private sector leadership, one where impact is measured not just in profit, but in people empowered.

About Sterling Bank

Sterling Bank is a leading Nigerian commercial bank and one of Africa’s most progressive financial institutions, widely recognised for its bold approach to customer advocacy and ethical banking.

From eliminating local transfer fees through its OneBank platform to championing inclusive access to capital, the bank has consistently led with impact. Renowned for its HEART of Sterling strategy, which focuses major investments into the Healthcare, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation sectors of the Nigerian economy, Sterling continues to build innovative solutions that go beyond banking to enable dignity, mobility, and opportunity for millions of Nigerians.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debunked a news story in circulation suggesting that the Bank has extended the deadline for the recapitalisation of Bureau De Change (BDC) operators to December 31, 2025.

The CBN, through its Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, described the information as false, misleading, and stated that it should be disregarded.

According to her, the Bank has not granted any such extension beyond the previously communicated deadline of June 3, 2025.

She consequently urged the general public, journalists, media platforms, and all stakeholders to consistently verify information directly from official CBN sources, such as the Bank’s website and authorised communication channels, before publishing or sharing news about the Bank and its regulatory directives.

The CBN remains committed to ensuring transparency, stability, and compliance in the foreign exchange market and will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in accordance with its statutory mandate,” Sidi Ali noted.

As part of the revised framework introduced in February 2024, BDCs are required to meet new minimum capital requirements: ₦2 billion for Tier-1 and ₦500 million for Tier-2 operators.

Stanbic IBTC Capital, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, sponsored the 16th Honours Nite of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos State Branch. The prestigious event held at the Lagos Continental Hotel featured the theme “Inspiring Excellence, Shaping the Future.”

This year’s Honours Nite served as a platform to recognise and celebrate exceptional achievements in the real estate and development ecosystem, bringing together industry leaders, corporate partners, and public sector decision-makers.

Stanbic IBTC Capital’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence was evident through the Stanbic IBTC Residential Development of the Period Award, which honoured projects demonstrating significant market influence and superior execution.

Biufort Homes Limited’s Greenwich Gardens (Ketu) won the Silver Award, while UPDC Plc’s The Hampshire earned the Gold Award for its outstanding design, execution, and strategic contribution to the premium residential landscape.

In his opening remarks, Gbenga Ismail, Chairman of the NIESV Lagos State Branch, emphasised the importance of value-driven service: “Honours Nite gives us the chance to highlight the excellence and integrity inherent in our profession. While we celebrate today’s achievers, we set a precedent for a future that embraces innovation.”

The NIESV Lagos Branch plays a crucial role in promoting best practices and enhancing the real estate profession throughout Nigeria. The 16th Honours Nite not only acknowledged achievements but also   reaffirmed NIESV’s mission to cultivate a built environment characterised by excellence, ethics, and service to society.

Commenting on the event, Oladele Sotubo, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Capital, stated:

“At Stanbic IBTC Capital, we believe that excellence in the real estate sector is necessary for sustainable growth and community development. By supporting events like the NIESV Honours Nite, we underscore our commitment to recognising and empowering the professionals who shape our built environment. Together, we can inspire innovation and uphold the highest standards, ensuring a future where quality housing and ethical practices thrive in Nigeria.”

L-R: Team Lead, Human Resource and Business Partner East and South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osayi Uwumarongie; Principal, Government Junior Secondary School Elekahia, Port Harcourt; Dr Ekeh Florence; Team Lead, CSR, Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; and Procurement Officer/Class President, Suncrest 2025 Inductees Class, Fidelity Bank Plc, Euphemia Okereafor; during the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme Donation to Government Secondary School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State  recently.

In furtherance of its long-standing commitment to education and youth development, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has donated a wide range of relief and academic materials to Government Junior Secondary School, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The donation was made possible by the unwavering dedication and generosity of a class of newly inducted staff, known as the Suncrest Inductee Class, under the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP).

Through the FHHP, staff across Fidelity Bank’s business locations identify projects that impact their immediate community and raise funds to execute them. The bank’s management thereafter matches this contribution with an equal amount and disburses it for the selected project.

Speaking about the donation event, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, noted the bank’s dedication to fostering community development and supporting children from underprivileged backgrounds.

“We deliberately chose a public school because we understand the challenges many students face. Our aim is to provide support that not only aids academic performance but also inspires hope for a brighter future,” said Dr Nwagboh.

He highlighted that the Bank’s initiative for school and students has spanned 15 years with numerous schools as beneficiaries nationwide.

“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that investing in the next generation is a direct investment in the future of our country. This initiative is deeply rooted in our philosophy of grooming responsible future leaders and promoting social equity, with our members of staff being able to significantly contribute right from their early days in the bank” he affirmed.

In her remarks, the Principal, Government Junior Secondary School, Elekahia, Dr. Ekeh Florence, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Fidelity Bank for its generous gesture.

“We are sincerely grateful that Fidelity Bank remembered the students of our school. The materials they provided – which includes exercise books, biros, socks, footwear, sanitary items such as pads and shaving sticks, and even snacks – will go a long way in boosting the morale and academic readiness of our students,” Dr. Ekeh stated.

The students expressed their joy and appreciation, describing the donation as the first of its kind from any corporate organisation. Many pledged to make the best use of the materials to improve their academic performance and personal development.

About Fidelity Bank Plc

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognised as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.