CEM REPORT, FINANCE | The Chartered Institute Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has directed its focus on building the younger generation in line with global discuss in recent times. This, Dr Ken Opara said has been a cardinal focus of his Agenda as 22nd President/Chairman of Council of the Institute.
In a World Press Briefing held Monday to announce the Maiden Edition of the CIBN Generation Next Forum, Dr Ken Opara PhD, excitedly hinged his burning passion on the fact that Nigeria has a very high population of youth that yearn for attention and grooming to position them to take over from today’s leaders.
According to Dr Opara, citing statistics, Nigeria has the largest population of youth in the world, with a median age of 18.1 years. About 70% of the population are under 30.
Dr Ken Opara, CIBN President
CIBN Generation Next Forum themed; “Industry 5.0 Banking Revolution: Insights for Generation Next”, is aimed at providing a robust platform for stakeholders to examine the criticality of the Fifth Industrial Revolution and its profound impact on the banking and finance industry especially as it affects this young generation.
The Generation Next Forum will bring together over 5000 participants, comprising majorly Gen-Z and Millennial participants, decision-makers, operators, and other key players within the Financial Services ecosystem. This event will serve as an avenue for tech enthusiasts to showcase their innovative ideas, foster collaborations, and explore opportunities that arise from the convergence of technology and finance
This event is scheduled to take place on August 3, 2023 at the Queens Park Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Participants will be joining physically and on Virtual platform, both of which have been professionally scripted to ensure unfettered engagement.
CIBN Generation Next Forum is packaged to be educative, informative, and insightful with a variety of exciting features such as plenary session, exhibitions, innovation hubs, mentoring clinic and networking/interactive session. These were specially designed to meaningfully occupy the youth and positively influence their thoughts.
According to the Chairman of The Planning & Organising Committee, Mr. Nath Ude, FCIB who delivered the full brief of the event, the thought leaders who will be speaking at the plenary session at the event were deliberately selected away from conventional bankers. This is aimed to a large extent at speaking the language of the youth to guaranty impactful sessions.
The Speakers include but not limited to Reeta Roy, President/CEO, Mastercard Foundation; Iyin Aboyeji, Founding Partner, Future Africa; Eizu Uwaoma, Founder & CEO, Hexavian Group; Nefe Etomi, Expansion Strategist & Operation Lead. Paystack Payment Limited; Fela Durotoye, Founder/CEO Gemstone Group; Sim Shagaya, Founder, uLesson Educational Limited; Stanley Jacob, CEO of Stanbic IBTC Financial Services Limited; Ade Bajomo, President Fintech Nigeria, and Yvonne Johnson, Managing Director/Co-founder, Indicina.
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Special Guest of Honour at the Forum is His Excellency, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State.
Mr. Nath Ude highlighted the essential objectives of the event to include the following:
– To inspire the younger generation to pursue rewarding careers within the banking industry.
– To showcase the exceptional talents of young individuals who have developed innovative solutions to address challenges in the banking sector and the economy at large.
– To provide mentorship opportunities for talented youth who are eager to carve a path towards becoming future banking professionals
The 1st Vice Preisdent of CIBN, Prof. Deji Olanrewaju who was present at the World Press Briefing, eagerly declared that with the Annual CIBN Generation Next Forum, the future of the banking industry is bright.
According to Mojisola Bakare, Treasurer of CIBN, the institute has for the first time put the future of the banking industry and the Nigerian economy in the first burner.
