All is set as top bankers, major economic players, captains of industry, regulators, policymakers, members of the academic community, and other stakeholders in the banking, finance, and fintech sectors converge in London, United Kingdom from April 24–26, 2025, for the CIBN 2025 London International Banking and Finance Conference.
The Conference, which is scheduled to hold at the Hilton London Canary Wharf, United Kingdom, is one of the largest gatherings of banking and finance professionals in the United Kingdom. The event is organised by The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in collaboration with its United Kingdom Branch.
The theme of the Conference, “Enhancing Forex Liquidity Through Export Diversification: The Role of the Banking Sector,” underscores the critical need to focus on export diversification and highlights how the banking sector can play a strategic role in boosting foreign exchange inflows, reducing over-reliance on oil revenues, and securing a sustainable economic future.
The event serves as a bi-annual knowledge-sharing, thought-leadership, and solution-based forum for all stakeholders—policymakers, regulators, operators, service providers, academics, and clients in the financial services industry. It provides a platform for industry practitioners and thought leaders to share experiences, exchange ideas, and proffer pragmatic insights on contemporary issues affecting the sector and the broader economy.
This year’s edition marks a paradigm shift from previous conferences, with a renewed focus on enriching the quality of knowledge shared and enhancing participants’ comprehension of the key topics to be discussed.
Dignitaries expected to grace the occasion include: His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, FCIB, Executive Governor, Lagos State; His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, HCIB, Executive Governor, Cross River State; Mr. Yemi Cardoso, FCIB, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria; Mr. Hassan Bello, FCIB, Managing Director/CEO, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and many others.
The Chief Host of the Conference is Prof. Pius ‘Deji Olanrewaju, Ph.D, FCIB, President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, while the Host is Mr. Ben Anwuri, FCIB, Chairman, CIBN United Kingdom Branch.
The confirmed speakers include: Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, HCIB, Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC); Dr. Ken Opara, Ph.D, FCIB, Immediate Past President, CIBN & Executive Director, Fidelity Bank Plc; Mr. Babatunde Olofin, MD/CEO, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank Ltd; Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim, CON, FCIB, MD/CEO, Premium Trust Bank; Mr. Musa Haruna, HCIB, MD/CEO, Jaiz Bank Plc; Mr. Abiodun Fashagba, HCIB, MD/Head, Client Management, Middle East, Pakistan & Africa, Standard Chartered Bank DIFC; Mr. Olukorede Adenowo, FCIB, Chief Executive, FBN UK; Mr. Udu Ovbiagde, MD/CEO, Zenith Bank UK among others.
Day 1 of the Conference will feature a special training session in collaboration with Grant Thornton UK, along with two business sessions. Topics for the special training session include:
Cyber, Digital Risks and Opportunities in Banking
Understanding Relevant Compliance and Regulatory Considerations to Minimize Risks in a Digital Banking Era
Governance and Board Decision Making
Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services
Bank CEOs Roundtable
Day 2 will feature business sessions on the following themes:
The Role of the Banking & Finance Sector in Financing Export-Oriented Industries
Leveraging Digital Platforms for Efficient Export Financing
Day 3 will include a guided sightseeing tour of key financial sectors in London in the morning, followed by a Closing Dinner and Gala Night. The Special Guest Speaker for the Gala Night is Mr. Clive Carpenter, FCIB, C.Dir, Chairman, Longitude Capital Limited (Kenya); Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, UBA UK; and Deputy Chairman, Business Council for Africa. He will speak on the topic: “The Future of Banking—Rapid Transformation or Obsolescence?”
As is customary, resolutions from the Conference will be shared with relevant stakeholders and policymakers to enable the realignment of strategies and policies in line with the insights from the event.
According to Mr. Bayo Fagbenro, Chairman, Organising Committee and 1st Vice Chairman of the CIBN UK Branch, the event is poised to make history as one of the largest gatherings of banking professionals in the United Kingdom and globally. He encourages interested participants from Nigeria, UK and other countries to register for the Conference through the official website http://ukbranch.cibng.org/.
