The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on Saturday elected Prof. Pius Olanrewaju as the new President of the institute, along with other elected officers for the 2024-2026 tenure.
The results of the 72-hour electronic voting election was announced during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the institute by Mrs Caroline Anyanwu, Chairperson of the CIBN Election Committee at Bankers House in Lagos.
The new president-elect was the immediate past First Vice President of the institute.
Olarenwaju, in his acceptance speech, described the outgoing president as “a great leader” who had positioned the institute on a path for growth and greatness.
He thanked the leadership and members of the institute while promising to build on the legacies of Opara, his predecessor, in office.
He promised to unveil his agenda during his inauguration at an investiture programme scheduled for May.
Earlier, the outgoing President CIBN, Ken Opara, who took over leadership in May 2022, reviewed the 2023 annual report and accounts.
He announced a planned road show to flag off the collaboration with Pan-African Payment and Settlement System on April 25 in Lagos to promote exportation.
Opara, also the Chairman of Council, CIBN, explained youth engagement initiatives aimed at checkmating mass migration of the nation’s young professionals out of the country to other advanced economies.
The president who also coordinated and chaired the institute annual general meeting, reeled out his achievements in ICT, revenue drive, capacity building, legacy projects, and support in ongoing economic policy reforms in Nigeria, among others.
“I am particularly delighted that our Institute continued to wax stronger financially, notwithstanding the economic downturns and headwinds in the year 2023.
“It is on record that our Institute for the first time crossed the one billion Naira mark by achieving a Net Operating Surplus of N1.371 billion in 2023 when compared with N837.943 million achieved in 2022, representing a growth of 63.60 per cent.
“Similarly, total revenue grew from N2.065 billion recorded in 2022 to N2.782 billion in 2023, representing 34.72 per cent growth, while total assets grew from N7.821 billion in 2022 to N9.119 billion in 2023.
“The cost-to-income ratio for the year ended December 31, 2023, stood at 50.72 per cent, down from 59.41 per cent in the corresponding period in 2022. This ratio is way below the approved Governing Council threshold of 61 per cent for the 2023 financial year.
“I am persuaded that with prudent and efficient management of resources, as well as diligent execution of our strategic plan, our institute will sustain this northward trajectory,” he said.
Opara explained how his administration, through teamwork, left indelible marks in the banking industry in an era characterised by disruptions, volatility in the economy, and other turbulence.
Opara thanked CIBN members, stakeholders, family and friends for their support that ensured the success of his tenure.
The National Treasurer of the Institute, Mrs Mojisola Bakare-Asieru, represented by Mr Dele Alabi, second Vice President, presented the 2023 audited financial statements.
The external auditors, Rosewater Partners, after the presentation of facts and figures, affirmed that the financial position of the CIBN was in agreement with the book of accounts.
The Chairman of the CIBN Audit Committee also affirmed that the accounting and reporting policies of the institute were in accordance with legal requirements and ethical practices.
