The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on Saturday elected Dele Alabi, its immediate past first vice president, as its new president.

Mr Alabi was elected at the CIBN’s hybrid annual general meeting and election in Lagos.

The institute also elected Haruna Musa, managing director of Jaiz Bank, as its national treasurer.

The event had in attendance 16 bank managing directors, including Oliver Alawuba, group managing director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and Zenith Bank’s group managing director, Adaora Umeoji.

Mr Alabi, the 24th president-elect of CIBN, pledged, in his acceptance speech, to lead with integrity, professionalism, and innovation.

“I accept the mandate, not as a privilege, but as a responsibility to be fulfilled with diligence and accountability,” he said.

He paid tribute to past leaders of the institute, particularly Pius Olanrewaju, the outgoing president, for laying a solid foundation for growth through visionary leadership.

The president-elect also commended the immediate past president for strengthening the institute’s financial performance and institutional development over the last two years.

According to him, the institute must position itself to lead in an evolving financial landscape marked by rapid changes and increasing complexity.

Mr Alabi outlined his vision of a more dynamic and globally respected institute that will shape Nigeria’s banking industry and also attract relevance across international borders.

He assured members that his administration would prioritise integrity, inclusiveness, and the overall interest of the profession.

The managing director of Jaiz Bank Plc, Mr Musa, pledged prudent stewardship as CIBN national treasurer.

Mr Musa promised to work with the institute’s leadership to strengthen its operations and advance the banking profession.

The outgoing president/chairman of the Council of CIBN, Mr Olarenwaju, said the institute’s internally generated revenue rose while membership increased by nearly 7,000.

He said the CIBN headquarters was remodelled and digital capacity improved, enabling about 20,000 members to participate in programmes virtually.

According to him, the institute also introduced more frequent examinations and a proctored system allowing candidates to write exams globally.

He said initial resistance to reforms was overcome through teamwork and expressed confidence that the incoming leadership would sustain the progress.

Mojisola Asieru-Sweet was elected the first vice president, and Peter Ashade was elected the second vice president.

Elected members of the governing council were Abosede Ogundimu, Obafemi Omolola, Mary Akpenyi, and Adesina Joda.

(NAN)