Okpara: CIBN Remains Committed to  Future of Banking, Finance Education in Nigeria

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The President/Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria(CIBN), Dr. Ken Okpara, has reiterated the commitment of the council to the future of banking and finance education in Nigeria.

Okpara  stated this at Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, yesterday, during the ninth groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of ultra modern legacy CIBN hall for the institution.

The project is being collaborated between the CIBN and KWASU to advance the academic learning and teaching of the students of the university.

The CIBN said, “the zeal became imperative as  a world characterised by rapid technological advancements and dynamic shifts in the financial landscape., the need for a well-equipped and forward-looking educational infrastructure cannot be overstated.”

He said, “In 1998, the Linkage Programme was conceived by the Institute with the foresight that education is not just a means to an end but a journey that shapes the future.

“The Linkage Programme, now spanning decades, has been a beacon of positive change in the narrative of banking education in Nigeria.

“Our vision for the Linkage Programme was to bridge the gap between theory and practice, academia and industry.

“We aimed to infuse a professional element into the teaching-learning process, enriching the educational experience of students and, in turn, enhancing the quality of graduates produced by our higher institutions.

“The Linkage programme, which currently has on board seventy-seven (77) tertiary institutions in Nigeria, commenced on this campus on November 21, 2017, with the execution of a Collaboration Agreement between The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and Kwara State University. The collaboration has fared well, and Kwara State University has performed creditably well on the scheme.

“To extend the frontiers of this giant strides, the Governing Council of our highly revered Institute resolved to institute a learning legacy project in selected Linked institutions across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

 “After a rigorous and painstaking evidence-based appraisal exercise, I am pleased to announce that Kwara State University was selected as one of the beneficiaries in acknowledgement of the role the University plays in fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence..

“We are confident that any student from this institution who has successfully completed our linkage programme and passed the Banking Professional Examinations conducted by the CIBN will emerge as a competent and well-prepared professional ready to contribute to the banking industry, be it in the public or private sector.”

He added, “the legacy project which the CIBN is endowing to the Kwara State University is a 160 seater lecture theatre that will be fully furnished and equipped with ultra-modern gadgets.

 “The edifice, which will be known and called “THE CIBN BANKERS HALL”, will serve as the melting pot for the training and development of future-ready bankers.

“This legacy project stands as a testament to our dedication to advancing banking and finance education in Nigeria.

“By extension, it represents our unwavering support for the broader economic development of our beloved country”.

Also speaking at the event, the acting vice chancellor of the KWASU, Prof. Lukman Jimoh said that, there was no doubt that the collaborative efforts of the institution has yielded positive result  in view of the CIBN moves to embark on construction of legacy Hall for the institution.

He added,  “Kwara State University has always been known to cherish synergy with industry.

‘We recognise that for our graduates to maintain a high level of competitive relevance in the larger society, they must have the skills, knowledge, and exposure that would position them for excellent service delivery either as employees or as employers of labour.”