Lagos, Nigeria – March 2026: The Chairman of Polaris Bank, Dr. Kassim Gidado, has urged newly inducted banking professionals to uphold integrity, pursue continuous learning, and demonstrate ethical leadership as they advance in the rapidly evolving financial services sector.
Dr. Gidado made the call while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
The ceremony, held in Lagos over the weekend, marked the induction of 2,037 professionals into the Institute’s prestigious Chartered Banker and Microfinance Certified Banker cadre, representing a significant milestone in their professional careers.
According to the Institute, the inductees emerged through various certification pathways, including nine candidates via the Chartered Banker/MBA route, 816 through the Chartered Banker Regular Route, 25 through the MSc/Chartered Banker pathway, 262 through the SMP/AMP/Chartered Banker pathway, and 435 Microfinance Certified Professionals.
The newly inducted members comprise executives, as well as senior and middle management staff of Deposit Money Banks, Microfinance Banks, and other financial institutions. They also include professionals from both the public and private sectors, self-employed members of the Institute, and graduates from affiliated tertiary institutions.
In his address, Dr. Gidado described the induction ceremony as more than a formal event, noting that it symbolises excellence, perseverance, and professional discipline within the banking industry.
He observed that the banking sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by digital innovation, financial inclusion initiatives, regulatory reforms, and emerging technologies, all of which are reshaping how financial institutions operate and deliver value to society.
While acknowledging the growing influence of technology in banking, he emphasised that trust remains the most valuable currency in the financial system, stressing that the credibility of the industry ultimately depends on the integrity and professionalism of practitioners.
Dr. Gidado commended the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria for its sustained commitment to strengthening professional standards, building industry capacity, and nurturing the next generation of banking leaders in Nigeria.
He also highlighted the critical importance of investing in human capital within the financial services industry.
According to him, Polaris Bank believes strongly that human capital is the most strategic asset within financial institutions, noting that the future of banking will not be determined solely by technology or capital, but by the calibre of professionals entrusted with managing these resources responsibly.
An accomplished academic, Dr. Gidado further encouraged the newly inducted Chartered Bankers to anchor their careers on three key principles: integrity, lifelong learning, and purposeful leadership.
The 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony attracted industry leaders, regulators, banking professionals, and key stakeholders, all gathered to celebrate professional excellence and reinforce the importance of certification in strengthening Nigeria’s financial system.
