By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and leading financial institutions have pledged stronger support for capacity building in financial journalism as sweeping reforms reshape Nigeria’s banking, tax, capital market and financial technology sectors.
The institutions, including United Bank for Africa (UBA) and ProvidusUnity Bank, said strengthening journalists’ capacity to interpret complex economic policies would enhance public understanding, transparency, investor confidence and accountability across the financial system.
The commitment was made in Lagos as stakeholders rallied behind initiatives to equip financial journalists with specialised knowledge, improved access to data and professional mentorship for better coverage of banking, public finance, investment, taxation and financial technology.
Other participating institutions include Fidelity Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Union Bank, Zenith Bank, Ecobank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Coronation Group, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS).
Tatum Bank, GTCO, Strategic Effects Limited, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Moniepoint and Dangote Group are also supporting the initiative.
The development comes as Nigeria enters a new phase of financial-sector reforms following the banking recapitalisation exercise, implementation of major tax reforms and rapid expansion of fintech and digital financial services.
Stakeholders noted that the increasing complexity of economic policies makes specialised financial journalism critical, particularly as regulatory changes have direct implications for businesses, investors and households.
They stressed that effective reporting should go beyond announcing policy decisions to explaining their economic consequences, examining implementation challenges and providing the public with information required to make informed financial decisions.
The reforms have also expanded the responsibilities of financial institutions, particularly in areas such as tax administration, foreign-exchange monitoring, financial transparency and electronic payments, reinforcing the need for journalists with the expertise to interrogate policies and accurately explain their implications.
Against this backdrop, the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) is convening policymakers, regulators, banking executives, fintech innovators, economists and capital-market operators at its 36th Anniversary Annual Conference in Lagos.
The two-day conference, scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026, will hold at Orchid Hotels, Dreamworld Africana Way, Lekki, Lagos, under the theme, “Building on the Gains of Recapitalisation, Tax Reform and Fintech Revolution.”
The conference is expected to examine how ongoing reforms can be consolidated to support stronger economic growth, attract investment inflows, deepen financial inclusion and build a more resilient financial system.
The event comes as the banking industry adjusts to the outcome of the recapitalisation exercise, the Federal Government implements a new tax regime and fintech continues to transform payments, lending and financial service delivery.
The Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UBA, Dr. Oliver Alawuba, will serve as guest speaker.
Panel sessions will feature representatives of NIBSS, OPay Digital Services Limited, ProvidusUnity Bank, Coronation Group, the Office of the Tax Ombud and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Discussions will focus on the gains and outstanding challenges associated with banking recapitalisation, tax reform and the fintech revolution, including their implications for financial stability, investment and economic growth.
In a jointly signed statement, FICAN Chairman, Chima Titus Nwokoji, and Secretary General, Sam Diala, described the conference as a strategic platform to review the progress of the reforms and identify practical measures to sustain economic growth.
Nwokoji said the convergence of banking recapitalisation, tax reforms and fintech expansion had created a defining moment for the Nigerian economy.
“This year’s conference comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s economy. Banking recapitalisation, tax reforms and the rapid expansion of financial technology are reshaping the financial services landscape,” he stated.
He said the conference would bring together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to assess the gains recorded so far and develop practical recommendations to deepen financial stability, promote inclusive growth and enhance investor confidence.
According to him, the conference will also examine ways to sustain investor confidence, strengthen financial stability, accelerate digital innovation and ensure that the benefits of the reforms translate into tangible improvements for businesses and ordinary Nigerians.
FICAN, which comprises about 150 journalists and editors covering the financial industry across print, electronic and online platforms, has for 36 years promoted responsible financial journalism and informed public debate on economic policies.
The association said the annual conference would continue to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine major developments affecting the financial system and the wider economy.
It added that the 2026 edition would strengthen the link between financial journalism and economic policymaking by providing journalists with direct access to policymakers, regulators and industry operators.
FICAN further stressed that sustained engagement among the media, regulators, financial institutions, investors and policymakers would be crucial to consolidating the gains of current reforms.
According to the association, stronger institutions, increased investment, greater financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth would depend not only on the quality of policies adopted but also on effective implementation, public understanding and continuous scrutiny.
The capacity-building support from NDIC, NSIA, AMCON and the participating banks and institutions is expected to complement FICAN’s broader efforts to strengthen financial journalism as an instrument for transparency, accountability and informed economic decision-making.
