By Olusegun Obisanya
Nigeria’s financial sector stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, banking executives, fintech innovators, economists and capital market operators, will converge in Lagos next month for the 36th Anniversary Annual Conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria.
The two-day conference, according to a release, is scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026, at Orchid Hotels, Lagos, will focus on the theme, “Building on the Gains of Recapitalisation, Tax Reform and Fintech Revolution.”
The conference is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to assess the impact of ongoing reforms in the financial sector and examine ways of leveraging them to drive economic growth, attract investment, expand financial inclusion and strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience.
The Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, is billed to deliver the keynote address, while the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa, Dr. Oliver Alawuba, will serve as guest speaker.
Representatives of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, Fintech Association of Nigeria, Opay Digital Services Limited, Providus Bank and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria are also expected to participate in panel discussions.
The sessions will examine issues around banking recapitalisation, tax reforms and the rapid growth of financial technology, among other developments shaping the financial services industry.
Chairman of FICAN, Chima Titus Nwokoji, said the conference was coming at a critical period for the economy, with reforms in banking, taxation and technology creating both opportunities and challenges for the country.
He remarked, “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. Our objective is to bring together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to assess the gains recorded so far and develop practical recommendations that will deepen financial stability, promote inclusive growth and enhance investor confidence.”
Nwokoji said the association, which comprises about 150 journalists and editors reporting the financial industry across print, electronic and online platforms, had spent 36 years promoting responsible financial journalism and informed public discourse on economic policy.
He added that the conference would explore measures to sustain investor confidence, strengthen financial stability, accelerate digital innovation and ensure that ongoing reforms deliver tangible benefits to businesses and Nigerians.
The programme will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive sessions involving experts from banking, insurance, the capital market, fintech and the public sector.
Discussions will also cover the implementation of the banking recapitalisation programme, the impact of the new tax regime, developments in financial technology, the future of digital payments, financial inclusion, capital market development, insurance penetration, foreign investment and long-term economic resilience.
According to the organisers, the conference is expected to produce a communiqué containing recommendations for government, regulators and industry operators on sustaining reforms, attracting investment, accelerating financial inclusion and strengthening the financial sector.
The event will also provide opportunities for networking among policymakers, regulators, investors, financial institutions, corporate executives, development partners and media practitioners.
FICAN said Nigeria was at a pivotal stage in its economic transformation, stressing that meaningful engagement among regulators, operators, investors and policymakers remained crucial to consolidating the gains of recent reforms and promoting sustainable national growth.
The annual conference has, over the years, developed into a major platform for high-level policy dialogue on developments affecting Nigeria’s financial system and the wider economy.
