By Olusegun Obisanya
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority have joined leading commercial banks to strengthen the capacity of financial journalists to scrutinise Nigeria’s sweeping banking, tax and financial technology reforms.
The institutions said journalists must be equipped to go beyond reporting policy announcements and explain how regulatory changes affect businesses, investors and ordinary Nigerians.
Their position came as stakeholders rallied support for specialised training, improved access to financial data and professional mentorship for journalists covering banking, taxation, public finance, investments, capital markets and fintech.
According to a statement, the commitment is coming amid the banking recapitalisation exercise, implementation of major tax reforms and rapid expansion of digital financial services, developments that have increased the complexity of Nigeria’s financial landscape.
Other institutions backing the initiative include United Bank for Africa, ProvidusUnity Bank, Fidelity Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Union Bank, Zenith Bank, Ecobank, First City Monument Bank, Coronation Group, Development Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Communications Commission and Nigerian Interbank Settlement System.
Tatum Bank, GTCO, Strategic Effects Limited, PenCom, Moniepoint and Dangote Group are also involved.
The stakeholders stressed that effective financial reporting must explain the economic consequences of government policies, identify implementation challenges and provide citizens with sufficient information to make informed financial decisions.
The development forms part of activities around the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s 36th Anniversary Annual Conference, scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026, in Lagos.
The conference, with the theme, “Building on the Gains of Recapitalisation, Tax Reform and Fintech Revolution,” will hold at Orchid Hotels, Dreamworld Africana Way, Lekki.
The Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, will 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.
Panel discussions 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.
In a jointly signed statement, FICAN Chairman, Chima Titus Nwokoji, and Secretary General, Sam Diala, described the conference as a strategic platform for reviewing the progress of the reforms and identifying practical measures to sustain economic growth.
Nwokoji said, “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 said the objective was to bring policymakers, regulators and industry leaders together to assess the gains recorded so far and develop practical recommendations to deepen financial stability, promote inclusive growth and enhance investor confidence.
FICAN, which brings together about 150 journalists and editors covering the financial industry across print, electronic and online platforms, said it had promoted responsible financial journalism and informed public debate on economic policies for 36 years.
The association said sustained engagement among the media, regulators, financial institutions, investors and policymakers would be crucial to consolidating the gains of the ongoing reforms.
It added that 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.
