The Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of promoting effective communication and marketing practices in the banking industry. The milestone was marked at an anniversary gala night in Lagos on September 30, 2026, which drew senior officials from regulatory bodies and banks nationwide. The event provided a platform for industry leaders to reflect on the association's achievements and emphasize the importance of credibility and ethics in financial services.
ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, highlighted the association's role in helping banks communicate with the public, manage crises, and protect their reputations over the past three decades. He emphasized that the body would continue to deepen the capacity of its members as the profession evolves, with a greater focus on artificial intelligence, data, and digital media, as well as mentorship for young professionals entering the industry. This move is expected to enhance the skills and competencies of communication professionals in the banking sector.
The Chairman of the occasion and 24th President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dele Alabi, described ACAMB's journey as a testament to perseverance and professionalism. He urged communication professionals to embrace innovation without compromising ethics, in line with the CIBN's IMPACT vision. This vision emphasizes the importance of inclusion, membership, professionalism, and ethical conduct, accountability, competences, and skills, and technology in the banking industry.
Representing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Philip Ikeazor, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Hakama Sidi Ali, stressed that the banking industry was moving beyond stabilisation towards broader institutional transformation. She challenged communicators to prioritize clarity over cleverness and to treat customers as the ultimate test of their credibility. According to her, the credibility built during quiet periods is crucial in times of crisis.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Premier Oiwoh, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the critical role of trust in the growth of digital banking. He noted that NIBSS built Africa's first mature instant payment system 15 years ago and stressed that banking is all about trust. Without trust, banking cannot stand, he added.
Speaking on behalf of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, the bank's Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, commended ACAMB for bringing together communicators from competing institutions. She emphasized that while banks compete in the market, communicators share a responsibility to maintain public confidence in the financial system. This shared sense of responsibility is crucial in times of crisis or uncertainty.
The celebration featured networking sessions and recognition of professionals who have contributed to banking communication in Nigeria over the past three decades. The Managing Director/CEO of Optimus Bank, Ademola Odeyemi, also commended the association for its contributions and shared vision. The event provided a platform for industry leaders to reflect on the association's achievements and emphasize the importance of credibility and ethics in financial services.
Key points
- Regulators and industry leaders stress importance of credibility and ethics in financial services.
- ACAMB marks 30th anniversary, highlighting three decades of promoting effective communication and marketing practices in the banking industry.
- Industry leaders emphasize need for communication professionals to prioritize clarity, trust, and customer-centricity in their roles.
