The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has warned that artificial intelligence (AI), technological advancement, and other structural changes will reshape jobs in the banking and financial services industry. CIBN President, Dele Alabi, gave the warning at the Institute's 2026 Stream II Chartered Banker Induction Programme held in Lagos. He emphasized that future-readiness was not simply the ability to adapt after change had occurred, but the capacity to anticipate emerging developments and exercise sound judgement in uncertain circumstances.
According to Alabi, the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 projected that structural transformation would affect 22 percent of formal jobs represented in its global study by 2030, with 92 million existing roles displaced and 170 million new ones created. This underscores the need for banking professionals to continuously acquire competencies and skills required to navigate a rapidly changing financial services environment. Alabi's IMPACT Vision for CIBN places emphasis on competencies and skills development, technology, automation, and innovation, as well as professionalism and ethical conduct.
The CIBN inducted 2,178 new Chartered Bankers at the ceremony across five pathways, including 1,439 through the Standard Chartered Banker (ACIB) Route and 500 Microfinance Certified Bankers (MCIB). The induction marked not only a professional milestone but also a responsibility to uphold the values, ethics, professionalism, and integrity of the banking profession. The newly inducted bankers look forward to contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of Nigeria's financial services industry.
Olusegun Alebiosu, CEO of FirstBank and Fellow, CIBN, said disruption had become the operating environment for the banking industry rather than a temporary phase. Customers increasingly expect transactions to be completed within seconds, while businesses demand quicker decisions, with new technologies changing how banking services are delivered. He added that inflation, cyber threats, and global uncertainty had also made sound judgement increasingly important for banking professionals.
Alebiosu stressed that innovation was not limited to launching new digital applications but also involved finding faster, safer, and easier ways to solve customers' problems without losing sight of risk. He urged the new Chartered Bankers to continue learning, remain curious, seek help when necessary, and support those coming behind them, warning them never to trade their integrity for short-term gains. The future of banking will not be shaped by technology alone but by people who use sound judgment, welcome new ideas, and do the right thing even when no one is watching.
Aishuai Xie (Andy), Managing Director, OPay Microfinance Bank, who spoke on behalf of the MCIB inductees, said the induction marked a professional milestone and a responsibility to uphold the values, ethics, professionalism, and integrity of the banking profession. The newly inducted bankers look forward to contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of Nigeria's financial services industry.
The CIBN president urged the newly inducted bankers to apply the principles of continuous learning, innovation, and ethical conduct in their careers, saying their professional conduct would determine the value they added to the banking industry. The Institute's emphasis on competencies and skills development, technology, automation, and innovation, as well as professionalism and ethical conduct, is crucial for banking professionals to remain relevant in a rapidly changing financial services environment.
Key points
- CIBN urges bankers to develop skills to remain relevant amid AI and technological advancements.
- 2,178 new Chartered Bankers inducted across five pathways.
- Future-readiness requires anticipating emerging developments, exercising sound judgement, and harnessing innovation.
