Banking communication professionals in Nigeria have been urged to prioritize credibility, clarity, innovation, and ethical conduct as the country's financial services industry undergoes rapid digital transformation. This call was made at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) in Lagos. The event brought together senior officials from regulatory bodies and industry leaders, who stressed that maintaining public confidence would be critical as banking increasingly moves to digital and mobile platforms.
The anniversary gala saw the attendance of senior officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Optimus Bank, and communication and marketing executives from banks across the country. The President of ACAMB, Jide Sipe, highlighted the association's evolution over the past three decades from a body focused largely on corporate communication to a strategic partner in helping banks manage their relationships with customers and the wider public.
According to Jide Sipe, communication professionals have become increasingly important to the banking industry, particularly in explaining policies, managing crises, and protecting institutional reputations. He noted that ACAMB members had moved from being "gatekeepers to strategic drivers" of business growth, positive brand perception, and customer loyalty. Sipe added that the association would continue to strengthen the capacity of its members as the profession evolves, with greater emphasis on artificial intelligence, data, digital media, and mentorship for younger professionals.
Representing the Deputy Governor of the CBN, Philip Ikeazor, Acting Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Hakama Sidi Ali, said the banking industry was moving beyond stabilisation towards broader institutional transformation. She challenged communication professionals to ensure that the increasing sophistication of financial services did not come at the expense of clear communication with customers. Sidi Ali urged communicators to prioritise clarity over cleverness, stressing that customers should remain the ultimate measure of whether financial institutions have communicated effectively.
Sidi Ali also noted that the credibility communicators carry into a crisis is built in quiet periods. She emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence as banking increasingly moves to digital and mobile platforms. The CBN representative's remarks underscored the need for effective communication in the banking sector, particularly in times of crisis.
The Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has, over the past three decades, played a significant role in supporting the growth of the financial services industry. According to Sipe, the association's members have stood between the banks and the public they serve, explaining policy, managing crises, and protecting reputations, often under intense pressure and in real time.
As the banking sector continues to evolve, ACAMB will focus on strengthening the capacity of its members, with a greater emphasis on emerging trends and technologies. The association's efforts aim to ensure that communication professionals in the banking sector continue to prioritize trust, ethics, and clear communication, ultimately supporting the growth and stability of the financial services industry.
Key points
- The banking sector is moving beyond stabilisation towards broader institutional transformation.
- Communication professionals are urged to prioritise clarity over cleverness in their communication with customers.
- The Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has played a significant role in supporting the growth of the financial services industry.
