The Chairman of Polaris Bank, Kassim Gidado, has urged newly inducted banking professionals to uphold integrity, pursue continuous learning, and demonstrate ethical leadership as they navigate the evolving financial services landscape.
Dr. Gidado made the call while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos.
The ceremony celebrated the induction of 2,037 professionals into the prestigious Chartered Banker and Microfinance Certified Banker cadres of the institute, marking a major milestone in their professional careers within Nigeria’s financial services sector.
According to the institute, the inductees qualified through different certification pathways. The breakdown includes nine candidates through the Chartered Banker/MBA route, 816 through the Chartered Banker Regular Route, 25 through the MSc/Chartered Banker pathway, 262 through the SMP/AMP/Chartered Banker pathway, and 435 Microfinance Certified Professionals.
The newly certified professionals include executives, senior and middle management staff from deposit money banks, microfinance banks, and other financial institutions, as well as professionals from the public and private sectors, self-employed members of the institute, and graduates from partner tertiary institutions.
In his address, Dr. Gidado described the induction ceremony as more than a routine professional event, noting that it represents a celebration of excellence, perseverance, and professional discipline within Nigeria’s banking industry.
He explained that the banking sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by digital innovation, financial inclusion initiatives, regulatory reforms, and emerging technologies, all of which are reshaping how financial institutions operate and deliver services.
Despite these technological advancements, the Polaris Bank chairman emphasised that trust remains the most valuable currency in banking, stressing that the credibility of the financial system depends largely on the integrity and professionalism of those working within it.
Dr. Gidado also commended the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria for its role in strengthening professional standards within the industry, noting that the institute continues to play a critical role in developing the next generation of banking leaders.
He further highlighted the importance of investing in human capital development within financial institutions, describing skilled and ethical professionals as the backbone of a strong and sustainable banking system.
“At Polaris Bank, we firmly believe that human capital is the most strategic asset within financial institutions. The future of banking will not be defined only by technology or capital, but by the quality of professionals who steward these resources responsibly,” he said.
Dr. Gidado encouraged the newly inducted Chartered Bankers to guide their professional journeys with three key principles: integrity, lifelong learning, and purposeful leadership.
The event brought together industry leaders, regulators, banking professionals, and key stakeholders to celebrate professional excellence and reinforce the role of certification in strengthening Nigeria’s financial system.
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