Major financial institutions, including the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), have pledged increased support for professional capacity building among financial journalists as Nigeria implements far-reaching reforms across the banking, tax, capital market and fintech sectors.
The institutions, alongside leading banks such as United Bank for Africa and ProvidusUnity Bank, said specialised financial journalism was critical to helping Nigerians understand increasingly complex economic policies and their implications for businesses, investors and households.
The commitment was made in Lagos as stakeholders backed efforts to strengthen the capacity of journalists through specialised training, improved access to financial data and professional mentorship.
Other institutions supporting the initiative include Fidelity Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Union Bank, Zenith Bank, Ecobank, First City Monument Bank, Coronation Group, Development Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System.
Also supporting the initiative are Tatum Bank, GTCO, Strategic Effects Limited, the National Pension Commission, Moniepoint and Dangote Group.
The renewed focus on financial journalism comes as Nigeria implements major reforms, including the banking recapitalisation programme and new tax measures, alongside the rapid expansion of fintech and digital financial services.
Stakeholders noted that the growing complexity of these reforms requires journalists to develop specialised knowledge that enables them to move beyond reporting policy announcements to explaining their economic implications and scrutinising implementation.
The reforms have also increased the responsibilities of financial institutions in areas such as tax administration, foreign-exchange monitoring, financial transparency and electronic payments, further underscoring the need for accurate and accessible financial reporting.
Against this backdrop, the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) will bring together policymakers, regulators, banking executives, fintech operators, economists and capital-market stakeholders at its 36th Anniversary Annual Conference in Lagos.
The two-day conference is scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026, at Orchid Hotels, Dreamworld Africana Way, Lekki, Lagos.
Themed “Building on the Gains of Recapitalisation, Tax Reform and Fintech Revolution,” the conference will examine how ongoing reforms can be consolidated to support economic growth, attract investment, deepen financial inclusion and strengthen the resilience of Nigeria’s financial system.
The Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, is expected to 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.
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Panel sessions will feature representatives of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, OPay Digital Services Limited, ProvidusUnity Bank, Coronation Group, the Office of the Tax Ombudsman and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.
Discussions will focus on the gains and outstanding challenges associated with banking recapitalisation, tax reform and the fintech revolution, as well as their implications for financial stability, investment and economic growth.
In a jointly signed statement, FICAN Chairman, Chima Titus Nwokoji, and Secretary-General, Sam Diala, described the conference as an opportunity to assess the progress of the reforms and develop practical measures for sustaining economic growth.
Nwokoji said the convergence of banking recapitalisation, tax reform and rapid fintech expansion represented a significant turning point for the Nigerian economy.
“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.
According to him, the conference will provide a platform for policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to assess the gains recorded so far and develop recommendations for strengthening financial stability, promoting inclusive growth and improving investor confidence.
Participants will also examine strategies for sustaining investor confidence, strengthening the financial system, accelerating digital innovation and ensuring that the benefits of the reforms translate into tangible improvements for businesses and households.
FICAN, which comprises about 150 journalists and editors covering the financial sector across print, electronic and online platforms, has spent 36 years promoting responsible financial journalism and informed debate on economic policies.
The association said its annual conference had become an important platform for stakeholders to examine developments affecting Nigeria’s financial system and broader economy.
The 2026 edition is expected to deepen engagement between financial journalists and key players in economic policymaking by providing opportunities for direct interaction with policymakers, regulators and industry operators.
FICAN said sustained engagement among the media, financial institutions, regulators, investors and policymakers would be essential to consolidating the gains of ongoing reforms.
It added that stronger institutions, increased investment, wider financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth would depend not only on the quality of policies but also on effective implementation, public understanding and continuous scrutiny.
The capacity-building support from NDIC, NSIA, AMCON and participating financial institutions is expected to complement FICAN’s efforts to strengthen financial journalism as an important tool for transparency, accountability and informed economic decision-making.
