L–R: Mr. Ade Buraimo, FCIB, Managing Director/CEO, Alpha Morgan Bank; Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, Lagos State NYSC Coordinator; Mr. Dapo Olagunju, HCIB, Managing Director & Head, West Africa, J.P. Morgan Nigeria; Mrs. Mojisola Asieru-Sweet, FCIB, 2nd Vice President, CIBN; Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, Ph.D, FCIB, President/Chairman of Council, CIBN; Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, HCIB, Acting Managing Director/CEO, Nova Bank Limited; Dr. Uche Olowo, FCIB, Past President, CIBN and Akin Morakinyo, ACIB, HCIB, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, CIBN, at the CIBN Generation Next Forum 3.0, held in Lagos on August 12, 2025.
By: Peace Udugba.
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has urged Nigerian youths to harness their creativity, skills, and determination to position the country as a global innovation hub.
Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President and Chairman of Council at CIBN, made the call on Tuesday in Lagos during the third edition of the institute’s Generation Next Forum.
He noted that leveraging the potential of the youth is critical to repositioning Nigeria for sustainable development.
The event, themed *“Think, Innovate, Transform: The Power of Youth in Repositioning Nigeria for Sustainable Development,”* focused on empowering young Nigerians to lead national transformation amid rapid digital disruption and shifting global priorities.
Olanrewaju highlighted that Nigeria’s median age of 18 makes its youthful population one of the youngest in the world, representing a significant asset for innovation and economic growth.
According to Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, the event was organised to commemorate the 2025 International Youth Day.
This youthful energy present in our country is a powerful resource, not a liability. If properly harnessed with vision, creativity, and determination, it can drive the transformation needed to position Nigeria as a global innovation hub,” he stated.
He emphasised the importance of strategic investments in education, capacity building, job creation, and innovation as key to unlocking the full potential of Nigerian youth.
Olanrewaju further explained that the Generation Next Forum reflects CIBN’s long-term commitment to youth empowerment, with a focus on transitioning Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to a production-led one.
Our vision is for Nigeria to channel the creativity, skills, and energy of its young people into productive enterprise, innovation, and value creation for the world,” he added.
This forum was designed to challenge your thinking, expand your horizon, and equip you with tools to shape the future you deserve,” Prof. Olanrewaju told participants.
To you—our vibrant, brilliant, unstoppable youth—whether students, graduates, professionals, or founders, I advise you to engage deeply, ask questions, connect boldly, be open to learning, be unafraid to dream, and be ready to lead.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, Acting Managing Director of Nova Bank, commended CIBN for its youth empowerment initiative. She urged participants to tap into their innate creativity and remain open to opportunities.
Everyone has the capacity to excel in any field. Explore solutions to the pressing issues facing Nigeria today,” she said. “Be open to new opportunities, challenge the status quo, and remember that your voices matter and your actions carry weight.
Iloghalu encouraged the youth to stay focused on developing innovative solutions that can transform their communities and the nation at large.
Mr Ade Buraimo, Group Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank, urged the youth to aspire beyond limitations, stressing that success does not require coming from an affluent background.
Think big and think far. Innovate, and don’t get too comfortable with what you are doing today.
Create time to learn, place yourself under mentorship, and equip yourself to turn challenging situations into opportunities, he said.
Mrs Christiana Salmwang, Lagos State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), urged youths to think beyond their limits and avoid making excuses.
This is not the time for flimsy lamentations or to believe anyone who says your challenges are too great.
Transform with integrity and build solutions that can stand the test of time. The future is already here,” she said.
Dr Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager and Area Business Head, West Africa, Mastercard, said that building a career as a leader in Nigeria’s banking and financial services sector requires integrity and accountability.
She urged the youth to think boldly and innovate with purpose, noting that there were numerous challenges in need of solutions.
Be a change maker and collaborate across industries. Success is birthed through smart decisions,” she said.
Mr. Ade Buraimo, Group Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank, encouraged Nigerian youths to aspire beyond their limitations, stressing that success isn’t dependent on coming from a wealthy background.
Think big and think far. Innovate, and don’t get too comfortable with what you are doing today,” he advised. “Create time to learn, place yourself under mentorship, and equip yourself to turn challenging situations into opportunities.
Also speaking, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, Lagos State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), urged youths to rise above self-imposed limits and avoid excuses.
This is not the time for flimsy lamentations or to believe anyone who says your challenges are too great,” she said. “Transform with integrity and build solutions that can stand the test of time. The future is already here.
Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager and Area Business Head, West Africa, Mastercard, noted that building a successful career in Nigeria’s banking and financial services sector requires integrity and accountability.
She urged young people to innovate with purpose and think boldly. “Be a change-maker and collaborate across industries. Success is birthed through smart decisions,” she added.
