By Aduragbemi Omiyale

About 2,037 professionals have been inducted into the prestigious Chartered Banker and Microfinance Certified Banker cadre of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

At the induction ceremony over the weekend in Lagos, the chairman of Polaris Bank Limited, Mr Kassin Gidado, charged the newly inducted chartered bankers to be guided by three key principles throughout their careers: upholding integrity, committing to lifelong learning, and leading with purpose.

“Banking today is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Digital transformation, financial inclusion, regulatory reforms and emerging technologies are redefining how financial institutions operate and deliver value to society,” he said at the 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction ceremony, which brought together industry leaders, regulators, banking professionals, and stakeholders to celebrate professional excellence and reinforce the role of certification in strengthening Nigeria’s financial system.

Mr Gidado described the induction ceremony as more than a formal event, noting that it represents a celebration of excellence, perseverance, and professional discipline within the banking industry.

He emphasised that while technology continues to transform the banking sector, trust remains the most valuable currency in banking, stressing that the credibility of the financial system ultimately depends on the integrity and professionalism of banking professionals.

The Polaris Bank chair commended CIBN for its continued commitment to strengthening professional standards, developing industry capacity, and nurturing the next generation of banking leaders in Nigeria.

He also reiterated the importance of investing in human capital within the financial services industry.

“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 stated.

Business Post gathered that the inductees emerged through various certification routes, including 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 candidates comprised executives, senior and middle management staff of 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 linked tertiary institutions.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Ten startups have made it to the 2026 Hackaholics Accelerator cohort of Wema Bank Plc, the lender said in a statement over the weekend.

The small firms are Farmslate, Ploy, Stocmed, Feest (Chao), Varsityscape, MamaAlert, Sane, Cyclex, Kieva, and Loocomo.

They will undergo a series of training sessions led by industry experts across key areas critical to startup growth.

Facilitators for the programme include the Chief Transformation Officer, Corporate Transformation & Innovation, Wema Bank, Babatunde Mumuni; Head, Strategy & Investor Relations, Wema Bank, Femi Akinfolarin; Head, Data Transformation, Wema Bank, Olamide Jolaoso; and Team Lead, Corporate Social Investment, Wema Bank, Oluwatoyin Adetunji.

Other facilitators include the Managing Director, Impact Hub Lagos, Idowu Akinde; Managing Director, B4B Partners, Napa Onwusa; Startup Advisor and Scout, Onaopemipo Dara; Mentor at Google for Startups, Rosemond Phil-Othihiwa; Head of Growth, Africhange, Tega Ogigirigi; and Startup Advisor and Mentor, Ademola Adewuyi.

“The startups selected for this cohort already have strong foundations, with products already in market, early traction, and clear growth potential.

“Each of the selected startups brings a unique solution to real challenges across different sectors. What Hackaholics Accelerator provides is the environment to strengthen those foundations through hands-on mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to the right networks.

“Over the course of the programme, we will work closely with these founders to refine their models, deepen market traction, and prepare them for sustainable scale,” the Chief Transformation Officer at Wema Bank, Mr Babatunde Mumuni, said.

Since its launch in 2019, Hackaholics has grown into one of Nigeria’s most influential youth innovation platforms, attracting over 15,000 applicants and supporting hundreds of digital solutions across multiple industries.

Through the Hackaholics initiative, Wema Bank has disbursed over $400,000 in funding to young innovators and startup founders across Nigeria.

Startups such as Feegor, Myitura, and Bunce are among those that have participated in previous editions of the scheme.

“Over the past six years, Hackaholics has grown into more than a competition; it has become a platform that reveals the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial potential that exists across Nigeria,” the chief executive of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, commented.

“The startups selected for this cohort represent some of the most promising solutions emerging from the Hackaholics ecosystem, and we are committed to helping them refine their models, strengthen their foundations, and scale their impact,” he added.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed Nigerian banks to flag suspected fraud  Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) after a 24-hour watchlist from May 1.

According to a circular signed by Mr Musa Jimoh, the Director of the Payment Systems Policy Department, the apex bank introduced this new policy in an amended version of the 2021 Revised Regulatory Framework for BVN and Watch-List for the Nigerian Banking Industry.

The circular titled, Addendum to the Revised Regulatory Framework for Bank Verification Number Operations and Watch-List for the Nigerian Banking Industry, disclosed that the new framework introduces four new policies which mandate Financial Institutions to establish and maintain a temporary watchlist for BVNs implicated in suspected fraudulent transactions reported by a financial institution.

The statement reads, “A BVN may remain on this temporary Watchlist for a maximum period of twenty-four (24) hours; during this period, the BVN owner shall be contacted to provide clarification regarding the identified transaction(s).”

For the BVN enrolment age requirement, the circular reads, “Enrolment for BVN is restricted to individuals who have attained the age of eighteen (18) years and above.”

For the restrictions on phone number amendments, the circular explained that updates on phone numbers linked to a BVN shall be allowed only once.

For Access to BVN data, the statement reads, “Access to the BVN databases shall be exclusively granted to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed financial institutions. Notwithstanding this provision, the Central Bank of Nigeria (the Bank) reserves the right to approve access to the BVN databases in extenuating circumstances and in accordance with the provisions of extant laws.”

The apex bank urges financial institutions to act accordingly as implementation of the new provisions shall take effect from May 1, 2026.

Launched in February 2014 by the CBN in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), BVN was part of efforts to strengthen the security and integrity of Nigeria’s banking system amid broader banking reforms. It was introduced primarily to reduce banking fraud and identity theft, which had become widespread due to individuals opening multiple accounts under different identities across banks. By assigning each customer a unique biometric-based identification number linked to fingerprints and facial data, BVN ensures that all accounts belonging to a person across Nigerian banks can be verified and traced.

The system also improves the effectiveness of banks’ Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, enhances transparency in financial transactions, and supports regulatory oversight within the financial sector.