Jobs/Appointments
Digital Finance Practitioners Elect Leaders for Lagos Chapter
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Chapter of the Association of Digital Finance Practitioners (ADFP) in Nigeria has been launched, with leaders elected to steer the ship for the next year.
The new executives emerged after a keenly contested election that took place virtually from November 27 to 28, 2021, producing Abubakar Shehu, Director VAS, Gateway and Broadband Sales at Globacom as President.
Other elected members of the committee included Adedoyin Samo, Group Head, HR & Admin., Zedcrest Capital Limited, elected as Vice President; ‘Nifemi Oluboyede, Product Manager – credit, Kuda Digital Bank elected as Secretary; Lukmon Oloyede, Head, Product Marketing & Brand Communication, Zedvance Finance Limited emerged as Publicity Secretary; Yemi Kehinde, Group Head, Zedcrest Capital Limited as Legal Officer and Amarachi Wogu, Head, Channel Delivery, Inclusive Banking at Heritage Bank Plc as Welfare Officer.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Shehu commended the electoral committee for a free and fair election and the event organizing committees for hosting a successful historic event.
“As we consult with the board of trustees to fulfil the objectives of the ADFP, we promise to do our best to make the association a force to reckon with in the industry as we promote financial inclusion and advocate for more stakeholders’ policies and regulations that would deepen the DFS ecosystem in Nigeria,” he said.
Before the inauguration of the new executives, an interactive panel session was held on The Role of Country Association in Capacity Building for DFS Design and Delivery.
The panelislts – Folasade Femi-Lawal, AGM, Card & Messaging Business, FirstBank Nigeria; Stanley Jacob, Director, Country Business Development, MasterCard Nigeria; Kayode Olubiyi, Head, Physical Digital Bank, UBA; Kayode Kalejaiye, Head, Digital Products & Innovation, International Digital Financial Services at Essex, UK emphasized the importance of having a community of practice for exchange of knowledge, collaboration and networking in the DFS ecosystem.
According to Kayode Olubiyi, investing in capacity building should be encouraged by all institutions and regulators as the financial sector continues to evolve.
“The entire world is struck by digital transformation and is becoming more interconnected by the day using digital technologies. Digital finance has brought together people from different fields.
“To build sustainable financial products, design policies and provide appropriate regulation, we need stakeholders’ engagement – and this includes capacity building and knowledge sharing,” he said.
Folasade Femi-Lawal, in the same vein, stated that one of the major ways to bridge the talent gap in the industry is to upskill employees.
She said “export of talent is happening all over the world especially and it is important to we build a pool of talent that would quickly fill the industry gap. Despite the export of talent in Africa, many organizations across the world are still looking forward to extending their footprint in Africa.
“So, we need the ADFP to be at the forefront of talent development for the future. Undertaking the Certificate in Digital Money (CIDM) and the Leading Digital Money Markets (LDMM), and other Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI) qualifications certified by the Fletcher School at Tufts University, USA should be encouraged by all institutions especially for those in the financial sector and other related job roles.”
According to Stanley Jacob, ADFP is already producing leaders that are passionate about financial innovation. He charged the newly elected executives of ADFP Lagos to be a major driver of DFS innovation and to collaborate with innovation hubs, banking and finance institutions and other key stakeholders in Nigeria to bridge the talent gap.
Formulated by the Alumni of the Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI) Community of Practice (COP) members, the ADFP Lagos was created to catalyse the capacity of Nigerian Digital Finance Service (DFS) practitioners towards ensuring a greater level of financial inclusion and digital inclusiveness for all. It also seeks to promote digital transformation, ethical work culture within the DFS ecosystem, and contribute to sustainable development.
While delivering the keynote address at the event held on Saturday, December 11, the Chief Executive Officer, Alliance of Digital Finance Associations (The Alliance), Sarah Corley, stated that the inauguration of the Lagos Chapter of ADFP would, no doubt, deepen the DFS ecosystem in Nigeria through the exchange of knowledge, information and promotion of industry best practices.
“ADFP Nigeria is one of the founding members of the Alliance and I am personally happy that we are coming together globally to share a mutual passion about digital finance and to talk about change.
“It’s not just about learning but about how we can use that knowledge to improve digital financial services and better the lives of many people that are financially excluded by enabling them to have access to credit, insurance, loans and other financial services.”
“We are all part of a big ecosystem that include researchers, bankers, product managers etc. We all know that the banking and finance industry will not remain the same in the next 20 years. So, if we are saying Digital Finance is a profession, then we need a professional association to belong with. We should have associations that practitioners can be part of to make an impact and that is the role ADFP would fill,” Corley said.
Since 2016, Nigeria has had over 300 professionals trained in different aspects of digital financial services design and delivery across the domains of operations, technology, and regulation. Such knowledge and skillset cannot guarantee the anticipated impact if not well harnessed.
To achieve this, the country-level Community of Practice was set up to coordinate professional knowledge discourse and practice among DFS enthusiasts undertaking the CIDM, LDMM and other courses.
Graduates of these courses alongside other specialized courses have today become members of alumni networks in over 21 countries across the globe. These alumni networks which have grown into legally registered country associations, continue to play a significant role in deepening the DFS ecosystem through expansive and inclusive professional membership development opportunities, while also contributing to the growth of financial inclusion and the digital economy.
Nigeria has the rare privilege of having two chapters of the alumni network (Lagos and Abuja) under the Association of Digital Finance Practitioners (ADFP), Nigeria. It is the vision of ADFP to be a world-class professional association that will contribute to the evolution and development of the DFS ecosystem.
ADFP in Nigeria is a founding member of the Global Alliance of Digital Finance Associations (ADFA) and registered under the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act CAP C20 LFN 2004.
As a professional association of certified and experienced industry practitioners and academia, AFDP is guided by a constitution under an advisory oversight of a board of trustees. ADFP is run by an executive team with years of experience in both industry and academia.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS) has announced the appointment of Mr Shehu Yahaya Shantali as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
Mr Shantali will succeed Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, who will step down after an eight-year tenure, where he contributed significantly to advancing Nigeria’s capital market infrastructure.
During his tenure, Mr Jalo-Waziri provided visionary and results-driven leadership that delivered sustained growth and far-reaching transformation across the organisation.
He led the successful execution of critical strategic initiatives, strengthened governance and operational effectiveness, and modernised the company’s systems and processes, positioning the organisation for long-term resilience and competitiveness.
His leadership significantly enhanced stakeholder confidence, deepened the organisation’s market relevance both domestically and internationally, and established a strong, future-ready foundation for continued success.
Commenting on the appointment, the Chairman of the CSCS board, Mr Temi Popoola, said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our profound appreciation to Haruna Jalo-Waziri for his outstanding service to CSCS. Under his leadership, the company recorded notable milestones and built an impressive legacy of operational excellence, innovation, and stakeholder confidence. We thank him sincerely for his dedication and impact.
“We are equally delighted to welcome Shehu Shantali as the new Chief Executive Officer of CSCS. He brings a wealth of experience, deep industry knowledge, and a strong strategic vision. The Board is confident that he will build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor and lead the Company into its next phase of growth.”
Mr Shehu Yahaya Shantali holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an Executive MBA from Kingston Business School. He has over two decades of experience in accounting, finance, and financial services across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with expertise spanning investment and asset management, financial advisory, and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
His career cuts across capital markets, investment banking, real estate, and financial services, and is underpinned by a decade at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, where he championed the migration of publicly listed and significant public interest entities from Nigerian GAAP to IFRS and led the Commission’s transition to the contributory pension scheme in 2012.
Mr Shantali has built deep experience in financial inclusion, digital financial infrastructure, and the development of scalable, market-wide platforms that expand access to regulated financial services. As Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Apricot Investments Limited, he led the development of the MicroWorld platform, enabling the distribution of structured financial products, including micro-health, micro-pension, micro-housing, micro-insurance, and micro-investment solutions.
Earlier in his career, his team developed Nigeria’s first contactless payment solution, and he played a pioneering role in POS-based agency banking and early mobile-money interoperability on the NIBSS NIP platform, supporting efficient payments, settlement, and system-wide connectivity.
Reflecting on his tenure, the outgoing CEO, Mr Jalo-Waziri, stated: “It has been an honour to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of CSCS. I am proud of what we have achieved together as a team and grateful for the support of the Board, management, regulators, and all our stakeholders. I am confident that CSCS is well-positioned for the future, and I wish my successor every success as he takes the company forward.
In his remarks, the incoming CEO, Mr Shantali, said: “I am deeply honoured by the confidence the Board has placed in me with this appointment. CSCS plays a critical role in Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem, and I look forward to working with the Board, management, staff, regulators, and market participants to strengthen the Company’s leadership position further, deliver value to stakeholders, and support the continued growth and stability of the capital market.”
In a statement, CSCS Plc commended Mr Jalo-Waziri for his contributions to enhancing the company’s operational capabilities and fostering market development during his tenure with the organisation.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement as it continues to support the Nigerian capital market.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), following the Senate’s confirmation of its members on December 16.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
He noted that the board is chaired by Mr Musiliu Olalekan Oseni, who started his service as a Commissioner in January 2017. He was subsequently appointed Vice Chairman of the commission.
His appointment as Chairman took effect from December 1, 2025, and shall subsist until the completion of his ten-year tenure at the commission, in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023.
Mr Yusuf Ali is now the Vice Chairman. He was first appointed as a Commissioner in February 2022. His designation as Vice Chairman took effect on 1 December 2025 and shall remain in effect until the completion of his first term.
The others are; Mr Nathan Rogers Shatti — Commissioner. He is serving a second term as commissioner. He was first appointed in January 2017.
Mr Dafe Akpeneye — Commissioner. He is serving a second term, having been first appointed as a Commissioner in January 2017.
Mrs Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello — Commissioner. She is serving her second term, having been first appointed as a Commissioner in December 2020.
Mr Chidi Ike, PhD— Commissioner. He is serving his first term, having been first appointed as a Commissioner in February 2022.
Mr Fouad Animashaun, PhD — Commissioner. He is serving his first term, effective December 2025. He is an energy economist with extensive experience in the Nigerian power sector and most recently served as Executive Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
President Tinubu charged the board members of NERC to deepen and consolidate the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s power sector, in strict alignment with the letter and spirit of the Electricity Act, 2023.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, has resigned alongside his counterpart at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr Gbenga Komolafe.
Based on the development, President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm new chief executives for the two agencies.
The President’s request was contained in separate letters to the Senate on Wednesday, according to a statement signed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, late on Wednesday.
Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
To fill these positions, President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Mr Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.
Mr Ahmed’s resignation comes amid a high-profile conflict with businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, who alleged that the NMDPRA chief and his family were living beyond their legitimate means, citing millions of Dollars allegedly spent on overseas schooling for his four children.
Mr Eyesan, a graduate of Economics from the University of Benin, spent nearly 33 years with the NNPC and its subsidiaries. She retired as Executive Vice President, Upstream (2023–2024), and previously served as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at NNPC from 2019 to 2023.
Mr Mohammed, born in 1957 in Gombe, graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 with a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering. He was announced today as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.
His prior roles include Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company, as well as Chair of the boards of West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries, and NNPC Retail.
He also served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power Directorate, where he provided strategic leadership for major gas projects and policy frameworks, including the Gas Masterplan, Gas Network Code, and contributions to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He played a pivotal role in delivering key projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train.
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