Polaris Bank Chairman Kassim Gidado Urges Integrity, Lifelong Learning at 2026 CIBN Chartered Banker Induction
The Chairman of Polaris Bank, Dr. Kassim Gidado, has called on newly inducted banking professionals to uphold integrity, pursue continuous learning, and demonstrate ethical leadership as they navigate the rapidly evolving financial services sector.
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), Gidado said the future of the banking industry would depend largely on the professionalism and ethical standards of its practitioners.
The induction ceremony, held in Lagos over the weekend, saw a total of 2,037 professionals admitted into the prestigious Chartered Banker and Microfinance Certified Banker cadre of the Institute, marking a major milestone in their professional careers.
According to the Institute, the inductees emerged through several certification pathways. These include 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 inducted members comprise 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.
In his address, Gidado described the induction ceremony as more than a formal event, noting that it symbolises excellence, perseverance and professional discipline within the banking industry.
He observed that the financial services sector is currently undergoing rapid transformation driven by digital innovation, financial inclusion initiatives, regulatory reforms and emerging technologies.
“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.
Despite these technological changes, the Polaris Bank chairman stressed that trust remains the most valuable currency in the banking industry.
According to him, the credibility and stability of the financial system ultimately depend on the integrity and professionalism of banking professionals.
Gidado commended the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria for its sustained commitment to strengthening professional standards, building industry capacity and nurturing the next generation of banking leaders in the country.
He also highlighted the importance of investing in human capital within financial institutions.
“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.
Gidado further advised the newly inducted Chartered Bankers to be guided by three core principles throughout their careers — integrity, lifelong learning and purposeful leadership.
The 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony brought together industry leaders, regulators, banking professionals and other stakeholders to celebrate professional excellence and reinforce the role of professional certification in strengthening Nigeria’s financial system.
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