The National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA), chartered, on Wednesday held the 10th Nigeria Credit Managers Industry Awards, alongside the 2025 National Credit Managers Conference, induction of new members and graduation of MCMAIP students, at the Vintano Hotel, Lagos.
The event attracted impressive gathering of dignitaries and top industry leaders, including Dr. Doris Nkiruka Anite, the Minister of State for Finance, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor and Dr. Adaora Umeoji, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc. The Institutional special guest, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, Speaker of the 8th Assembly (June 2015-June2019) and Chairman of the Board of the National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC), conveyed his regrets for being unavoidably absent due to prior engagements in Europe. He extended his best wishes for a successful and impactful conference.
Other attendees included policymakers, regulators, captains of industry, financial experts, entrepreneurs and credit professionals from across the country.
The President of NICA’s Governing Council, Mr. Andy Ojei, FICA, was represented by the Vice President and Chairperson of the Council, Dr. Mrs. Markie Idowu, who reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to developing a strong credit economy culture for Nigeria. In her words, she said “Our vision is to internationalize credit management profession, fulfilling the dream of our founder, Professor Chris Onalo, who has been instrumental to the development of credit management profession in Nigeria spanning over three decades”. She also noted that credit remains central to enterprise growth, financial inclusion, industrial expansionism and national stability.
Delivering the keynote address, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Biodun Adedipe, FICA, spoke extensively on the conference theme, “Credit Policy and Regulation: The
Frameworks and Policies That Impact Credit Management in Nigeria.” He emphasised the role of sound regulation, transparency and credit data in building a vibrant credit market.
A panel session featuring three industry professionals which inludes, Dr. Femi Macaulay, Dr. Olufemi Muraino, FICA and Dr. Ozamah Mohammed, FICA, further enriched the discussions. Audience members asked questions on credit risk,
lending behaviour, enforcement mechanisms and technological innovations, which the panellists addressed with practical, experience-based insights.
This year’s Nigeria Credit Industry Awards honoured excellence across multiple categories, including Chief Credit Risk Officer of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Executive Director of the Year, Corporate Debt Recovery Professional, Outstanding Credit Bureau Director and Best Credit Customer of the Year.
NICA announced that it will publish a Post-Conference Special Event Edition, which will feature comprehensive coverage of the proceedings, major highlights, key insights, and contributions from dignitaries and industry leaders in The Credit Manager Magazine.
Participants described the entire event as a resounding success. Attendees praised the elegant Vintano Hotel venue, the smooth and well-coordinated programme, the engaging MCs, and the excellent hospitality, noting that guests enjoyed an abundance of food and refreshments throughout the ceremony.
The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Chris Onalo, FICA, commended the award recipients, inductees and MCMAIP graduates, emphasizing that the Institute will continue to champion professionalism, capacity building development, ethical standards and structured credit administration in Nigeria.
The ceremony concluded with networking sessions, award presentations and induction of new members into the Institute.
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