Professor Chris Onalo is a visionary leader, pioneer, founder, father, and driver of credit management profession, renowned for his transformative contributions and advocacy for credit economy and financial inclusion. As the “Founder and Father of Credit Management” in Nigeria, Onalo has driven the country’s transition towards a credit-based economy, promoting credit and financial literacy, and responsible management of credit transactions and compliance practices industry-wide.
Key Achievements:
- Founded the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), now the National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) chartered, which inspired Nigeria’s Federal Government’s decision to formally proclaim Credit Management a national profession with its qualifications nationally and globally recognized, thus professionalizing credit management and an academic course of study in Nigeria
- Established the Postgraduate School of Credit and Financial Management (PSCFM), offering professional advanced and postgraduate studies in credit and financial management, accredited under NICA Act no 26 of 2022
- Founded Credit Business Services Global Ltd (CBS), which provides independent Company Credit Report (CCR) to guide any management decisions to do or not to do business with a company as part of due diligence. This is totally and broadly different from the credit bureau report.
- Developed expertise in credit guarantee scheme operations and management, corporate credit policy drafting, and credit management services provider’s accreditation
- Designed informal sector credit administration training & certification programmes, enhancing financial inclusion
- Created business owner self-creditworthiness assessment and psychometric creditworthiness evaluation programmes, promoting responsible borrowing, credit culture and people-centred national economy
International Influence:
- Served as International Director of the London Postgraduate Credit Management College (LPCMC), promoting Nigerian credit management expertise globally
- Contributed to global credit management curriculum development, enhancing international best practices
- Shared Nigerian credit management experiences, influencing credit administration in other countries
Impact:
- Transformed Nigeria’s credit landscape, promoting transparency and responsible credit practices
- Contributed to financial inclusion, supporting entrepreneurship and economic growth
- Inspired a generation of credit professionals, shaping Nigeria’s credit economy
- Elevated Nigeria’s credit management profile globally, fostering international cooperation and knowledge sharing
Professor Onalo’s profound expertise and innovative approaches have cemented his legacy as a champion of credit-based economy and financial inclusion, promoting credit and financial literacy, and responsible management of credit transactions and compliance practices industry-wide.
chrisonalo-nica@icanigeria.net
