By Bamidele Ogunwusi
Copyright independent
The 2025 Conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) has secured robust backing from Nigeria’s leading financial regulators and institutions, reaffirming its role as a premier platform for shaping the discourse on the country’s digital economy.
Key supporters of this year’s edition include the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). They are joined by Zenith Bank, First City Monument Bank, Unity Bank, and Stanbic IBTC, among other major financial players.
Their participation underscores the growing recognition that digital transformation is now central to taxation, banking, and finance in Nigeria.
Now in its 35th edition, the FICAN Annual Conference will take place on September 20, 2025, at Orchid Hotels, Dreamworld Africana Way, Lekki, Lagos. Themed “Bracing for the Digital Economy in Nigeria: Taxation, Banking and Finance,” the event will convene top policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and the media to exchange insights and chart strategies for navigating the fast-changing digital landscape.
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, is expected to highlight how Nigeria can leverage technology to strengthen tax administration and boost government revenues in the digital era.
Also billed to deliver keynote addresses are Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of UBA, and Mr. Babatunde Olofin, Managing Director of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank Limited. Both executives will provide perspectives on how financial institutions can reposition for a digital-first economy while ensuring financial inclusion and systemic stability.
The conference will also feature a panel session with representatives from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), NDIC, Nigerian Association of Internet Analysts (NAIA), Dangote Group, PalmPay, the Nigeria Customs Service, and academics like Dr. Yinka David-West of Lagos Business School.
According to FICAN’s executive, led by Mr. Chima Titus Nwokoji, the dual objectives of the conference are to build the capacity of financial journalists and to set the agenda for critical discussions on Nigeria’s economy. With more than 150 members across print, broadcast, and online media, FICAN has long positioned its annual gathering as a bridge between policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and the press.
“This year’s edition is particularly significant because it coincides with our 35th anniversary,” the association said. “As Nigeria navigates the complexities of a digital economy, this platform will provide critical ideas and solutions that can guide stakeholders in taxation, banking, and finance.”
With the active involvement of government agencies, regulators, bankers, fintech innovators, academics, and the media, the 2025 FICAN Conference is set to make landmark contributions to Nigeria’s digital economy roadmap.
