Polaris Chairman Gidado Urges Integrity as 2,037 Bankers Join CIBN
Polaris Bank Chairman Dr. Kassim Gidado has urged newly inducted banking professionals in Nigeria to uphold integrity, embrace continuous learning, and lead with ethical responsibility. Speaking at the 2026 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Gidado told the 2,037 inductees that trust remains the most valuable currency in the banking industry despite rapid technological changes.
Trust is the backbone of banking — and without it, the entire financial system risks collapse.
Chairman of Polaris Bank, Dr. Kassim Gidado, has delivered a powerful message to Nigeria’s next generation of banking professionals, urging them to make integrity, ethical leadership, and lifelong learning the guiding principles of their careers.
Speaking at the 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos, Gidado challenged the newly certified bankers to recognise that professional credibility, not just technology or capital, will determine the future of Nigeria’s financial sector.
The Chairman of Polaris Bank, Dr. Kassim Gidado, has called on newly inducted banking professionals to uphold integrity, embrace continuous learning, and demonstrate ethical leadership as they navigate Nigeria’s rapidly evolving financial services landscape.
Gidado made the call while delivering his remarks as Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
The ceremony, held in Lagos at the weekend, celebrated the induction of 2,037 professionals into the prestigious Chartered Banker and Microfinance Certified Banker cadres of the Institute — marking a significant milestone in their professional careers.
According to the Institute, the inductees emerged through multiple certification pathways, including:
*9 candidates via the Chartered Banker/MBA route
*816 candidates through the Chartered Banker Regular Route
*25 candidates through the MSc/Chartered Banker pathway
*262 candidates through the SMP/AMP/Chartered Banker pathway
*435 Microfinance Certified Professionals
The inductees include executives, senior and middle-level managers 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 of partner tertiary institutions.
In his keynote remarks, Gidado described the induction ceremony as more than a routine professional event, noting that it represents a celebration of excellence, perseverance, and professional discipline within Nigeria’s banking industry.
“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 the rapid transformation brought by technology, he stressed that trust remains the most valuable currency in banking, adding that the stability and credibility of the financial system depend largely on the integrity and professionalism of banking professionals.
“While technology continues to reshape the industry, trust remains the true currency of banking. The strength of any financial system ultimately rests on the integrity and professionalism of those who operate it,” Gidado noted.
The Polaris Bank chairman also commended the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) for its consistent efforts in strengthening professional standards, building industry capacity, and nurturing the next generation of banking leaders.
He further emphasised the importance of investing in human capital development within the financial services sector.
“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, an accomplished academic, encouraged the newly inducted Chartered Bankers to build their careers around three key principles, ranging from Integrity,
Commitment to lifelong learning, and
Purpose-driven leadership.
Meanwhile, the 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony brought together industry leaders, regulators, banking professionals, and stakeholders to celebrate professional excellence and reinforce the importance of professional certification in strengthening Nigeria’s financial system.
