By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku Lafia
The Executive Director of Fidelity Bank, Kevin Ugwuoke, has officially taken over as President of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), promising transformative reforms to strengthen institutional resilience, support economic stability, and elevate professional standards in risk management.
Ugwuoke, in his inaugural speech, outlined an ambitious roadmap that includes revising the Institute’s curriculum to reflect emerging global risks, introducing specialized certifications, and launching a National Risk Observatory to provide real-time risk intelligence for both the public and private sectors.
“Digital innovation will be central to CRMI’s operations going forward. We are automating back-end processes, scaling virtual training, and using technology to expand our reach across Nigeria and beyond,” Ugwuoke emphasized.
The outgoing CRMI President, Professor Ezekiel Oseni, commended the new leadership while urging continuity and advancement.
He highlighted milestones achieved during his tenure, including securing the Institute’s chartered status, expanding partnerships, and enhancing international visibility.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of UBA Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Chukwuma Nweke, described Ugwuoke as a respected and capable successor.
“With Professor Oseni passing the baton to Kevin Ugwuoke , a highly regarded figure in the risk management ecosystem , we are confident that CRMI is positioned for even greater accomplishments,” he said.
Nweke further underscored the importance of embedding risk into institutional strategy amidst rising economic challenges, stating that “risk must be viewed not as a cost center but as a strategic asset that drives resilience and inspires investor confidence.”
As part of the event, 11 seasoned professionals were awarded the Fellow of Chartered Risk Manager (FCRMI), while 21 new members were inducted as Chartered Risk Managers (CRM).
A new Governing Council was also inaugurated to steer the Institute’s affairs for the 2025–2027 term, signaling a renewed direction for policy, capacity building, and sectoral leadership.
