Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria has reaffirmed its leadership in professional development and financial innovation with the launch of the 2025 edition of its annual Finance Master Class (FMC), a flagship learning platform that brings together finance professionals from across the West Africa region.
The event, which takes place from October 21 to 22, 2025, will be held in a hybrid format with both physical and virtual participation. It will feature a diverse line-up of experts drawn from banking, accounting, fintech, and technology sectors to discuss new trends shaping the global and regional financial landscape.
According to a statement by the bank on Monday, the FMC has become a benchmark for professional excellence and thought leadership within Nigeria’s finance sector. It brings together finance professionals across all departments to share insights on emerging trends, innovations, and best practices that are shaping the future of financial management.
The Finance Master Class is accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and fulfils the Institute’s Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) requirements. The partnership between Standard Chartered and ICAN has been praised as a model for advancing the finance profession through collaboration and structured learning.
Anchored by the bank’s finance division and supported by volunteers across its network, the FMC has grown steadily in reach and impact since inception. It gained international recognition when it received the 2022 Standard Chartered CEO’s Award for the 2021 edition themed “Are You Future Ready?”
Speaking about this year’s programme, the Executive Director and Cluster Chief Financial Officer for West Africa at Standard Chartered Nigeria, Dayo Omolokun, said the FMC remains a signature platform for empowering finance professionals across the region.
“The FMC is our flagship learning platform for over 150 professionally qualified accountants and finance practitioners across six West African countries,” Omolokun said.
“Participants engage with experts to explore developments shaping the world of finance — from global economic shifts and technology-driven innovations to new accounting standards and the future of work. It equips professionals to understand the interconnectivity of global and local financial trends.”
The 2025 edition is themed “Beyond Imagination” and will focus on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Open Banking are reshaping financial services across Africa. Omolokun noted that both technologies would redefine how banks, fintechs, and regulators collaborate in the coming years.
“AI is already driving smarter decision-making, personalised financial services, and efficient fraud detection,” he said. “With Open Banking coming to Nigeria in 2026, data silos will be dismantled, giving customers more control and enabling collaboration between banks and fintechs. Together, AI and Open Banking will transform the sector beyond imagination.”
Confirmed speakers for the 2025 edition include Adedeji Olowe, Founder/CEO of Lendsqr; Joel Omeike, Founder/CEO of P4PE; Lanre Basamta, Co-founder and CEO of Optimus AI Labs; Chijioke Odo, Partner & West Africa Global Trade Lead at Deloitte; and Ade Shokoya, Strategy Consultant and Agile Transformation Expert.
Also expected to speak are senior leaders from Standard Chartered, including Chemutai Murgor, CFO for Kenya and Africa; Dalu Ajene, CEO, Standard Chartered Nigeria; and Dayo Omolokun himself.
Over the years, the FMC has featured leading voices in the Nigerian and African financial ecosystem, such as Temi Popoola, Group CEO of Nigerian Exchange Group; Dr. Doyin Salami, former Presidential Economic Adviser; Dr. Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Limited; Dr. Sola Adeduntan, former Group MD of First Bank; Oreoluwa Boboye, CEO of Jobberman; and Bisi Lamikanra, former Partner at KPMG.
With its continued focus on innovation, professional excellence, and collaboration, the FMC remains one of the most influential finance learning initiatives in the region. It continues to position Standard Chartered Bank as a leader in developing future-ready finance professionals and driving transformation in Africa’s financial ecosystem.
