As regulatory standards tighten and institutional sustainability becomes a growing concern, a new wave of governance-focused leadership is emerging within Nigeria’s microfinance sector. At the hearAs regulatory standards tighten and institutional sustainability becomes a growing concern, a new wave of governance-focused leadership is emerging within Nigeria’s microfinance sector. At the heart of this shift is the Board and Executive Program (BEP)—an intensive leadership development initiative designed to recalibrate the thinking and effectiveness of boardroom executives steering microfinance institutions.
Hosted in Lagos by the Microfinance Learning and Development Centre (MLDC), the BEP brought together Chairpersons, Managing Directors, and Executive Directors from over 10 licensed microfinance banks for a rigorous three-day engagement centered on redefining board responsibilities, strategic direction, and executive accountability.
The Program: A Strategic Reset for Microfinance Leadership
The BEP was not another conference—it was a working retreat built around real institutional challenges, forward-looking governance tools, and an honest dialogue about the future of microfinance leadership in Nigeria. The program’s modules were structured to address critical themes such as:
- Strategic governance and high-performance board practices
- Regulatory oversight and compliance expectations from the Central Bank of Nigeria
- Risk ownership and ethical decision-making at the board level
- Digital transformation and what it means for boardroom priorities
- Board-executive alignment and succession planning
Faculty Highlights included leading voices in finance, regulation, and governance:
- Prof. Franklin Nnaemeka Ngwu (PhD), Associate Professor of Strategy, Corporate Governance and Risk Management, Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University
- Mr. Taiwo Joda , Managing Director, Accion Microfinance Bank Limited
- Mr. David Adelana , Head, Microfinance Division, Central Bank of Nigeria
- Mrs. Bunmi Morenike Lawson, Director, EdFin MfB (Education Finance), Multi-board director and sector expert
Each facilitator led sessions rooted in practical realities, offering participants a bridge between regulation, strategy, and operational execution.
A Sector-Wide Call to Governance Renewal
In her closing remarks, Dr. Tokunbo Martins, PhD, Chairperson of the Mldc NG Board, Chairperson of Guaranty Trust and former Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, described the MLDC’s role as one “born out of the critical needs of the industry, critical skills, and capabilities in order to perform its objectives.”
Her comments, featured in the just-released post-program video, echo a growing consensus: that institutional resilience in microfinance will be built not by product innovation alone, but by a well-researched and concerted effort towards tackling the very challenges that threaten the sustainability of the sector.
The Bigger Picture: For the Nigerian microfinance sector tasked with supporting financial inclusion, economic growth, and the underserved, the quality of leadership at the top cannot be overstated. BEP continues to set the tone for a new era of responsible, proactive, and strategic leadership.
In the words of Eno Daniel, the Managing Director of Oche Microfinance bank in Imo state, “This program handled areas that are very key to the growth of the Nigerian microfinance sector.”
As the sector continues to evolve, initiatives like the Board and Executive Program will remain essential in bridging the leadership gaps that threaten performance, compliance, and public trust. MLDC, through programs like BEP, is laying the groundwork for a stronger, smarter microfinance ecosystem in Nigeria.
To learn more about upcoming editions of the BEP or to request institutional participation: training@mldc-ng.com | 🌐 www.mldc-ng.comt of this shift is the Board and Executive Program (BEP)—an intensive leadership development initiative designed to recalibrate the thinking and effectiveness of boardroom executives steering microfinance institutions.
Hosted in Lagos by the Microfinance Learning and Development Centre (MLDC), the BEP brought together Chairpersons, Managing Directors, and Executive Directors from over 10 licensed microfinance banks for a rigorous three-day engagement centered on redefining board responsibilities, strategic direction, and executive accountability.
The Program: A Strategic Reset for Microfinance Leadership
The BEP was not another conference—it was a working retreat built around real institutional challenges, forward-looking governance tools, and an honest dialogue about the future of microfinance leadership in Nigeria. The program’s modules were structured to address critical themes such as:
- Strategic governance and high-performance board practices
- Regulatory oversight and compliance expectations from the Central Bank of Nigeria
- Risk ownership and ethical decision-making at the board level
- Digital transformation and what it means for boardroom priorities
- Board-executive alignment and succession planning
Faculty Highlights included leading voices in finance, regulation, and governance:
- Prof. Franklin Nnaemeka Ngwu (PhD), Associate Professor of Strategy, Corporate Governance and Risk Management, Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University
- Mr. Taiwo Joda , Managing Director, Accion Microfinance Bank Limited
- Mr. David Adelana , Head, Microfinance Division, Central Bank of Nigeria
- Mrs. Bunmi Morenike Lawson, Director, EdFin MfB (Education Finance), Multi-board director and sector expert
Each facilitator led sessions rooted in practical realities, offering participants a bridge between regulation, strategy, and operational execution.
A Sector-Wide Call to Governance Renewal
In her closing remarks, Dr. Tokunbo Martins, PhD, Chairperson of the Mldc NG Board, Chairperson of Guaranty Trust and former Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, described the MLDC’s role as one “born out of the critical needs of the industry, critical skills, and capabilities in order to perform its objectives.”
Her comments, featured in the just-released post-program video, echo a growing consensus: that institutional resilience in microfinance will be built not by product innovation alone, but by a well-researched and concerted effort towards tackling the very challenges that threaten the sustainability of the sector.
The Bigger Picture: For the Nigerian microfinance sector tasked with supporting financial inclusion, economic growth, and the underserved, the quality of leadership at the top cannot be overstated. BEP continues to set the tone for a new era of responsible, proactive, and strategic leadership.
In the words of Eno Daniel, the Managing Director of Oche Microfinance bank in Imo state, “This program handled areas that are very key to the growth of the Nigerian microfinance sector.”
As the sector continues to evolve, initiatives like the Board and Executive Program will remain essential in bridging the leadership gaps that threaten performance, compliance, and public trust. MLDC, through programs like BEP, is laying the groundwork for a stronger, smarter microfinance ecosystem in Nigeria.
To learn more about upcoming editions of the BEP or to request institutional participation: training@mldc-ng.com | 🌐 www.mldc-ng.com
Leave A Comment