Babcock University and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) have celebrated a significant milestone in their partnership with the groundbreaking of the Bankers Hall, a 160-seater fully digitalized endowment project.
The event, held January 24 at the University’s main campus in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun state, had CIBN executives, the Olofi of Ilishan, Oba Mojeed Sonuga, and university principal officers, students, staff, and faculty in attendance.
According to CIBN President, Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, the project is a recognition of Babcock University’s shared values with the institute and its commitment to building young people and preparing them for the future.
“It’s the first time that the CIBN will be endorsing a private University with an endowment project. We believe that private universities also contribute to human capacity building,” he said.
Prof. Ademola Tayo, President/Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, expressed his gratitude for the CIBN’s support, highlighting the long-standing and robust relationship between the two institutions. “The partnership has promoted financial literacy, shaped the future of professionals, and enhanced the university’s infrastructure,” he noted.
The Bankers Hall is expected to serve as a hub for research, learning, and skills development.
“Preparing students for the future means equipping them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly-changing environment,” said Mrs. Mojisola Bakare-Asieru, Second Vice President of the CIBN.
The initiative reflects the CIBN’s commitment to promoting education, excellence, and professionalism in the banking industry, according to Mr. Akin Morakinyo, Registrar/CEO of the CIBN.
Dean of School of Management Sciences Prof Samuel Dada said that Babcock University and the CIBN have a long standing robust relationship dating back to September 2012 when they signed an MoU on linkage programme to enable undergraduates in the Department of Finance to register for ACIB examinations with some exemptions on graduation.
The Institute signed a second MoU on linkage programme with Babcock University in April, 2015 to allow any postgraduate student undergoing the M.Sc or MBA programme in Banking and Finance to write examinations in prescribed 5 subjects and at graduation are awarded M.Sc by Babcock University and ACIB from CIBN.
Prof Dada said that many Babcock University finance graduates who underwent the M.Sc programme have benefited from this arrangement.
Babcock University was accredited as an examination centre for the ACIB in 2010, and has remained a credible centre since then.
In addition, Babcock University has “the enviable record of producing three Presidents of CIBN to date (two past presidents- Prof Wole Adewumi and Prof. Segun Ajibola) as well as the current president, Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju) who were faculty members in the Department of Finance. A PhD graduate of Business Administration and Marketing, Dr. Seye Awojobi, has also served as the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Institute,” the Dean said.
Student representative Oluwatosin Noibi expressed his appreciation to the CIBN for the gift, saying, “This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration and will have a lasting impact on the university and the wider community.”
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