SPEAKERS AND AGENDA

CEO/MANAGING PARTNER, EMPYREAN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. Dr. Adeniyi Bamgboye is a highly accomplished,  dual-qualified Chartered Accountant who holds a Doctor of Business  Administration (DBA) in Accounting. He is a Chartered Accountant, Tax Practitioner, Training Facilitator, Lecturer, Author, ACCA Award winner, and Business Advisor with o

CEO/MANAGING PARTNER, EMPYREAN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. Dr. Adeniyi Bamgboye is a highly accomplished,  dual-qualified Chartered Accountant who holds a Doctor of Business  Administration (DBA) in Accounting. He is a Chartered Accountant, Tax Practitioner, Training Facilitator, Lecturer, Author, ACCA Award winner, and Business Advisor with over 15 years of real-world professional experience. Dr. Bamgboye is a Business Columnist at BusinessDay.

REGISTRAR GENERAL/CEO,  CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PROJECT MANAGERS OF NIGERIA (CIPMN). 

As CEO/Registrar General, he has led significant reforms in the professionalization of project management in Nigeria. Under his leadership, CIPMN has developed a national project management curriculum in collaboration with the National Universities Commiss

REGISTRAR GENERAL/CEO,  CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PROJECT MANAGERS OF NIGERIA (CIPMN). 

As CEO/Registrar General, he has led significant reforms in the professionalization of project management in Nigeria. Under his leadership, CIPMN has developed a national project management curriculum in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC), expanded certification and licensing of project managers, and introduced frameworks for accreditation, regulation, and ethical standards in the profession.

FOUNDER & CEO, CITIZENS TRUST FINANCE GROUP. James is a dynamic financial services leader with deep expertise in strategy, risk, and technology transformation. His strengths in banking, audit, and cybersecurity makes him a valuable asset for board service, with proven success driving growth and innovation. He brings extensive experience f

FOUNDER & CEO, CITIZENS TRUST FINANCE GROUP. James is a dynamic financial services leader with deep expertise in strategy, risk, and technology transformation. His strengths in banking, audit, and cybersecurity makes him a valuable asset for board service, with proven success driving growth and innovation. He brings extensive experience from large-scale banking operations, community banks, and governmental organizations, as well as board leadership at the Reserve Bank of South Africa,  where he chaired the Audit and Risk Committee. His governance and risk acumen enhance organizational resilience, while his advocacy for strategic partnerships fuels competitive advantage.

He has provided Board Leadership in several financial organistions, and served in leadership roles with the boards of J&G Bancorp, Inc.; Reserve Banks of South Africa; Independent Bankers of South Africa; South African Chamber of Commerce; Bankers Association; Professional Bankers Association of South Africa, etc.. and initiated all regulatory bank start-up applications; developed new strategic plan.

MANAGING DIRECTOR / CEO, ROKEL COMMERCIAL BANK LTD.

Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin is a prominent Sierra Leonean financial expert, economist, and  the Managing Director/CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank. He has over 30 years of international experience in banking & finance. He was appointed managing director/CEO in 2017. He holds graduate degrees a

MANAGING DIRECTOR / CEO, ROKEL COMMERCIAL BANK LTD.

Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin is a prominent Sierra Leonean financial expert, economist, and  the Managing Director/CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank. He has over 30 years of international experience in banking & finance. He was appointed managing director/CEO in 2017. He holds graduate degrees and professional qualifications in economics, international relations, finance public policy and debt management.

Oluyemi Adeosun, PhD, DTM, MCIPM, SPHRi, GPHR is a  top-performing Human Resource Executive, Economist, and Researcher with over 23 years of experience across diverse sectors including Power, Oil & Gas, Telecommunications, Fintech, Broadcasting, ICT, Real Estate, Advertising, Academia, and Consulting. Until recently, he served as Chief Ec

Oluyemi Adeosun, PhD, DTM, MCIPM, SPHRi, GPHR is a  top-performing Human Resource Executive, Economist, and Researcher with over 23 years of experience across diverse sectors including Power, Oil & Gas, Telecommunications, Fintech, Broadcasting, ICT, Real Estate, Advertising, Academia, and Consulting. Until recently, he served as Chief Economist at BusinessDay Media, and sits on the boards of five organisations.   

PRESIDENT & CEO, MONROE CAPITAL AND INVESTMENTS LLC. As the President & CEO of an investment management and financial services firm, Marilyn is dedicated to capitalizing, modernizing, and strengthening America's Minority Depository Institutions. She brings nearly 20 years of experience across law, policy, and public affairs to her  curren

PRESIDENT & CEO, MONROE CAPITAL AND INVESTMENTS LLC. As the President & CEO of an investment management and financial services firm, Marilyn is dedicated to capitalizing, modernizing, and strengthening America's Minority Depository Institutions. She brings nearly 20 years of experience across law, policy, and public affairs to her  current role where she's advocating for inclusive policies, practices, programs, and partnerships that deploy more capital and opportunities for financial wellness into minority communities.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/CEO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MICROFINANCE BANKS 

Mr. Orok is a graduate of Sociology & Anthropology from the  University of Uyo, Nigeria.  He has held several positions including, Head, Human Resources and Admin, Head Disbursement and Loan Recovery, Head  Credit and Recollection, Head, Corporate & Cooperatives Business 

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/CEO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MICROFINANCE BANKS 

Mr. Orok is a graduate of Sociology & Anthropology from the  University of Uyo, Nigeria.  He has held several positions including, Head, Human Resources and Admin, Head Disbursement and Loan Recovery, Head  Credit and Recollection, Head, Corporate & Cooperatives Business  (all in Triple A Microfinance Bank) and Managing Director, Grand  Microfinance Bank Ltd (in formation).

PRESIDENT OF NIGERIAN INDONESIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY. 

Mr. Balogun is also  the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goldmine Global Services Ltd. Under his leadership, NICCI has seen remarkable growth in trade and investment, with Nigeria Indonesia trade volume rising from $2 billion in 2000 to $4.7 billion in 2023.

He spearheaded 

PRESIDENT OF NIGERIAN INDONESIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY. 

Mr. Balogun is also  the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goldmine Global Services Ltd. Under his leadership, NICCI has seen remarkable growth in trade and investment, with Nigeria Indonesia trade volume rising from $2 billion in 2000 to $4.7 billion in 2023.

He spearheaded the Nigerian Indonesian Investment and Trade Forum, an annual platform attracting foreign investment and enhancing bilateral economic ties. NICCI’s mission includes expanding Nigeria-Indonesia trade relations and creating value for its members through trade missions, economic forums, and policy dialogues. Today, Nigeria is Indonesia’s number one trading partner in Africa.

A visionary entrepreneur, Mr. Balogun founded Goldmine Global Group in 2005, facilitating the establishment of over 120 industries across Nigeria. He also serves as a United States Agency for International Development/New Extension and Advisory Services (USAID/NEXXT) business consultant and a United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) advisor in Nigeria.

Passionate about social impact, he is a board member of the Africa Asia Scholars Global Network (AASGON), the Nigerian Indian Business Council (NIBC), and an International fellow of the South Asian Institute for
Advanced Research and Development (SAIARD-SI). He has shared his insights on leading media platforms including but not limited to Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC Africa), Arise News Television (Arise TV), and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).. 

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO, EDG FINANCIAL GROUP, TANZANIA

Chris White is a financial market organizer and economic-mobility finance leader who designs and builds the partnerships and market infrastructure that connect private capital to underserved business ecosystems, communities, and institutions.  

His work spans capital markets, mission-d

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO, EDG FINANCIAL GROUP, TANZANIA

Chris White is a financial market organizer and economic-mobility finance leader who designs and builds the partnerships and market infrastructure that connect private capital to underserved business ecosystems, communities, and institutions.  

His work spans capital markets, mission-driven banking, philanthropy, and public policy by curating strategic partnerships that expand credit, ownership, resilience, and wealth-building opportunities for Tanzanian families and entrepreneurs.   

Most recently, Mr. Waggie served as Deputy Managing Director of the Sheer Financial Services Ltd. He led efforts to strengthen the mission-driven banking sector's ability to leverage capital markets to expand opportunity and household wealth, including a $50 million first-of-a-kind impact fixed income engagement with Citigroup Global Markets that bridged investors, family offices, and national philanthropies. 

He collaborated regularly with the Capital Markets Authority's “Making Missing Markets" team and the Zen Institute to advance economic mobility in targeted local communities.  His work focused on equipping mission-driven financial institutions with the capital, partnerships, and operating capabilities to address national small-business challenges across finance, technology modernization, and resilience. 

FOUNDER & CEO, CAPE OUTSOURCING & HOSPITALITY (PRIVATE) LTD. As an entrepreneur, founder and CEO, Nicole has the opportunity to design and implement programs that support mission-driven community lenders fuel economic growth, create jobs and sustainable development in under-resourced communities. 

After an extensive career in banking, Nico

FOUNDER & CEO, CAPE OUTSOURCING & HOSPITALITY (PRIVATE) LTD. As an entrepreneur, founder and CEO, Nicole has the opportunity to design and implement programs that support mission-driven community lenders fuel economic growth, create jobs and sustainable development in under-resourced communities. 

After an extensive career in banking, Nicole now lead a team that designs and implement programs to enhance financial wellness, outsourcing, technology stacks of financial institutions, and expand small business lending and capacity to the growing consumer population of Southern Africa, so that clients can better support economic mobility within their communities. 

She design, create & implement programs and oversee multi- million in program grants to advance economic mobility and community impact.

In this role, she continues to deliver impactful results while building and retaining stakeholder relationships. Discussions on access to capital, banking technology, and advancing social progress are her passion. She's always available to serve on panels or speak to business organisations. 

COMMISSIONER / HEAD OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION OF SIERRA LEONE   

Francis Ben Kaifala, is the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone. Before now, he was Senior/Managing Partner in the Firm Kaifala, Kanneh & Co., a private law firm in Freetown. He is a household name at the Sierra Leone Bar and had served as t

COMMISSIONER / HEAD OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION OF SIERRA LEONE   

Francis Ben Kaifala, is the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone. Before now, he was Senior/Managing Partner in the Firm Kaifala, Kanneh & Co., a private law firm in Freetown. He is a household name at the Sierra Leone Bar and had served as the Public Relations Officer and Spokesman of the Sierra Leone Bar Association in the year 2012-2013. He is currently also the President of the network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA).                                         

As Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone, his result-oriented leadership has favorably led that institution success in the fight against corruption with record improvement in all global and local indexes, surveys and reports. 

Francis is a product of the Sierra Leone Grammar School and Fourah Bay College - University of Sierra Leone, and the Sierra Leone Law School. He holds the interdisciplinary LL.M (Master of Laws) in Law and Economics jointly awarded by the School of Law and the School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary, University of London, in London, United Kingdom. He is also alumnus of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Program in the US and graduated with the LL.M (Master of Laws) in Comparative Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and International Human Rights at the University of Texas at Austin, in the United States of America. 

He was Human Rights Scholar at the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Centre for Human Rights and Justice in Austin, Texas where he engaged in enriching human rights work, experience, and training in that prestigious institution. He is currently a PhD in Law student via Distant Learning with the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.

Francis has won several Awards including US State Departments’ International Anti-Corruption Champion“, 50 Influential Young Global Leaders” by the Global Initiative for Good Leadership, “Obama Africa Leader 2019” by the Obama Foundation, “West Africa’s Young person of the Year 2019” by Confederation of West African Youths; “Sierra Leone’s Public Servant of the Year 2019” by the AWOL (National Achievement Awards); etc. 

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, DATA PULSE NIGERIA LIMITED

Dr. Adedoyin Talabi is an accomplished IT Project Manager and  Consultant with over three decades of experience leading high-impact  projects across banking, education, ICT development, and public sector  reform. He has proven track record in managing large-scale IT  infrastructure deploymen

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, DATA PULSE NIGERIA LIMITED

Dr. Adedoyin Talabi is an accomplished IT Project Manager and  Consultant with over three decades of experience leading high-impact  projects across banking, education, ICT development, and public sector  reform. He has proven track record in managing large-scale IT  infrastructure deployments, software implementation, digital  transformation, and policy-influencing initiatives.

Dr. Talabi is  recognized for driving innovation in the education sector through  ICT-based policy initiatives and the authorship of government-approved  computer studies textbooks with consistent multi-million-naira revenues.  Experienced in managing diverse technical teams of up to 200 staff,  designing MIS curricula for MBA students, and providing strategic  advisory services to senior executives.

Dr. Talabi’s expertise  spans ICT development monitoring, IT governance, change management, data  privacy, cybersecurity, and the integration of technology solutions to  achieve organizational goals. Dr. Talabi has published papers on  Information Technology, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity in international  journals and presented papers at different local and international  conferences.

Dr. Talabi was a professional examinations assessor  for Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and Institute of  Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) for many years. Dr Talabi  supervises final stage research projects for students undertaking the  Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN III)  certification examinations.

Dr. Talabi has authored twenty-nine  (29) computer studies textbooks, widely used across all levels of  education, from Nursery to Tertiary. The books are approved by  government and used nationwide. His latest publication, Data Protection and Cybersecurity Management: A Quick Reference Guide, is intended for practitioners and managers.

He  holds a BSc in Computer Science and Economics (Combined Honours) from  the Obafemi Awolowo University, an MBA in Banking and Finance from  Olabisi Onabanjo University, an MSc in Information Technology, and a PhD  in Cybersecurity from (ACETEL) National Open University of Nigeria  (NOUN). Additionally, he holds certifications as a Data Privacy  Solutions Engineer (CDPSE), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)  both from ISACA USA, Project Management Professional (PMP) from the  Project Management Institute (PMI USA), and is a member of the Computer  Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (MCPN).

Dr. Talabi  is a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (FITD),  the Institute of Information Management-Africa (FIIM), and the Nigeria  Computer Society (FNCS). He is blessed with children and grandchildren. 

LEAD CONSULTANT, GEM3A SOLUTIONS

Adebola A. Odeyemi is a seasoned business consultant, data and AI strategy facilitator, and chartered accountant with over a decade of experience driving digital transformation across finance, business, and public sector environments. 

She is the Lead Consultant at Gem3A Solutions and a key faculty member at

LEAD CONSULTANT, GEM3A SOLUTIONS

Adebola A. Odeyemi is a seasoned business consultant, data and AI strategy facilitator, and chartered accountant with over a decade of experience driving digital transformation across finance, business, and public sector environments. 

She is the Lead Consultant at Gem3A Solutions and a key faculty member at A.J. Silicon, where she supports professionals in combining financial expertise with data analytics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.

She has trained hundreds of finance and business professionals across Africa, delivering practical, real-world insights grounded in regulatory expectations and forward-looking

business strategy. Adebola is also a passionate mentor, the

founder of CARE Mentorship, and a recognised contributor to

professional development initiatives through platforms such as the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the MentHer Network.

REGISTRAR/CEO, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CREDIT ADMINISTRATION (NICA)

Professor Chris Onalo is a visionary leader, pioneer, founder, father, and driver of credit management profession, renowned for his transformative contributions and advocacy  for credit economy and financial inclusion. As the “Founder and Father  of Credit Management” in Nig

REGISTRAR/CEO, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CREDIT ADMINISTRATION (NICA)

Professor Chris Onalo is a visionary leader, pioneer, founder, father, and driver of credit management profession, renowned for his transformative contributions and advocacy  for credit economy and financial inclusion. As the “Founder and Father  of Credit Management” in Nigeria, Onalo has driven the country’s  transition towards a credit-based economy, promoting credit and  financial literacy, and responsible management of credit transactions  and compliance practices industry-wide.

Key Achievements:

• Founded the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), now the  National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) chartered, which  inspired Nigeria’s Federal Government’s decision to formally proclaim  Credit Management a national profession with its qualifications  nationally and globally recognized, thus professionalizing credit  management and an academic course of study in Nigeria

• Established the Postgraduate School of Credit and Financial  Management (PSCFM), offering professional advanced and postgraduate  studies in credit and financial management, accredited under NICA Act no  26 of 2022

• Founded Credit Business Services Global Ltd (CBS), which provides  independent Company Credit Report (CCR) to guide any management  decisions to do or not to do business with a company as part of due  diligence. This is totally and broadly different from the credit bureau  report.

• Developed expertise in credit guarantee scheme operations and  management, corporate credit policy drafting, and credit management  services provider’s accreditation

• Designed informal sector credit administration training & certification programmes, enhancing financial inclusion

• Created business owner self-creditworthiness assessment and  psychometric creditworthiness evaluation programmes, promoting  responsible borrowing, credit culture and people-centred national  economy.

International Influence:

• Served as International Director of the London Postgraduate Credit  Management College (LPCMC), promoting Nigerian credit management  expertise globally
• Contributed to global credit management curriculum development, enhancing international best practices
• Shared Nigerian credit management experiences, influencing credit administration in other countries.

Impact:

• Transformed Nigeria’s credit landscape, promoting transparency and responsible credit practices
• Contributed to financial inclusion, supporting entrepreneurship and economic growth
• Inspired a generation of credit professionals, shaping Nigeria’s credit economy
• Elevated Nigeria’s credit management profile globally, fostering international cooperation and knowledge sharing.

Professor Onalo’s profound expertise and  innovative approaches have cemented his legacy as a champion of  credit-based economy and financial inclusion, promoting credit and  financial literacy, and responsible management of credit transactions  and compliance practices industry-wide.

FOUNDER & CEO, OKHMA GLOBAL LIMITED

Through Okhma, an integrated enterprise platform designed to build and connect industries across Africa, Mary is developing ventures across media, finance, agriculture, real estate, and consumer systems—creating a unified structure for long-term economic growth.

Her work is driven by a clear thesis: Afri

FOUNDER & CEO, OKHMA GLOBAL LIMITED

Through Okhma, an integrated enterprise platform designed to build and connect industries across Africa, Mary is developing ventures across media, finance, agriculture, real estate, and consumer systems—creating a unified structure for long-term economic growth.

Her work is driven by a clear thesis: Africa does not lack opportunity—it lacks integration.

She has also contributed to productions, including TruCSR and the The SERAs Nigeria CSR Awards, with a focus on storytelling, production, and cultural impact.

Her long-term vision is to build one of Africa’s most influential enterprise ecosystems—shaping industries, unlocking opportunity, and positioning the continent as a global force. 

At the helm of Goldstarr Group, she focuses on marketing communications, which has carved out a niche in the industry for innovative and impactful  campaigns. The past 1.5+ years have been a testament to her commitment to  excellence in creative direction, leveraging new media to drive  transformation and profitability.

Leading Okhma for over 14 years, her mission to transform ideas into  profit has been realized through a blend of entrepreneurship and a  strategic approach to the film and media business. Her team’s success is  rooted in a shared vision to excel in integrated marketing and  advertising, always aiming to deliver compelling narratives for her clients.