As Nigeria races deeper into the digital era, a once small gathering of finance correspondents has transformed into a national platform shaping the country’s economic direction. This year marks the 35th edition of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Conference, and the weight behind it is unmistakable.
Set for September 20, 2025, at Orchid Hotels, Lekki, the conference will explore the theme:
“Bracing for the Digital Economy in Nigeria: Taxation, Banking and Finance.”
Heavyweights Lend Their Voice
The list of backers reads like a who’s who of Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. From regulators like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to banking giants such as UBA, Zenith, FCMB, Stanbic IBTC, and Unity Bank, the message is clear: digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s central to survival.
For FICAN, this endorsement affirms its evolution from a professional journalists’ body to a convener of national conversations on policy, innovation, and inclusion.
What’s on the Table?
The conference will open with insights from Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, who will tackle the hot-button issue of digitizing tax systems to expand Nigeria’s revenue base.
Banking leaders will also weigh in: UBA’s Group MD, Dr. Oliver Alawuba, and Moniepoint MFB’s MD, Babatunde Olofin, will unpack how technology is rewriting the rules of financial inclusion and banking operations.
The centerpiece is a high-powered panel featuring voices from NIBSS, NDIC, PalmPay, Dangote Group, Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Business School, and even the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Association (NAIA)—an indicator of how far the financial conversation now stretches beyond traditional banking.
Why It Matters
Beyond speeches and panels, the gathering has a deeper mission: strengthening the role of financial journalism. According to FICAN president Chima Titus Nwokoji, over 150 journalists from across print, broadcast, and digital platforms will benefit from capacity-building sessions.
“As Nigeria navigates the complexities of a digital economy, this platform will provide critical ideas and solutions that can guide stakeholders in taxation, banking, and finance,” the association noted.
A Milestone Moment
Marking its 35th anniversary, FICAN has become more than an industry body—it has grown into a bridge between policymakers, financial institutions, innovators, and the media. In a period of sweeping reforms in tax policy, payments, and regulation, this year’s edition is set against a backdrop of urgency and opportunity.
The Bigger Picture
As Nigeria’s digital economy expands, conversations at the FICAN Conference could influence how the nation balances innovation with regulation, inclusion with efficiency, and growth with accountability.
In many ways, the event is less about a single day in Lekki—and more about charting the country’s digital transformation roadmap for the years to come.
