By Henry Uche
Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, alongside the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other eminent Nigerians would lead a discourse at the inaugural National Credit Managers Conference and Investiture, for economic growth and development of Nigeria, put together by National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA).
Slated for 22nd and 23rd of October, 2024 at the CIBN Auditorium in Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme: “Credit Grows Green Economy,” the cross-fertilization of ideas at different sessions would see the gathering of captains of industries, corporate leaders, and boardroom gurus to brainstorm on how to move the country forward using the effective and efficient credit management mechanism.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the Registrar/Chief Executive of the Institute, Prof. Chris Onalo, told journalists that NICA is working with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to develop curricular for the commencement of Credit Administration and Management as a core discipline in institutions of higher learning in Nigeria.
Onalo said an efficient credit system anywhere in the world is sine qua non for green economy, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind, hence the need to explore and proclaim credit management to Nigerians as a means to meet economic and social aspirations.
“The nation’s professional credit managers, credit industry stakeholders, economic policy makers and capacity building academic scholars will be converging to rub minds on how Nigeria can move from her age long ‘cash and carry economic system’ to a brand new model – Credit.
“Other eminent personalities to participate in the conference are: Chris J. Maiyaki, Acting Secretary of the NUC; Mazi Afam J. Osigwe, SAN, President of the NBA, and the entire Fellows, Members, Associates of the national body for the people and organizations in credit management.”
Onalo affirmed that the confab was designed to support the effort of the Tinubu administration to increase industrial output of the country by domesticating the use of credit to build a resilient and people-centred economy.
“We want to discuss how effective credit management can drive sustainable economic growth, especially in alignment with global trends toward a greener economy and in alignment with the current administration’s economic direction.”
Emphasising on consumer credit culture, the Onalo posited that industrialisation, financial inclusion, and robust economic reforms that foster long-term growth and sustainability are a function of sound credit economy.