FintechNGR Appoints Board of Trustees

Fintech Association of Nigeria was established in 2017 to foster an ecosystem that supports all stakeholders to achieve a thriving and growing Nigerian FinTech industry and to make Nigeria one of the world’s leading markets for FinTech Innovation and Investment. The Association continue to implement its three (3) year strategic plan (2019 – 2021) aimed at strengthening its capacity to be of great relevance to all its stakeholders. These involved among others restructuring of its Secretariat, appointing a Board of Trustees and establishing new and sustainable funding sources for the Association and the Fintech industry.

To achieve these objectives, the following eminent Nigerians have been appointed to the Board of Trustees:

• Dr Segun Aina OFR, currently President, Fintech Association of Nigeria, Africa Fintech Network and Chairman, Odua Investment Co Ltd.
• Dr. Tunde Lemo OFR– Chairman, Flutterwave Ltd, Lambert Capital Ltd and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
• Mr. Kyari Bukar – Chairman, SUNU Assurances Nigeria Plc and former Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group.
• Ms. Mary Uduk – Ag. Director-General, Securities & Exchange Commission SEC.
• Ms. Funke Opeke – Managing Director/CEO, Main One Cable Co,
• Mr. John Obaro – Managing Director/CEO, SystemSpecs Remita Limited and currently a member of Governing Council of Fintech Association of Nigeria.
• Mrs. Bola Adesola – Snr. Vice-Chairman, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank and co Vice-Chair, United Nations Global Compact

The Board of Trustees will provide necessary oversight, guidance and support and work with the Governing Council towards the attainment of the objectives of the Association.

According to the President of the Association, Dr Segun Aina “FintechNGR which I have been privileged to promote and nurture with others has in its 3 years of existence made tremendous impact and contributions to Nigeria and Africa fintech ecosystem and the national economies focusing on its three main objectives to Accelerate, Advocate and Connect. The addition of these eminent and accomplished personalities and industry leaders will no doubt propel the growth and increased relevance of the Association. With this development, John Obaro and I will be leaving the Governing Council as Member and President of the Association respectively at the next Annual General Meeting coming up later in the year as we will not be presenting ourselves for reelection to the Governing Council”.

Funke Opeke remarked that ” I am honoured to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fintech Association of Nigeria and look forward to the opportunity to add value to the organization along with other distinguished professionals of high repute”. Bukar Kyari also commented that ” I am pleased to accept my nomination to the Board of Trustees of the Association and I am looking forward to being able to contribute to the growth of fintech in the country” Another prominent member Mr Tunde Lemo remarked that “I will bring to bear my knowledge, expertise and experience in the discharge of my duties and look forward to working with other members of the Board towards the growth and development of our Association”.

FintechNGR is a professional, self-regulatory, not-for-profit and non-political organization, the Founding member of Africa Fintech Network with partnerships across all continents. The Association Connects key Fintech stakeholders across the globe, Accelerate continuous growth of the Fintech Industry and Advocates on key elements of fintech through its diverse membership base that cuts across thirteen sectors of the economy. The Association currently has 130 (one hundred and thirty) corporate members including several incumbent and startup fintech companies, 15 (fifteen) Deposit Money Banks, three leading Microfinance Banks, tech-focused private equity firms, other professional bodies, Universities and Associations, the major law firms and media houses such as ChannelsTV. It aims to be the rallying point and umbrella organization for all disruptive technology-driven organizations or individuals in Fintech, Regtech, Tradetech, Insurtech including fintech products for Agritech, Edtech, HealthTech, etc.

The Association podcasts bi-monthly webinars that speak to various issues that affect the Fintech ecosystem, organizes quarterly Social Meets, jointly organize the Nigeria Fintech Week, among others.

Some collaborative Activities of Fintech Association of Nigeria in recent times include:

• Central Bank of Nigeria – involved in FSS2020 strategic process on Fintech Regulation/Bills as well as the PSV2030 document.
• National Insurance Commission – engagements towards insurance inclusion with technology
• National Assembly – Proposal of Fintech Regulation Bills amongst others
• Capital Market Committee – Proposed, secured approval and chairing the committee on Fintech Adoption in the Capital Market
• Securities & Exchange Commission – empowerment of staff with Fintech knowledge – Fintech Learning Series
• Nigerian Stock Exchange – engagement on exposing budding Fintechs/SMEs to funding opportunities, corporate governance and best practice, potential listing on the Exchange.
• Judiciary – Fintech Learning Series with the Judges of Federal High Court & Justices of Federal Court of Appeal in collaboration with NDIC.