Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside top policymakers and industry leaders, has urged Africa to embrace homegrown strategies for managing global risks.
Shettima Calls for Stronger Continental Collaboration
Speaking at the 24th CRMI International Conference in Lagos, Shettima, represented by Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, called on the African Union (AU), African Development Bank (AfDB), and Afreximbank to support the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI).
He emphasized that Africa must tackle threats such as climate change, cybersecurity, terrorism, pandemics, and disruptive technologies through stronger collaboration.
“For over two decades, the Institute has been a beacon of foresight, resilience, and preparedness,” Shettima stated. “Risk management is not just a profession, it is a discipline of national importance. The creation of the Federation of African Risk Management Association marks a historic milestone, enabling Africa to address risks on its own terms.”
The Vice President also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to resilience through initiatives like #SheIsIncluded, launched in January 2025, to empower Nigerian women in economic participation. He further stressed the importance of early warning systems, microinsurance for farmers, and social protection as key drivers of national prosperity.
CRMI Pushes for Risk Management Policy
Conference host and President of CRMI’s Governing Council, Kelvin Ugwuoke, highlighted the theme, “Global Risks, Local Solutions.”
He warned that climate change, cyber threats, Artificial Intelligence, and geopolitical conflicts such as the Russia–Ukraine war threaten food security and economic stability.
“Our mandate is clear: to craft homegrown solutions that will help Nigeria and Africa prosper despite global uncertainties,” Ugwuoke said.
Ugwuoke, also Executive Director of Risk Management at Fidelity Bank Plc, revealed that a bill before the National Assembly seeks to embed risk management into national policy. This, he noted, would integrate risk principles into both government and private sector decision-making.
Cardoso and Edun Commend CRMI’s Leadership
CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, represented by Dr. Blaise Ijebor, commended CRMI’s role in strengthening risk awareness across Nigeria’s financial system.
“Global risks do not respect borders. Our reforms aim to integrate risk awareness into financial planning, ensuring economic stability amid uncertainties,” he said.
Similarly, Finance Minister Wale Edun, represented by Permanent Secretary Raymond Omachi, stressed the importance of policy reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification.
“Risk management is not about predicting the future, but preparing for it. The storms may come, but the solutions we design together will define our future,” he noted.
CRMI Reinforces Nigeria’s Leadership in Risk Management
The 24th International CRMI Conference gathered policymakers, experts, and business leaders to deliberate on localized solutions for global risks. The event reinforced Nigeria’s leadership in advancing risk management as a tool for economic stability, resilience, and sustainable development.
About CRMI
The Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), founded on March 29, 2000, and established by Act No. 39 of 2022, is Nigeria’s national professional body for risk management.
Through its flagship Chartered Risk Manager (CRM) certification, continuous education, and advocacy, CRMI sets national standards for excellence and supports professionals dedicated to advancing risk management across industries.
