Mr. Kevin Ugwuoke, Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, has taken over as the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI). At the presidential handover ceremony held in Lagos on Saturday, Ugwuoke announced a reform-driven agenda focused on policy advocacy, ethical standards, and digital innovation to deepen risk governance across sectors in Nigeria.
Ugwuoke, who is also the Acting President of the Federation of African Risk Management Associations, described his emergence as “a call to action,” pledging to reposition CRMI as a thought leader and institutional partner in Nigeria’s national development discourse. He outlined a five-pronged strategy anchored on strengthening professional certification and education, deepening regulatory engagement, accelerating digital transformation, integrating ESG and climate risk into corporate strategy, and promoting youth engagement in the risk management profession.
The new president emphasized that CRMI’s mission goes beyond certification, aiming to build national consciousness around risk governance. “We will engage policymakers, raise awareness, and provide practical tools to help organisations institutionalise risk intelligence at all levels,” he said. Ugwuoke also announced plans to work closely with key policy institutions, such as the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, National Assembly, and sub-national governments, to ensure structured risk frameworks are embedded in economic development plans.
On professional standards, Ugwuoke revealed plans to revise the institute’s curriculum, introduce new certifications tailored to emerging risk trends, and upgrade its learning management systems. He also emphasized the importance of digital innovation, stating that CRMI would work to automate its backend systems fully, deliver more virtual training, and use technology to scale impact across Nigeria and beyond. A national risk observatory is also on the cards, aimed at delivering real-time risk intelligence to the public and private sectors.
The immediate past president of CRMI, Professor Ezekiel Oseni, reflected on key achievements during his tenure, including the Institute’s charter status, expanded partnerships, and increased international recognition. He urged continued leadership and growth under the new administration, saying, “I therefore humbly charge the next leadership to build on the accomplishments of the last four years and do more for the Institute.”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, the Deputy Managing Director, UBA, Chukwuma Nweke, congratulated Ugwuoke on his assumption of office. Nweke described Ugwuoke as a worthy successor, saying, “As Professor Oseni hands over the baton to Mr. Kevin Ugwuoke, a highly respected figure in the risk management ecosystem, we are confident that CRMI is poised for even greater relevance.”
Alawuba emphasized that risk management must no longer be viewed as a compliance obligation or a cost centre but as a strategic enabler of resilience and growth. “Organisations that embed risk intelligence into their strategies will be better positioned to absorb shocks, unlock value, and inspire investor confidence,” he averred.
As part of the day’s proceedings, the Institute conferred its Fellow designation on 11 professionals and formally inducted 21 new Chartered Risk Managers into its ranks. A new Governing Council was also constituted to steer the affairs of CRMI for the 2025-2027 term, marking a deliberate step towards institutional continuity and strategic renewal.
With Ugwuoke’s assumption of office, CRMI is poised for a new era of leadership and growth. The Institute’s reform-driven agenda and commitment to building national consciousness around risk governance will likely have a significant impact on the risk management profession in Nigeria. As the Institute continues to evolve, it is expected to play a crucial role in promoting best practices and advocacy in risk management and related disciplines in Nigeria.
