The Group Managing Director/Chief Govt Officer of United Financial institution for Africa (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba, has joined the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and different prime stakeholders in calling for stronger collaboration between Nigeria’s monetary and judicial sectors to drive sustainable financial progress.
The decision was made on the twenty third Nationwide Seminar on Banking and Allied Issues for Judges, which commenced on Tuesday on the Nationwide Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.
The 2-day seminar, themed “Justice and Finance in Partnership: Enabling Belief, Safety and Nigeria’s Financial Progress and Growth,” was collectively organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the NJI. It attracted main judges, monetary regulators, financial institution executives, authorized students, and legislation enforcement officers to deliberate on points affecting Nigeria’s monetary and authorized ecosystems.
Alawuba, who additionally serves as Chairman of the Physique of Financial institution CEOs, underscored the judiciary’s central position in financial transformation. He acknowledged {that a} dependable and educated judicial system is significant for resolving monetary disputes involving cybercrime, fraud, and contract enforcement, which immediately impression the effectivity of the monetary sector.
“No economic system can thrive with out the guiding framework of justice. The banking trade depends day by day on the predictability, impartiality, and effectivity of our courts—from imposing contracts to managing credit score techniques,” Alawuba famous.
He raised considerations in regards to the rising burden of non-performing loans, which have now surpassed ₦1.57 trillion, citing judicial delays as a significant component. He urged for pressing reforms together with digitization of courtroom processes, enhanced capability constructing, and the institution of specialized monetary courts to enhance outcomes. “Our collaboration is a necessity, not a luxurious. With no robust judiciary, credit score growth and investor confidence will stay restricted,” he added.
In her keynote tackle, Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted the judiciary’s position in fostering financial confidence and authorized stability. “Judicial predictability is just not merely a authorized advantage—it’s a essential financial asset. It improves market effectivity, reduces threat premiums, and attracts capital for infrastructure and enterprise growth,” she stated.
She additionally known as for steady judicial schooling to maintain tempo with developments in digital finance, cybercrime, and fintech. “Courts have to be outfitted to interpret complicated monetary transactions and assess revolutionary devices inside current authorized frameworks,” she pressured.
Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President and Chairman of Council, CIBN, strengthened the seminar’s core message. “Belief is the lifeblood of banking; safety is its basis. Each deposit, mortgage, and monetary settlement hinges on the understanding that rights will probably be protected and justice will prevail,” he stated. He emphasised the judiciary’s indispensable position in upholding the integrity of the monetary system.
In his welcome remarks, the NJI Administrator, Justice Salisu Abdullahi, echoed the identical sentiment, stating {that a} competent and unbiased judiciary not solely resolves disputes but in addition serves as a pillar of financial progress. “A trusted judiciary creates an surroundings the place capital can safely circulation, innovation can flourish, and companies are empowered to develop,” he stated.
Discussions on the seminar additionally touched on the significance of harmonising authorized frameworks, bettering the velocity of adjudication, and strengthening different dispute decision techniques to reinforce investor confidence and enhance financial outcomes.
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