DBN Awarded Financial Inclusion Leadership Award by CBN
By Patience Ikpeme
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has honored the Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN) with the prestigious Financial Inclusion Leadership Award at the recent “Champions of Inclusion Nigeria Financial Inclusion Awards.”
The award ceremony took place during the International Financial Inclusion Conference (IFIC) 2024, a collaborative effort by the CBN, the World Bank, and various stakeholders dedicated to promoting financial inclusivity in the nation.
Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director and CEO of DBN, expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing it as a significant endorsement of the bank’s strategic commitment to enhancing access to financial services across Nigeria.
“We are honoured to receive the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award, which is a testament to our commitment to expanding access to financial services for all Nigerians,” he stated. “This award recognizes our efforts to bridge the financial inclusion gap, particularly for a priority sector like the MSMEs.”
In his remarks, Dr. Okpanachi reaffirmed the bank’s determination to continue innovating and enhancing its financial inclusion programs. “We will ensure that more Nigerian small and startup businesses have access to crucial financial services,” he added.
Receiving the award on behalf of the bank, Chief Operating Officer Mr. Bonaventure Okhaimo noted its significance as a milestone in DBN’s mission to stimulate economic growth through inclusive finance. “This award acknowledges our innovative approach to widening opportunities for MSMEs in Nigeria to grow and scale their businesses,” he remarked. “It will motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of financial inclusion, exploring more innovative solutions and partnerships to expand our reach and impact.”
The Financial Inclusion Leadership Award, a hallmark of the IFIC, recognizes organizations and individuals who contribute significantly to advancing the goals of Nigeria’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy 3.0.
The awards honor outstanding efforts that enhance access to financial services, particularly for low-income and excluded segments of the populace, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
As inadequate funding remains a critical challenge for small businesses in Nigeria, the role of DBN in addressing these financial access gaps has been widely commended, positioning the bank as a key player in advancing broader economic growth and financial inclusion in the country.
