csrreporters 
Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria is once again setting the pace in financial thought leadership as it hosts the 2025 edition of its flagship Finance Master Class (FMC) a premier learning and knowledge-sharing event that gathers finance professionals from across the bank’s West Africa cluster.
Now a cornerstone in the bank’s annual learning calendar, the FMC brings together finance experts from all departments to exchange insights, explore emerging trends, and discuss innovations reshaping both global and regional finance. According to a statement on Monday, the platform has become a benchmark for professional excellence, combining continuous education, collaboration, and forward-thinking discussions.
Fully accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the FMC meets the Institute’s Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) requirements. The ongoing partnership between Standard Chartered and ICAN stands as a model for professional collaboration, fostering high-quality knowledge exchange and elevating the finance profession in Nigeria.
Anchored by the bank’s finance division and powered by volunteers across its operations, the FMC continues to grow in reach and relevance. Its global recognition came in 2022 when it received the Standard Chartered CEO’s Award for the 2021 edition themed “Are You Future Ready?”
Speaking about the initiative, Dayo Omolokun, Executive Director of Standard Chartered Nigeria and Cluster Chief Financial Officer for West Africa, described the FMC as the bank’s signature platform for equipping finance professionals with the tools to navigate a rapidly changing world.
“The FMC is our flagship learning platform for over 150 finance professionals across six West African countries,” Omolokun said. “It connects experts and practitioners to explore key developments from geopolitical shifts and tech driven innovations to new accounting standards and the evolving future of work. The FMC empowers professionals to see how global and local trends intersect in shaping finance.”
The 2025 edition, themed “Beyond Imagination,” will hold from October 21–22, 2025, in a hybrid format, engaging participants both physically and virtually across the region. Omolokun explained that this year’s theme reflects the transformational impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Open Banking on Nigeria’s financial services landscape.
“AI is revolutionizing decision making, personalization, fraud detection, and automation all of which enhance customer confidence in digital finance,” he noted. “With Open Banking set to roll out in 2026, data silos will disappear, customers will have more control over their financial data, and collaboration between banks and fintechs will thrive. Together, AI and Open Banking will reshape the financial ecosystem beyond imagination.”
The impressive speaker lineup underscores FMC’s reputation for depth and diversity. Confirmed speakers include Adedeji Olowe (Founder/CEO, Lendsqr), Joel Omeike (Founder/CEO, P4PE), Lanre Basamta (Co-founder/CEO, Optimus AI Labs), Chijioke Odo, FCA (Partner & West Africa Global Trade Lead, Deloitte), and Ade Shokoya (GenAI Trainer, Strategy Consultant, and Agile Transformation Expert). Representatives from Standard Chartered will also lead key sessions, including Chemutai Murgor (CFO, Kenya and Africa), Dalu Ajene (CEO, Standard Chartered Nigeria), and Dayo Omolokun himself.
Over the years, the FMC has featured distinguished leaders and economic thinkers such as Temi Popoola, Dr. Doyin Salami, Dr. Bismarck Rewane, Dr. Sola Adeduntan, Oreoluwa Boboye, Bisi Lamikanra, and Dr. Temitope Oshikoya, solidifying its reputation as a platform that shapes the future of finance in Africa.
With its consistent focus on innovation, professional development, and collaboration, the Standard Chartered Finance Master Class continues to redefine finance education in West Africa equipping professionals with future ready skills and reaffirming the bank’s commitment to driving transformation across the continent’s financial ecosystem.
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