Yemisi Izuora
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) is set to lead the region in enhancing capacity and bridging skills gaps in the banking industry in general and the Deposit Insurance Scheme (DIS) in particular.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NDIC, Umaru Ibrahim, gave the indication during the accreditation ceremony of the NDIC Academy, as a training service provider for its staff and the banking industry by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos.
Ibrahim said with the NDIC Academy’s new status, it is positioned to fulfil the corporation’s goal of serving as a centre of academic excellence for capacity building on the DIS for countries in sub-Sahara Africa.
He added that the Corporation prides itself for establishing high standards of professionalism and competency among its staff through the Academy and other human capital development initiatives, including the Chartered Banker/MBA programme of University of Bangor, Scotland, in partnership with the CIBN.
The NDIC chief noted the importance of continuous high level training to achieve the agency’s core mandates of deposit guarantee, bank supervision, bank distress resolution and bank liquidation.
The ultimate goal, he said, would be to enhance depositor protection and public confidence in the banking system.The President of CIBN, Prof. Segun Ajibola, commended the Corporation for its consistent efforts towards meeting high standards for the benefit of the banking industry and the larger economy.
Ajibola described the NDIC’s readiness to subject itself to the rigours of the accreditation process as a testimony of management’s commitment towards capacity development, aimed at equipping its workforce with critical skills to enhance their performance and productivity.
He however, said there would be periodic monitoring to ensure that standards were maintained, adding that the accreditation would last for three years, after which the corporation would require recertification.