Zenith Bank,CFA Institute team up to strengthen financial markets

Joy Agwunobi

Zenith Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CFA Institute, a global association of investment professionals. The MoU aims to collaborate on initiatives and activities that support the training, development, and updating of human capital in finance and investment, with the goal of contributing to the overall growth of the Nigerian financial services sector.

The MoU was signed recently in Lagos by a number of senior executives, including Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the group managing director and CEO of Zenith Bank Plc; Margaret Franklin, the president and CEO of the CFA Institute, and Ibukun Oyedeji, the president of CFA Society Nigeria.

Speaking at the event,, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, commended the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Nigeria for their work in developing finance and investment professionals in the country. He noted that the partnership between the two organizations is crucial in advancing the skills and expertise of finance professionals in the country.

Onyeagwu went on to commend the CFA Institute’s Women in Investment Management Initiative, CFA Institute Research Challenge, CFA Society Nigeria Ethics Challenge, and University Affiliation Programme. He noted that Zenith Bank will continue to support these initiatives and others in order to ensure that young finance professionals have the resources and support they need to develop their careers.

“As a good corporate citizen, Zenith Bank remains committed to furthering the economic, cultural and social development of the society. As such, we continue to support projects and initiatives that have long-term social and economic benefits for our various publics and stakeholders. Partnering with the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Nigeria is therefore a demonstration of our commitment to building professional excellence in the finance services industry in Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking at the CFA Institute Africa Investment Conference, Onyeagwu gave a keynote address during the ‘Journey to the Top: A Discourse with CEOs’ session. During the session, he shared insights and guidance for aspiring finance and investment professionals, stressing the importance of maintaining the highest levels of integrity, making difficult yet high-quality decisions, building robust networks, and committing to hard work in order to achieve career success.

In his words, “As upcoming professionals, the opportunities are immense for you. Africa doesn’t get bigger than Nigeria. There is scarcity of the right kind of people that have the talent, that have the character and the leadership to provide leadership in organisations.

Make a decision to be one of those, make a decision to be different. You must be driven by your passion; you must delay gratification. In Zenith what is driving us is the strive for excellence. It is not about who you are and where you come from. We have the best class of talents you can think of anywhere in the world.”

Onyeagwu also  assured young finance and investment professionals that Zenith Bank would offer immediate employment opportunities to those who have earned their CFA Charter or qualified as Chartered Accountants.

Margaret Franklin, the president and CEO of the CFA Institute, reiterated the Institute’s commitment to supporting the professional development of students and new professionals in the finance and investment industry. She highlighted the Institute’s various initiatives, including the CFA Candidate Support Programme, which offers support to candidates as they prepare for the CFA exams. She also mentioned the Institute’s Career Centre, which provides resources and tools to help finance professionals advance their careers.

“There are many things that we do for students, we invest heavily in students and why is that? Because they are our future. The mission of the CFA Institute is to lead the investment industry with the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society and that starts with our CFA programme,” she stated.

Franklin further commended Zenith Bank for its continued support to the CFA Society Nigeria, noting the bank’s immense contribution in CFA research challenge and also for being the top employers of CFA members in the country.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Ibukun Oyedeji, President of CFA Society Nigeria, commended Zenith Bank for its partnership with the Society and for its dedication to the professional development of young finance professionals in the country. He emphasized the Society’s belief that the partnership will be beneficial for both organizations and will contribute to the growth of the finance and investment industry in Nigeria.