NICA Honours Polaris, Union Bank CEOs, Others with Fellowship Awards in Lagos
By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
The National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) has conferred its prestigious Fellowship on leading figures in Nigeria’s financial sector, including the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Mr. Kayode Lawal, at an investiture ceremony held at the Muson Centre.
Also honoured at the ceremony was the Managing Director/CEO of Union Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, in recognition of her contributions to institutional governance and the advancement of the financial sector.
Similarly, Mrs. Olushola Momoh, Vice Chairman of Channels Television, received the Professional Fellowship award in recognition of her leadership and impact within the media and corporate space.
In addition, the Founder of Xpress Payment Solutions Ltd, Dr. Awa Ibraheem, was presented with an Honorary Fellowship Award for his strategic contributions to Nigeria’s payments ecosystem and financial innovation landscape.
NICA noted that the Fellowship represents its highest professional distinction, reserved for individuals whose leadership has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s credit environment, institutional governance, and financial system integrity.
The ceremony attracted top financial sector executives, policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders, serving as a platform to celebrate excellence in credit administration and professional practice.
Speaking at the event, representatives of the Institute emphasised the critical role of visionary leadership in sustaining economic growth and fostering a responsible credit culture across the financial ecosystem.
A citation at the ceremony described Kayode Lawal as embodying “professional excellence, integrity, and strategic leadership,” highlighting his contributions to strengthening financial discipline and institutional governance.
The recognition further adds to Lawal’s growing list of honours within Nigeria’s financial services industry. He was previously conferred with the Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in November 2025 at the National Theatre Iganmu.
In his response, Lawal expressed appreciation to the Institute, describing the honour as a motivation to continue promoting responsible financial practices, institutional integrity, and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s banking and credit ecosystem.
Polaris Bank, in a statement, described the recognition as a significant milestone reflecting the institution’s commitment to professionalism, innovation, and ethical leadership.
The investiture ceremony featured formal proceedings, goodwill messages from industry leaders, and recognition of outstanding contributions across Nigeria’s credit management and financial services sector.
