By Philomina Attah
President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Mr Kevin Ugwuoke, says risk management has moved from back-office function to boardroom priority in 25 years.
Ugwuoke said this in a statement by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CRMI, Dr Victor Olannye, on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, twenty-five years ago, risk management in Nigeria was a back-office function that few boards discussed. Today it sits in the boardroom.
“The question is no longer whether an organisation manages risk, but whether it can turn that capability into an advantage.
“That is what we mean by the resilience edge,” Ugwuoke said.
He said that CRMI was poised to mark its 25th anniversary with a two-day international conference in Lagos to discuss how organisations can turn risk management into competitive advantage.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 25th Annual International Conference and Silver Jubilee Celebration will hold on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 at the in Lagos.
Ugwuoke said the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, would be the Special Guest of Honour, while the Managing Director of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Dr Armstrong Ume Takang, would deliver the keynote address.
He said that the event would bring together policymakers, chief executives, chief risk officers, academics and development partners from across Africa and beyond.
According to him, the conference comes at a critical moment as Nigerian firms navigate economic reforms, technological change, evolving regulation, climate stress and rising cyber threats.
He said plenary addresses, panel sessions and technical workshops would examine how boards and management can anticipate disruption, adapt strategy and recover with competitive advantage.
“A major highlight will be the maiden University Risk Management Challenge, where student teams from Nigerian universities will tackle real-world risk scenarios.
“The teams will present solutions to a panel of senior practitioners for financial grants, academic recognition and professional development resources.
“The profession’s next twenty-five years will be built by people who are undergraduates today,” he said,
He stressed the need to engage emerging talent before the job market did.
He said that the conference would close with a 25th Anniversary Award and Dinner Night to recognise individuals and organisations advancing risk management practice in Nigeria.
“The awards aim to highlight best practice and set benchmarks for corporate resilience, regulatory compliance and national security preparedness.
“Representatives of risk management bodies across Africa and international development partners are expected to attend,” hee said.(NAN)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
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