Prof. Evans Osabuohien
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The Microfinance Agricultural Learning and Development Centre (MLDC) successfully hosted the 2026 Board and Executives Program (BEP 2026) Cohort III from May 20 to 22, 2026 at Lagos Intercontinental Hotel, bringing together directors, board members, regulators, and senior executives within the financial services ecosystem for intensive executive-level engagements on strategy, governance, and innovation.
Held under the theme, “Strategy, Innovation & Governance-Leading with Foresight, Oversight and Institutional Discipline,” the three-day programme addressed the growing need for institutional leadership capable of navigating economic uncertainty, regulatory pressures, digital transformation, and emerging technological risks within the microfinance sector.
The training was particularly strategic for the ongoing expansion and transformation agenda of Covenant Microfinance Bank Ltd (CMFB), especially in the areas of governance strengthening, digital oversight, and innovation-driven institutional growth. A notable contributor to this institutional vision is Prof Evans Osabuohien, who serves as a non-executive director of at CMFB since 2018. He currently chairs the Board ICT Committee and serves a member on other Board Committees of the Bank. His leadership continues to reflect the increasing importance of technology governance and strategic oversight in modern financial institutions.
The programme also aligned closely with the broader capacity-building mission of the DePECOS Institutions and Development Research Centre (DIaDeRC), where Prof. Evans Osabuohien serves as the Founding Chair. Through its programmes like African Scholars Mentorship Network (ASMN), coordinated by Prof. Osabuohien, DIaDeRC has trained and mentored over 2,500 participants across several African countries and beyond since 2023, advancing research, leadership development, and institutional capacity across the continent.
The highlights from the 3-day insightful training are surmised herein:
Day One: Strategy and Leadership Foresight
The opening day, 20th May 2026, focused on strategic leadership and the realities shaping the microfinance ecosystem. Sessions facilitated by Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, founder of Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) and reckoned as the grandfather of microfinance bank in Nigeria, examined macroeconomic trends, sector opportunities, leadership foresight, investment attraction, and institutional positioning.
The participants also engaged in boardroom simulations on growth-versus-stability decisions, scenario planning, and strategic dialogue sessions designed to strengthen institutional preparedness and board-level decision-making.
Day Two: Governance and Institutional Oversight
The second day, being on 21st May 2026, concentrated on fiduciary responsibilities, governance effectiveness, compliance systems, and board stewardship. Sessions facilitated by the Board Chair of Baobab Microfinance Bank, Rotimi Oyekanmi explored governance structures, oversight responsibilities, risk governance, and committee effectiveness.
The day also featured practical simulations on crisis escalation and cyber incidents, alongside panel engagements involving representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). Discussions addressed cybersecurity, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), compliance, data protection, and internal control frameworks.
Day Three: Innovation and AI-Driven Transformation
The final day focused on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and board-level innovation oversight. Sessions facilitated by Dr Olufemi Oyenuga examined AI governance, ethical technology adoption, automation, fintech partnerships, cloud oversight, cyber resilience, and technology-driven institutional competitiveness.
The day also featured practical simulations on crisis escalation and cyber incidents, alongside panel engagements involving representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). Discussions addressed cybersecurity, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), compliance, data protection, and internal control frameworks.
Day Three: Innovation and AI-Driven Transformation
The final day focused on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and board-level innovation oversight. Sessions facilitated by Dr Olufemi Oyenuga examined AI governance, ethical technology adoption, automation, fintech partnerships, cloud oversight, cyber resilience, and technology-driven institutional competitiveness.
Participants were encouraged to rethink digital transformation not merely as technology adoption, but as a strategic governance responsibility requiring long-term institutional foresight and disciplined oversight. The session ended with networking and presentation of certificates to the participants cum appreciation of the wonderful facilitators.
Concluding Remarks
The successful conclusion of BEP 2026 further reinforces the growing importance of leadership development, governance excellence, and innovation readiness in strengthening resilient financial institutions across Africa. BEP 2026 represents more than a professional development programme. It reflects a broader commitment toward strengthening institutional leadership, governance culture, innovation capacity, and digital readiness within Africa’s financial sector.
As institutions continue to navigate rapid transformation, programmes such as BEP 2026 provide directors and executives with the strategic insight, governance perspective, and technological understanding required to lead resilient and future-ready institutions.
