NGX Chairman champions AI as catalyst for transformation in financial services at Supernews Conference
L-r: Thaibat Adeniran, former Managing Director, Hilal Takaful Insurance Ltd; Mr Johnson Chukwuma, keynote speaker/founder & Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Ltd; Alhaji (Dr). Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of occasion/Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group; Ngozi Onyakusi, convener & Publisher/CEO, SUPERNEES Nigeria; Ayokunle Olubunmi, Head, Financial Institutions Ratings, Augusto & Co; Adeola Adewumi-Zer, founder/CEO, ZER Consulting Africa, and Uju Ogubunka, National President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, during the AI Artificial Intelligence '25 conference organised by SuperNews on the theme: Power of AI: enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction for better financial services experience, in Lagos, on Thursday.
Nike Popoola
The Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, has called for accelerated adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria’s financial services sector to boost operational efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, and position the nation at the forefront of global financial innovation.
Speaking at the Supernews 2025 Artificial Intelligence Conference that held in Lagos on Thursday, Dr. Kwairanga emphasized the game-changing potential of AI, likening it to historic breakthroughs such as the steam engine and the Internet.
He commended Supernews for spotlighting AI as the central theme of this year’s conference, aptly titled “Power of AI: Enhancing Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction for Better Financial Services Experience.”
“The services sector is the engine of Nigeria’s economy, and the financial services sub-sector stands as its most vibrant component,” Dr. Kwairanga noted. “While commendable progress has been made, there remains vast room for improvement—improvements that artificial intelligence can deliver.”
He highlighted AI’s potential to not only streamline operations but also address Nigeria-specific challenges such as unreliable power supply, limited data infrastructure, and funding constraints.
According to him, leveraging AI could unlock new efficiencies and elevate the customer experience across banking, insurance, pensions, and other financial services.
The event was attended by high-level stakeholders from across the industry, with an interactive panel comprising operators, consultants, and consumers, who shared practical insights on AI deployment in the sector.
Dr. Kwairanga urged the audience to take active roles in shaping a future-ready Nigerian financial ecosystem powered by intelligent technology.
