Key players from across Nigeria’s financial services and technology landscape gathered at the recently concluded Business Day Fintech Summit 2026, held under the theme “The Next Financial Frontier: Intelligence, Infrastructure & Inclusion in Africa’s Digital Money Economy”. The summit served as a strategy for examining how innovation, data, and emerging technologies are reshaping the continent’s financial ecosystem.

Bringing together fintech leaders, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners, the conversations focused on advancing digital infrastructure, unlocking new opportunities through artificial intelligence, and driving broader financial inclusion across Africa’s evolving digital economy.

Speaking during a panel session titled “Intelligent Finance: How AI, Data and Automation are Rewriting Financial Services,” Blessing Ehize, Chief Technology Officer, FCMB, highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in driving efficiency, personalisation, and smarter decision-making in banking.

“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept; it is actively redefining how financial institutions operate. From improving risk assessment and fraud detection to enabling hyper-personalised customer experience, AI allows us to anticipate customer needs and respond in real time. The real value lies in how effectively we harness data to deliver smarter, faster, and more inclusive financial services.”

He also reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to responsible innovation:

“At FCMB, our approach to AI adoption is deliberate and responsible. We are integrating AI in ways that enhance efficiency without compromising trust, customer privacy, or regulatory compliance. This is why FCMB is ISO42001 certified. Technology must work for the customer, not against them, and must always align with ethical standards and human oversight.”

Speaking further, he emphasised FCMB’s alignment with global best practices:

“The intersection between what we do at FCMB, and global financial best practices lies in our ability to balance innovation with resilience. Globally, AI is taking centre stage, whether you are a bank or not. It is coming to enable businesses and change lifestyles. We are building systems that are not only intelligent but also secure, scalable, and inclusive, ensuring that as we advance technologically, we bring more people into the financial ecosystem.”

As digital transformation accelerates across Africa, FCMB continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies and data-driven insights to enhance service delivery and expand access to financial services in an ethical and responsible manner.

•PHOTO, From Left: Director General, Africa eGovernance Conference, Dr. Adeyinka Adeyemi; Chief Technology Officer, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Blessing Ehize and President, Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria, Mr. Mela Claude-Ake and Divisional Head, Payments and Merchant Solutions, FCMB, Oladapo Alabede, at the BusinessDay Fintech Summit held in Lagos on April 22, 2026.

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