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In this interview in the Eminent Business Personality Series (EBPS) of Financial Nigeria magazine, Chizor Malize, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FITC, speaks on the organisation’s 43-year heritage and legacy in delivering innovative knowledge solutions and capacity building programmes in the Nigerian financial services sector and across Africa and the world. She provides compelling insights on the transformation of FITC over the last five years, embracing technology and digital transformation, sustainability and ESG, the FITC brand driver, and her industry and institutional outlook, amongst others.

Dr. Malize is an award-winning visionary leader and transformation expert. She has experience in marketing, financial inclusion, sustainability & ESG, and Board leadership. Her multi-sector experience includes payments, banking, energy, and consulting, spanning eight African countries and the United Kingdom. The prolific and respected international speaker was interviewed by Jide Akintunde, Managing Editor, Financial Nigeria publications, and Director of Nigeria Development and Finance Forum.

Jide Akintunde (JA): What has shaped FITC as a strong heritage institution of repute?

Chizor Malize (CM): FITC’s strong heritage as a legacy institution is deeply rooted in its founding in 1981 as a forward-thinking organisation, established to drive knowledge innovation, capacity building, and excellence in the Nigerian financial services sector. Over the past four decades, FITC has remained a trusted partner to stakeholders in the sector, serving as a hub for knowledge and driving growth and transformation within the industry through innovative knowledge learning and advisory solutions.

Our unique institutional ownership by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and the Bankers’ Committee underscores the trust and confidence placed in FITC to serve as a catalyst for the industry’s development. This ownership structure has not only solidified our credibility but has also positioned us to respond proactively to the evolving needs of the financial services ecosystem, delivering solutions that align with the industry’s goals and priorities.

Today, we continue to build on this strong foundation and remain committed to shaping the future of the financial services sector in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.

JA: FITC has undergone significant transformation during your tenure in the last five years as CEO. Can you share the strategic vision behind this evolution and the key initiatives that have driven the organisation's growth during this period?

CM: The past five years at FITC have been a remarkable journey of transformation, guided by our bold strategic vision to lead with innovation, shape the future of learning, and drive impactful change across Africa and beyond. In an era defined by digitalisation and technology, we recognised the need to not only adapt but to lead.

At the heart of this evolution is our commitment to digital innovation. Leveraging technology, we recreated all our learning offerings aligned to global best practices in terms of content, faculty, subject-matter experts, and learning platforms and experiences. With the launch of FITC Learning Management System (LMS), we revolutionised our knowledge content curation and delivery, enabling professionals to access cutting-edge learning, anytime and anywhere. Complementing this is our innovative talent solution offering – the FITC Future of Work Academy (FOWA), which equips professionals with the skills and resilience required to excel in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven landscape, addressing critical areas like AI, automation, and remote work while meeting the widening technology talent needs of the financial service sector.

Amidst this is the highly successful overhaul of our corporate identity through a full rebranding exercise and the re-launch of the new brand in 2021, positioning FITC as a world class technology-driven and innovation-led knowledge institution.

FITC’s transformation is anchored in a relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and thought leadership. Today, we stand as a global leader in knowledge empowerment, driving growth, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of the financial services sector across Africa and the world.



JA: In an era of rapid digitalisation, how has FITC leveraged technology and innovation tools to drive quality, collaboration, and efficiency internally?

CM: At FITC, we have embraced digital transformation to optimise our internal operations and drive efficiency, leveraging systems and tools such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Microsoft Office 365. These platforms and tools have streamlined our processes, enhanced team collaboration, and improved service delivery across the organisation.

Our ERP systems have transformed the management of our finance, procurement processes, talents, and project workflows, providing real-time insights and ensuring seamless coordination. Our CRM tools have centralised client data and automated key processes, enhancing relationship management and enabling a more responsive approach to stakeholder needs.

By integrating these technologies, we have improved our workflow efficiency, fostered innovation, and built a foundation for operational excellence, ensuring we deliver superior value to stakeholders in a dynamic digital environment.

JA: The recent launch of the FITC Sustainability and ESG Institute is an innovative addition to the FITC offerings. How would this impact the financial services sector in the coming years?

CM: As the world increasingly prioritises sustainability and responsible governance, the FITC Sustainability and ESG Institute is designed to empower institutions and professionals with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks to lead this shift effectively. The institute serves as a hub for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) thought leadership and research and knowledge innovation. It is shaping the financial sector in several ways through our capacity building programmes, which are equipping professionals with the skills and expertise to integrate ESG principles into their organisational strategies, operations, and decision-making processes. This will enable organisations to align with global sustainability standards, attract responsible investments, and enhance long-term resilience.

JA: What are the core drivers of FITC, and how has the institution remained innovative and dynamic 43 years after its establishment?

CM: FITC’s success over these years has been driven by innovation, excellence, and impact, enabling us to remain a trusted partner in Africa’s financial services sector.

We have remained innovative by anticipating industry trends and adopting cutting-edge technologies. Our embrace of digital transformation has also optimised our internal processes for greater efficiency and service delivery as I have discussed.

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in initiatives like the FITC Sustainability and ESG Institute, empowering organisations to adopt sustainable practices and align with global standards.

Over this period, we expanded the scope and footprint of our programmes significantly. We added the FITC Board Leadership and Executive Education programmes and expanded our research portfolio to include conferences, driving thought leadership with impact that are far-reaching across over 30 African countries and six continents of the world. The FITC Global Education was introduced to focus primarily on international programmes to deliver learning solution across West and East African countries and other locations such as France, United Arab Emirate, and Turkey with participation drawn from across the various customer segments.



JA: FITC has received several awards and recognitions, both locally and internationally during your tenure. You have also been bestowed several personal awards in this period. What transformational work has earned these accolades?

CM: FITC’s numerous local and international awards over the last five years reflect our dedication to excellence, innovation, and impact in the financial services sector.

Our digital innovations, such as the FITC Learning Management System and Future of Work Academy, have revolutionised learning and capacity building, earning recognition for excellence in learning development and digital transformation. As already mentioned, the FITC Sustainability and ESG Institute has also positioned us as leaders in advancing sustainable practices.

We leverage technology to deliver world-class customer experience and enhance internal operations. By streamlining processes and deploying data-driven solutions, we consistently exceed expectations and deliver exceptional value.

Through thought leadership, advisory services, and research, we’ve supported institutions in addressing challenges like regulatory compliance, risk management, cybersecurity, and talent solutions.

The awards that FITC has received are broad and diverse. They include:

o    2024 Award of Business Excellence (BIZZ Awards)
o    2024 Customer Service – Nonprofit Organisation (TITAN)
o    2024 Non – Profit or Governmental Organisation of the Year (Best in Bizz)
o    2023 Business Excellence Awards (Biz Tech Outlook)
o    2022 Silver Stevie Award for Company of the Year – Business/Professional Services
o    2022 Highly Commended, Business Culture Awards
o    2021 International Business Excellence (IBX) Award)
o    2021 Global Business Excellence (GBE) Award
o    2020 Business Excellence Award (The BIZZ Award)

With the transformative work that I have led at FITC over the last five years, I have also received several individual awards and recognitions, such as:

o    CNBC African Rising Woman in 2020
o    Stevie Award for Inspirational Leadership 2020
o    BIZZ Business Leadership Award for Excellence 2022
o    Women in Management Africa Award 2023
o    Marketing Industry Trailblazer Award 2023
o    The BIZZ African Woman in Leadership Award 2024.

More importantly, these awards reflect the impact of our work, the dedication of our team, and the trust of our stakeholders. They inspire us to continue setting new standards of excellence and innovation while contributing to the growth and resilience of the financial services sector across Africa and beyond.

JA: How does FITC leverage partnerships and collaborations to drive growth?

CM: Partnerships are central to FITC’s strategy for driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence. By collaborating with global institutions, industry leaders, and academia, we leverage world-class expertise to deliver transformational solutions, empowering professionals to excel in a technology-driven world.

Through strategic alliances, we have expanded into new markets, bringing FITC’s expertise in learning, advisory, and sustainability solutions to a broader audience across Africa and beyond. These collaborations have also advanced governance and sustainability practices while enhancing our operational efficiency and adoption of global best practices.

Partnerships are the foundation of our vision to inspire transformation, empower professionals, and create lasting impact across the financial services ecosystem.

Our partnerships span strategic alliances, industry collaborations, education, research, technology, and innovation. Notable partners include the CBN, NDIC, Securities & Exchange Commission, National Insurance Commission, Nigeria Insurance Association, Public Service Institute of Nigeria, CFA Society Nigeria, FinTech Association of Nigeria, Pension Fund Operators of Nigeria, Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria, New York Institute of Finance, London Institute of Banking and Finance, Central Bank of Egypt, Indian Institute of Banking, Microsoft, Sage, Cisco, Remita, and Sath.

JA: What is shaping the future of knowledge and how is FITC positioned for continuous leadership in that space?

CM: The future of knowledge is shaped by technological advancements, the demand for lifelong learning, and the need to address global challenges like sustainability, workforce transformation, and heightened regulatory demands. FITC is positioned as a leader in this space through innovation, thought leadership, and cutting-edge solutions.

Our FITC Learning Management System, Future of Work Academy, and other learning platforms deliver on-demand, world-class learning, equipping professionals with skills in areas such as Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), risk management, compliance, and sustainability to thrive in today’s complex and technology-driven world. The launch of our sustainability and ESG institute further demonstrates our commitment to integrating responsible practices into business operations.

Through research, advisory services, and impactful conferences, we provide forward-thinking insights that help institutions address critical challenges and seize emerging opportunities. By staying ahead of trends and focusing on value creation, FITC empowers professionals and organisations to succeed in an ever-evolving global landscape.

JA: As FITC continues to drive impact in the financial services sector, what is its vision for the future in terms of fostering sustainable growth and innovation? How does FITC plan to remain a key enabler of transformation amid evolving industry challenges?

CM: At FITC, our vision is to expand our reach and drive innovation within the financial services sector and beyond. As the industry evolves, we aim to broaden our market presence locally and internationally, extending our expertise in capacity building and knowledge sharing to a wider audience.

A key component of this vision is the FITC Lekki Campus – a fully residential, world class facility designed to provide an exceptional learning experience for executives and professionals. With state-of-the-art classrooms, accommodation, and recreational spaces, it offers an environment conducive to learning, collaboration, and networking. Additionally, the campus will feature a tech hub to support the growth of young professionals and tech enthusiasts, fostering innovation and creative problem-solving.

As FITC continues to grow, we remain focused on positioning ourselves as a global institution, refining our offerings to meet the changing needs of the financial services industry. With initiatives like the Lekki Campus and our expanded digital reach, we are well-placed to drive sustainable growth and transformation. FITC remains a trusted partner in the global financial ecosystem, committed to shaping the future of learning and delivering value to our stakeholders.