The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), yesterday, executed a linkage agreement with Bayero University, Kano (BUK), aimed at integrating professional banking qualifications into university education to address Nigeria’s long-standing gap between academic training and professional practice.

The agreement comes as stakeholders in the education and financial services sectors continue to seek stronger alignment between academic training and professional practice.

‎Speaking at the signing yesterday, in Lagos, CIBN President and Chairman of Council, Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, described the partnership as a deliberate intervention to strengthen the “town-and-gown” relationship and improve employability outcomes for graduates, especially in the North-West.

Under the linkage programme, eligible students of banking and finance and related social science courses at BUK will be able to earn their academic degrees alongside the Associate Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB) professional qualification.

The arrangement allows students to commence professional examinations while still in school, significantly reducing the time and cost of transitioning into professional practice.

Olanrewaju disclosed that the institute has now executed 83 linkage agreements nationwide, covering 59 universities and 24 polytechnics, with 15 institutions already participating in the MSc-ACIB Programme.

He said the linkage programme forms part of the institute’s broader legacy agenda on human capital development, under which CIBN has pursued capacity-building initiatives across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

He added that BUK successfully passed CIBN’s accreditation exercise in 2025, confirming the university’s compliance with the National Universities Commission (NUC) standards, faculty quality and infrastructure requirements.

“This linkage was conceived to bridge the gap between theory and practice by integrating professional qualifications into university degree programmes,” he said.

He explained that the arrangement allows eligible students to earn academic degrees alongside the Associate Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB) qualification, significantly enhancing their employability and providing a competitive edge in the labour market. Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Haruna Musa, described the agreement as central to the university’s strategic direction.

“In Nigeria, we have seriously downplayed synergy between academia and industry, and it is impacting negatively on the way we do things in Nigeria,” he said.

Musa noted that the partnership aligns with global best practices where the industry, academia and policymakers collaborate with a view to addressing developmental challenges.

Beyond students, the partnership also provides opportunities for faculty development through joint conferences, research, publications and participation in the CIBN professional activities.

Olanrewaju stressed that effective implementation would be critical, urging both institutions to promptly establish a linkage committee to sustain engagement and ensure measurable outcomes.

He also revealed plans to deepen CIBN’s regional presence through conferences and infrastructure projects, noting that Kano’s strategic importance as the commercial hub of the North-West makes it a focal point for expanding professional capacity in the region.

With the agreement formally executed, both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the collaboration beyond current leadership tenures, positioning the partnership as part of a broader effort to invest in human capital and strengthen Nigeria’s financial services ecosystem. (Guardian)