By Prince Okafor 

The Credit Bureau Association of Nigeria, CBAN, yesterday, restated its resolve to promote access to finance for stakeholders in the financial sector for greater economic growth as it is set to host its 3^rd National Credit Reporting Conference with the theme “Credit Bureaus and Access to Finance: Nigeria’s Success Story” .

MD/CEO Credit Registry Services (Credit Bureau) Plc and Chairman, CBAN, Mrs. Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun

In a statement by the association, Chairman of the association, Mrs. Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun stated that this year’s conference coincides with the 25^th anniversary of Credit Reporting in Nigeria and it is the third edition of the national conference series.

The Credit Bureau Association of Nigeria was established to promote use of credit reporting in Nigeria, access to finance, execution of policies favorable to the health of the financial system and to promote the interests of credit bureaus.

According to Mrs. Sharrieff-Ayedun, the gathering provides the opportunity to evaluate the successes recorded over the 25-year period and achievements of credit reporting in Nigeria. Credit Bureaus have been stimulating economic growth through the provision of critical risk management and fraud prevention services to the financial services sector, and the promotion of regulations and policies that have generally improved access to finance for households and the real sector of the economy.

Also, the Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins who will be speaking on An Analysis of the Guidelines on Licensing and Operations of Credit Bureaus: Its Relevance to the Nigerian Financial Sector, noted that the conference: is expected to bring industry leaders together to forge a common front towards financial system stability through adequate monitoring and improved access to finance.

Another speaker at the conference, Head of International Finance Corporation (IFC) programme on promotion of growth of credit bureaus in sub-Saharan Africa, Luz Maria Salamina stated that when there is little information, then there is little financing, when you extend credit to a very small company or business and they expand their services, they impact society and they create jobs. This conference, therefore, creates a veritable platform to deepen access to finance in Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan region.

Other speakers at the one-day conference includes the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; IFC Representative, Mr. Ubong Awah; MD/CEO Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Yinka Sanni; MD/CEO RenMoney, Mr. Graham Lee; MD/CEO CRC Credit Bureau, Mr. Tunde Popoola; MD/CEO XDS Credit Bureau, Mrs. Mobolanle Adesanya and MD/CEO CreditRegistry Services Credit Bureau/CBAN Chairman, Mrs. Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun amongst others.