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Vice President Kashim Shettima will headline the 24th Annual International Conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), which is scheduled to take place later this month in Lagos. The two-day summit will bring together top government officials, regulators, business leaders, and international experts to deliberate on major risks affecting both Nigeria and the global community.
Themed “Global Risks, Local Solutions”, the conference aims to provide a platform where stakeholders can design practical approaches to tackle challenges such as climate change, financial market volatility, artificial intelligence disruptions, and public health threats. Organisers say the event comes at a time when Nigeria and Africa are under increasing pressure to adapt to global risks while facing local realities like unemployment, poor infrastructure, and weak institutions.
This year’s conference also marks the first official outing of Mr Kevin Ugwuoke as President and Chairman of CRMI’s Governing Council. Ugwuoke said the event is more than a meeting of professionals but a strategic gathering to shape the future of risk management in Nigeria and across Africa.
“This year’s conference is more than an event; it is a strategic gathering. We will examine areas such as domestic risk mapping, climate and food security, AI-driven disruptions, and investor protection. Nigeria must be prepared to navigate a rapidly changing world,” Ugwuoke said in a statement.
The institute explained that Africa remains especially vulnerable to global shocks. While artificial intelligence continues to disrupt industries around the world, the continent is still grappling with food insecurity linked to climate change, fluctuating oil and commodity prices, and fragile health systems. Added to these are challenges of unemployment among young people, gaps in infrastructure, and institutional weaknesses, which worsen the impact of global risks.
CRMI stressed that the time has come for Africa to build resilience by adapting global risk frameworks to suit local conditions. The conference is expected to provide answers and strategies that can help governments, businesses, and communities survive and thrive despite uncertainty.
According to the organisers, the target audience includes senior executives, board members, policymakers, risk professionals, financial analysts, sustainability managers, technology experts, and members of the public who are interested in solutions to global risks.
The programme will feature high-level keynote addresses, panel sessions, and masterclasses handled by both Nigerian and international experts. Topics will include enterprise risk management, environmental and social governance (ESG), cybersecurity, financial resilience, and national security. Delegates will also be introduced to new research tools developed by the institute to provide risk solutions that are globally aligned but locally relevant.
Vice President Shettima is expected to set the tone for discussions by highlighting Nigeria’s strategy in handling risks that threaten both economic growth and national stability. His participation reflects the government’s recognition of risk management as an essential part of governance and development planning.
Ugwuoke added that the event is not only a conference but also a call to action. He said leaders across the public and private sectors must approach today’s uncertainty with foresight, agility, and innovation. He stressed that the institute remains committed to building platforms that strengthen Africa’s resilience against shocks in the economy, environment, and society.
Now in its 24th year, the CRMI International Conference has grown into one of Africa’s most respected forums for professional dialogue on risk and resilience. Previous editions have influenced policy direction in finance, corporate governance, and national security. Organisers say this year’s edition will be no different, as it seeks to push stakeholders toward concrete steps that improve preparedness.
As Nigeria continues to push for economic reforms and greater investor confidence, analysts believe that such conferences are crucial in equipping leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to reduce exposure to shocks. The Lagos event is expected to draw wide participation from across Africa and beyond, positioning the institute as a driver of risk management expertise on the continent.
