However, Wale Adeyipo, managing director of CWG, cautioned that partnerships must account for risk. He warned that while collaboration unlocks opportunity, it also exposes banks to new fraud and compliance challenges.
‘We must build for scale through structured partnerships and invest in human capital,’ he said, adding that without skilled people, ‘technology-driven growth cannot be sustained.’
The conversation also spotlighted leadership, infrastructure, and governance. Seyi Ebenezer, CEO, PayAza, emphasised that fintechs must prioritise strong corporate governance to build enduring institutions. ‘Appointing leaders with the right experience and posture,’ he argued, ‘is critical for structures that can inspire regulatory and investor confidence.’
On her part, Onyinye Olisah, MD/CEO, PayOnUs, pointed to infrastructure reliability as a major weakness, urging banks to adopt redundancy systems similar to those in the airline and telecom sectors to minimize transaction downtime.
Regulatory perspectives were equally sharp. Oladimeji Akano, Country Director for Nigeria, OnAfriq, argued that some fintech roles, such as CEO and CFO, pose higher systemic risks and therefore demand stricter oversight.
He also stressed the need for balance, allowing innovation to thrive in less sensitive areas.
To improve regulatory compliance among banks and fintechs, Akano advised that fintechs should engage regulators early in their innovation journeys, proposing continuous workshops to co-create adaptive compliance frameworks.
Emmanuel Babalola, chief commercial and growth officer, FINCRA, broadened the discussion, warning that liquidity and settlement risks could challenge the next phase of fintech growth.
‘Without deeper synergy between banks and fintechs, inclusion targets may stall,’ he said, identifying identity, trust, and settlement as the key pillars for long-term progress.
On the technology front, Ayotunde Coker, CEO, Open Access Data Centre, described AI as both a defensive and offensive force, capable of securing systems and driving scale. Niyi Toluwalope echoed that AI must be embedded into core financial processes for personalisation, credit scoring, and risk management.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, warned that as AI-driven cyber threats evolve, collaboration will be the industry’s strongest defense. ‘Trust is the currency of the financial system,’ she said. ‘Once lost, it’s nearly impossible to regain.’
Closing the session, Chuks Okoh of CoralPay reminded participants that technology must ultimately serve the customer.
‘AI can help institutions understand consumers deeply and protect them,’ he said.
The Globus Bank Fintech Summit 2025 affirmed that the future of finance will not be shaped in isolation but through collective intelligence, bold innovation, and trust-driven partnerships. By championing collaboration and harnessing the power of artificial intelligence.