CIN: Charting Bold Future

Adedayo Adejobi

At its 9th Annual General Meeting, the Compliance Institute, Nigeria (CIN) once again demonstrated why it has become the most important professional body shaping the future of regulatory practice in West Africa. The gathering was more than a ritual of accountability; it was a declaration of ambition, a roadmap for the profession, and a moment of reflection on how far compliance practice has come in Nigeria.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Bawo Egbakhumeh, set the tone with a report that highlighted the extraordinary momentum CIN has built over the past year. Membership, she revealed, had grown by nearly 30 percent year-on-year, surpassing 5,156 professionals drawn not only from Nigeria but also from countries as diverse as Canada, the United Kingdom, Cape Verde and Portugal. Certification numbers, too, had soared. Candidates sitting for professional exams rose by 14 percent, passes jumped by more than half, and the overall pass rate climbed dramatically from 61 to 82 percent.

 “The certification pipeline has strengthened, and our pass rate now reflects the growing commitment of professionals to the highest standards of compliance,”  Egbakhumeh noted.

“CIN is no longer just building capacity locally; we are building an internationally competitive compliance profession.”

That sense of international reach was reinforced throughout the Annual General Meeting. Over the past year, the Institute has deepened collaborations with institutions such as the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Lagos Business School and the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists. Membership of the International Federation of Compliance Associations has also ensured that Nigeria’s voice is present in conversations about global best practice. With plans already underway for its maiden Compliance Conference, the Institute is positioning itself not just as a professional body but as a thought-leadership hub for compliance across Africa.

Technology has also taken centre stage in the Institute’s agenda. The Registrar outlined a phased programme of automation and digitisation that will transform the member experience. Registration and payment processes have been automated, exam enrolments will soon generate instant e-certificates, and a points management system will help professionals track their continuous education. Plans for an AI-driven chatbot to engage members are already in motion, while cybersecurity measures aligned with GDPR and NDPR standards are being strengthened. “Digital adoption is not just about efficiency; it is about future-proofing the profession,” Egbakhumeh explained.

“By 2025, member engagement through online platforms is projected to grow by nearly 20 percent. Our goal is to create a seamless compliance ecosystem, leveraging technology to enhance learning, engagement and accountability.”

But perhaps the most significant development of the past year lies in the halls of the National Assembly. CIN’s long-awaited Charter Bill crossed a crucial milestone in 2024, sailing through its second reading in the Senate and now awaiting a public hearing.

 For the President of the Institute, Pattison Boleigha, this is nothing short of a turning point. “Securing the passage of the CIN Charter Bill into law remains our foremost priority in 2025,” he said in his AGM report.

“Attaining chartered status will formally establish CIN’s role in regulating the compliance profession in Nigeria.”

The practical impact of a charter would be sweeping. With such recognition, CIN would not only certify but also regulate compliance officers nationwide, setting ethical and professional benchmarks across banking, telecommunications, oil and gas, manufacturing and beyond. For an industry still struggling with issues of corruption, weak governance, and regulatory uncertainty, chartered status could help transform compliance into the backbone of institutional integrity.

The Institute has also made strides in aligning its own programs with international standards. Its flagship qualification, the Associate of Compliance Institute, Nigeria, is being benchmarked against the International Certified Compliance Professional standards of IFCA. “By aligning our certification with ICCP standards, we elevate CIN’s credentials to global recognition,” the President affirmed.

“This ensures our members remain competitive and well-prepared to navigate evolving risks, whether in Nigeria or across global markets.”

These risks, he reminded members, are not theoretical.

In Nigeria, compliance officers are grappling with an increasingly complex regulatory environment, from anti-money laundering laws to data protection requirements, with corruption and fraud never far behind. Globally, compliance professionals must contend with the rise of digital assets, the expanding reach of sanctions regimes, cybercrime and heightened enforcement of anti-bribery laws.

CIN’s response has been to intensify its capacity-building efforts, ensuring its members are not only trained but regularly updated through bi-weekly webinars and sector-specific workshops. Over 700 professionals attended its online sessions in 2024 alone, and courtesy visits to institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have further embedded CIN into Nigeria’s compliance ecosystem.

The challenges are significant, but so too is the vision. As the Institute looks ahead to 2025, the agenda is both ambitious and carefully calibrated. Membership is expected to cross the 7,000 mark before the year ends. The number of certified professionals is projected to grow by more than 40 percent.

In the words of its Registrar, Bawa Egbakumeh, ‘’A website upgrade will anchor the Institute’s digital transformation drive, and revenue is forecast to rise by as much as a quarter, thanks to a disciplined approach to expense management. At the same time, the Institute is preparing to host its inaugural Compliance Conference and a high-profile induction ceremony in December, signalling its intent to step into the public square as the authoritative voice of compliance in Nigeria.’’

For the President of CIN, the AGM was both a celebration of progress and a challenge for the future. “CIN has become a household name in compliance, but our vision is bigger,” he declared.

“The years ahead must be about deepening our institutional foundations, attaining our charter, and expanding our influence across Africa. Compliance is the language of trust, and trust is the currency of modern business.”

As he spoke, it became clear that CIN’s leadership is united around a shared message: compliance is not a bureaucratic burden but the bedrock of sustainable institutions.

The Chairman paid tribute to the dedication of members and staff, while the Registrar underlined the transformation underway in systems and services. And the President reminded everyone that compliance is ultimately about credibility—the credibility of businesses, regulators, and the society at large.

The 9th Annual General Meeting was therefore more than a routine review. It was a moment of reckoning, an affirmation that Nigeria’s compliance profession has come of age, and a bold signal that the future will be shaped by those who see compliance not as a checklist but as a culture. If the Institute achieves its charter in 2025, it will not only cement its place in Nigeria’s regulatory landscape but also serve as a beacon for other African countries searching for ways to professionalise and strengthen governance.

As Nigeria navigates complex political, economic and technological changes, CIN appears ready to play the role of trusted guide. Its leaders are clear-eyed about the challenges, yet confident in the opportunities.

If the energy, clarity and ambition on display at this year’s AGM are anything to go by, the next decade promises to be one in which CIN not only grows in numbers, but also in influence, setting standards that will ripple across Africa and beyond.