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iCentra CEO Taopheek Babayeju Becomes Chartered Banker in Landmark Recognition

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Taopheek Babayeju

Taopheek Babayeju, CEO of iCentra and CellBourn Holdings, inducted as Chartered Banker by CIBN, highlighting leadership in banking and financial transformation

Taopheek Babayeju, Chief Executive Officer of iCentra and Group CEO of CellBourn Holdings, has been inducted as a Chartered Banker by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, joining over 2,000 professionals nationwide.

Also read: CIBN Pledges Support for ACAMB’s Strategic Vision

The induction ceremony, held on March 14, 2026, carried the theme, “Smarter Banking: The Power of Artificial Intelligence,” and recognised individuals who have demonstrated competence, integrity, and a commitment to advancing banking and financial practice in Nigeria.

Babayeju, an entrepreneur, transformation strategist, and business leader with more than 25 years of cross-sector experience, has built a career at the intersection of enterprise transformation, leadership development, and institutional strengthening.

Commenting on the recognition, he said, “Being inducted as a Chartered Banker reinforces the responsibility we all share in strengthening governance, trust, and institutional resilience within our financial system. Strong institutions are the backbone of sustainable economic growth.”

Under his leadership, iCentra has expanded from Nigeria to operations in Texas, United States, with a contact office in London, United Kingdom, serving clients globally.

CellBourn Holdings, which he also heads, is an Africa-focused investment group with interests in finance, technology, and capital projects.

Beyond business, Babayeju has founded several impact-driven initiatives, including The TAB Foundation, LeadPreneur, and ProMaCon Africa, platforms dedicated to leadership development, human capacity building, and institutional strengthening across the continent.

Also read: Dr. Babatunde Onadeko Appointed as Chairman of AERMP Public Sector Committee

His induction into the CIBN further consolidates his commitment to promoting governance, accountability, and excellence within Nigeria’s financial and economic landscape.

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Wema Bank Opens Final Window for One-Day MD/CEO Challenge Ahead of Children’s Day

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Wema Bank Children’s Day entries close on May 20 as the bank invites children to compete for a one-day MD/CEO experience

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XM Future Music Group Investment Platform Allegedly Collapses, Users Lose Funds

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Nigerian investment platform XM Future Music Group collapses amid concerns leaves users unable to withdraw funds amid concerns over suspected Ponzi scheme promising high returns

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Kola Karim’s Shoreline Group Signs $300 million Deal With Accor to Develop Nigeria’s First National Hotel Platform

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Kola Karim’s Shoreline Group has signed a letter of intent with Accor, a world leading hospitality group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform.

The signing took place during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 hosted jointly by Kenya and France in Nairobi.

This ambitious partnership is set to make a significant contribution to the evolving Nigerian hospitality landscape with a substantial investment from Shoreline of $300 million, leveraging Accor’s renowned brand portfolio and expertise.

As gathered the strategic collaboration aims to develop a hotel network across Nigeria, encompassing 10 hotels across eight cities and over 1,200 rooms by 2030.

These properties will span various segments, from midscale to luxury, catering to diverse travelers and contributing significantly to the nation’s tourism growth. The project also includes the establishment of a dedicated hospitality training Academy to nurture local talent and create approximately 1,000 direct jobs.

Mr. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, stated: “We are thrilled to partner with Shoreline Group to unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s hospitality sector. This partnership is a testament to our belief in Nigeria’s dynamic future.

“By combining Shoreline’s deep understanding of the local market with Accor’s global expertise and diverse brand portfolio, we are poised to create an unparalleled hospitality offering that will set new benchmarks for quality and service.

“Crucially, the establishment of the Accor Academy is integral to this vision, enabling us to deliver immediate talent development for the Shoreline hotel portfolio, demonstrate our long-term commitment to Nigeria through dedicated training facilities, and solidify Accor’s position as the employer and educator of choice in West Africa.”

The Agbaoye of Ibadanland and  Chairman of Shoreline Group, Karim,  commenting on the development said: “This partnership is central to Shoreline’s strategy of building institutional-quality infrastructure platforms across Africa.

“We anticipate hospitality infrastructure becoming increasingly vital for capital movement and development, particularly in Nigeria where high-quality room supply is underserved. Our choice to partner with Accor highlights our focus on operational excellence and long-term value.

“The hospitality academy is crucial, alongside physical hotels, for developing local talent to sustain international standards. It will support our portfolio and enhance Nigeria’s hospitality workforce.

“This investment aligns with Shoreline’s broader focus on strategic assets in energy, infrastructure, and industrial development. We view hospitality as a natural extension: real infrastructure supporting economic activity, local capability, and national growth.”

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