By JKNewsMedia
DISTINGUISHED FIGURES from across Africa’s financial, political, and business sectors gathered in Lagos to celebrate Professor Benedict Okechukwu Oramah, outgoing President and Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), whose decade of leadership transformed Africa’s trade and development landscape.
Hosted by Fidelity Bank Plc, the black-tie dinner themed “Celebrating a Titan” was held at the Lagos Continental Hotel on Thursday, 2 October 2025.
The evening brought together an eminent assembly of leaders, partners, and international guests to pay tribute to a man widely acclaimed as one of the continent’s most visionary financial minds.
Welcoming attendees, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, described Professor Oramah as “a towering figure in Africa’s economic renaissance.”
She said his decade-long tenure at Afreximbank had been defined by strategic foresight, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to inclusive growth.
“From Cairo to Kigali, Lagos to Lusaka, his influence has touched lives, empowered businesses, and strengthened the very fabric of African integration,” Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe stated, while recalling his pivotal role in pioneering initiatives such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and promoting intra-African trade and creative industries.
She added that Fidelity Bank considered it an honour to host the event in recognition of Professor Oramah’s unparalleled service to Africa, noting that his leadership at Afreximbank continues to serve as a blueprint for sustainable financial transformation on the continent.
The high-profile dinner drew a distinguished guest list including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Ms. Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite.
Also present were prominent private-sector leaders and heads of institutions from across Africa who gathered to celebrate Professor Oramah’s contributions to regional development, trade finance, and economic cooperation.
Special recognition was extended to Mrs. Chinelo Oramah, whose steadfast support was acknowledged as an essential pillar throughout her husband’s tenure. Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe noted that Mrs. Oramah’s role on the home front was invaluable in enabling Professor Oramah to pursue his transformational agenda with focus and dedication.
Tributes poured in from several dignitaries, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chairman of Vista Group Holding, Mr. Simon Tiemtore, and Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, who described Professor Oramah as “the most consequential African person in the last 10 years.”
Mr. Chike-Obi commended the outgoing Afreximbank President for steering the institution through complex economic challenges while expanding its role as a cornerstone of continental trade and financial stability.
In his remarks, Professor Oramah expressed deep gratitude to Fidelity Bank for hosting the event and celebrating his journey.
“I want to thank the board and management of Fidelity Bank for this honour. It is not always that when a leader of an institution gets to the twilight of his tenure that those he works with deem it important to say we appreciate you. I really cherish this event,” he said.
He dedicated the recognition to his family, his wife, and the Afreximbank community, describing their collective efforts as the driving force behind the Bank’s achievements over the past decade.
Reflecting on the enduring relationship between Afreximbank and Fidelity Bank, Professor Oramah said:
“Our relationship with Fidelity Bank dates back to the 1990s, and it has grown from year to year.
“Fidelity Bank is one of the trusted partners that we have. Fidelity Bank has helped us to achieve some of the things we have achieved here in Nigeria.
“When my dear sister, Nneka, took over, she did more than everyone expected. The transformation that we continue to see in Fidelity Bank is something that makes all of us proud.”
He added that the partnership between both institutions, built on shared values and mutual trust, would continue to expand in the years ahead, particularly in areas that promote intra-African trade, industrialisation, and sustainable development.
The evening was elegantly anchored by broadcast journalist Ojinika ‘Ojy’ Okpe and comedian and actor Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, popularly known as Okey Bakassi, who added a light-hearted yet dignified tone to the event.
Guests were treated to an atmosphere of sophistication, reflection, and celebration, marked by musical performances, toasts, and tributes honouring Professor Oramah’s legacy.
The celebration climaxed with a rousing musical performance by Nigerian highlife artist Chinedu Okoli, professionally known as Flavour N’abania, whose performance brought the hall to life and symbolised the unity of art, culture, and leadership that Professor Oramah has long championed.
Over the course of his decade at the helm of Afreximbank, Professor Oramah presided over an era of growth and innovation that reshaped the Bank’s footprint across Africa.
Under his leadership, the institution expanded its capital base, financed critical trade infrastructure, and championed the development of key initiatives such as the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), and the establishment of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) – all designed to accelerate industrialisation and promote intra-African commerce.
His advocacy for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and support for mechanisms that strengthen African economies against external shocks positioned Afreximbank as a pivotal player in driving continental resilience.
The event, which blended elegance with substance, offered guests a rare opportunity to celebrate not only the achievements of an individual but also the progress of African finance and development under his stewardship.
Many attendees described the night as a defining moment that encapsulated Professor Oramah’s lifelong commitment to African prosperity, financial independence, and the power of collective growth.
For Fidelity Bank, hosting the farewell dinner served as a reaffirmation of its own commitment to Africa’s economic advancement and collaboration with regional financial institutions that share its development vision.
The Bank’s leadership highlighted the importance of honouring individuals whose work continues to inspire innovation, inclusion, and impact across the continent.
By the close of the evening, the applause, reflections, and heartfelt tributes had coalesced into one shared sentiment – that Professor Benedict Oramah’s legacy will endure as a testament to purposeful leadership, visionary finance, and an unwavering belief in Africa’s potential.
