The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Nigeria, Tony Okpanachi, has been conferred with the Fellowship of the Nigerian Economic Society, one of the highest honours of the professional body since its establishment in 1957.
In a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, the fellowship, which has admitted only 74 members in nearly seven decades, is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of economics and national development.
Speaking after receiving the award, Okpanachi described the recognition as a major milestone in his professional journey.
“It is a privilege to be counted among such a select group,” he said. “As a trained economist and a development banker, this recognition aligns with my role at DBN, where we provide access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises, who are the bedrock of the Nigerian economy.
It is all tied to ensuring sustainable growth for Nigeria.”
He emphasised the strategic importance of the Society’s advisory role in shaping the Nigerian economy, adding that the Fellowship will further strengthen his contribution to national economic discourse.
On the theme of this year’s NES conference, ‘Rethinking Africa’s Development’, Okpanachi stressed the need for policies that promote inclusive rather than exclusive growth.
“Inclusive growth is when everyone is carried along,” he noted. “While Africa has consistently discussed GDP growth and other indices, inclusive growth remains a major challenge. For Nigeria, despite our targets, we still lag behind in several development indicators. We need coordinated efforts by policymakers, operators, and stakeholders to put the country on a sustainable growth trajectory.”
The DBN boss explained that his experience in bridging finance gaps for SMEs will shape his contributions to NES conversations.
“From theory to practice, that is what I bring to the table,” he said. “My background as an economist and as a practitioner in banking, especially development banking, gives me both theoretical and practical perspectives. This dual experience helps in finding workable solutions for inclusive growth.”
Okpanachi also reaffirmed DBN’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion by addressing access-to-finance challenges faced by MSMEs, which he described as critical players in achieving long-term national development.
