Nigeria’s growing influence in global Islamic finance has received fresh recognition, with TAJBank Limited and its Founder and Managing Director, Mr. Hamid Joda, securing major honours at the 2026 Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) in the United Kingdom.
Joda was named Islamic Banker of the Year 2026, while TAJBank received the GIFA Championship Award (Digital Banking) 2026 during the organisation’s 16th annual awards ceremony.
The recognition acknowledges Joda’s commitment to Islamic banking best practices, innovative financial solutions and strategies aimed at expanding access to non-interest banking services, particularly at the grassroots.
It also highlights TAJBank’s contribution to digital banking and the advancement of ethical financial services in Nigeria.
GIFA, an international organisation promoting social responsibility, Shari’a authenticity and ethical standards in Islamic finance, said the awards followed a detailed assessment of distinguished nominees.
In a pre-event email to Joda, GIFA Chairman, Prof. Humayon Dar, stated that the committee selected TAJBank and its managing director after careful deliberation guided by factors outlined in the organisation’s GIFA Methodology.
Dato’ Iqbal Khan, Founding CEO of Fajr Capital, Pioneer CEO of HSBC Amanah and a GIFA committee member, presented the Banker of the Year Award. Joda was represented at the ceremony by TAJBank’s Chief Compliance Officer, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Muhammad.
Reacting to the honour, Joda described it as a collective achievement involving TAJBank’s Board of Directors, management, employees and customers.
He said the recognition should inspire renewed commitment to ethical banking practices and the development of innovative products that enable more Nigerians to benefit from non-interest financial services.
“The Global Islamic Banker of the Year 2026 award is conferred on me but the commendation goes to our Board of Directors, the management and staff of TAJBank as well as our customers, who are creating the enabling environment for my performance,” Joda said.
He thanked the GIFA Committee, regulatory authorities, shareholders and customers, assuring stakeholders that TAJBank would continue working towards retaining its position as the biggest Islamic bank in Nigeria while upholding ethical banking standards.
The award adds to Joda’s professional distinctions, following his recognition as Most Promising Banker of the Year at GIFA’s 13th Awards ceremony in Dakar, Senegal, in 2023.
That same year, he received the Islamic Personality of the Year Award at the 6th African International Conference of Islamic Finance in Abuja, Nigeria.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Joda has more than 26 years of experience spanning deposit banking and Islamic banking operations.
The latest honours underscore the growing participation of Nigerian institutions in international Islamic finance while drawing attention to the opportunities for ethical, inclusive and technology-driven banking solutions within the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment