AYV News, July 17, 2026
The Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank (SL) Ltd, Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin, is set to deliver a special lecture to Banking and Finance students at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) on Friday, focusing on digital banking, customer relationship management (CRM), and financial inclusion.
Dr. Gilpin, who was recently honoured as African Banker of the Year 2026, will deliver a lecture titled “Digital Trust and Financial Inclusion: Building a Modern Banking Ecosystem for International Investors through CRM.” He will also present a case study, “How Customers Can Change a Bank’s Dynamics: A Case Study of RCBank,” highlighting how customer relationships have influenced the transformation and growth of Rokel Commercial Bank.
The lecture is expected to provide students with practical knowledge of modern banking practices, digital transformation, and the critical role of customer trust in promoting financial inclusion and attracting international investment.
During the session, Dr. Gilpin will discuss how customer behaviour shapes banking operations and strategic decision-making, while explaining how effective Customer Relationship Management (CRM) can strengthen institutional performance, improve service delivery, and build confidence in the financial sector.
The event forms part of IPAM’s ongoing efforts to expose students to real-world industry experience by engaging leading professionals to complement classroom learning.
Speaking ahead of the lecture, Banking and Finance Course Lecturer Alhaji Dauda Musa Bangura said the initiative reflects IPAM’s commitment, under the leadership of Professor Ezekiel Kalvin Duramany-Lakkoh, to bridging the gap between academic theory and professional practice.
According to Bangura, Dr. Gilpin was specifically invited because of the remarkable turnaround of RokelCommercial Bank over the past few years.
He noted that the bank’s impressive growth, profitability, and expanding reputation have generated significant interest among students, many of whom are keen to understand how the institution successfully transformed from a struggling financial institution into one of Sierra Leone’s leading commercial banks.
Students have welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm, describing it as a unique opportunity to interact with one of the country’s most accomplished banking executives.
Morning Shift Class Representative Sallu Kanucommended the course lecturer for bringing practical industry experience into the classroom.
He said students are eager to engage directly with Dr. Gilpin and learn from his leadership journey, innovations, and strategies that have contributed to Rokel Bank’s success.
Another student, Mabinty Suma, expressed excitement about learning firsthand from a financial leader whose achievements have earned both national and international recognition.
She said Dr. Gilpin’s contributions to banking sector reforms and financial innovation have played an important role in Sierra Leone’s economic development and would serve as an inspiration to aspiring finance professionals.
Several other Banking and Finance students also described the lecture as a rare opportunity to gain practical insights into banking leadership, digital innovation, customer engagement, and the future of financial services in Sierra Leone.
The special lecture is expected to stimulate discussions on the evolving digital financial landscape while equipping students with industry-relevant knowledge that will prepare them for careers in the modern banking sector.
