NIGERIANS IN THE SQUARE

The Nigerians in the Square Mile (“NISM”) was conceived as an idea in the summer of 2008 and formed in December 2008 following a social gathering of City of London based Nigerian professionals at the premises of Crowther Solicitors in Chancery Lane, London.

NISM was conceived because of the clear need for a truly representative forum for UK based Nigerian professionals working directly in financial services in the City i.e. with Banks, Investment Managers, Stockbroking Firms, Hedge Funds, Investment Banks and/or allied professions such as law firms, accountancy firms, consulting firms and IT professionals.

It is a forum to meet, exchange views, ideas, keep abreast of matters of common interest and more importantly contribute to the continued development of the City and Nigeria’s financial services industry.

NISM was formally launched on 9th October 2009 at a successful gathering at the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury, London. The occasion was graced by a number of eminent Nigerians and friends of Nigeria in the financial, legal, IT and banking fields amongst others. The keynote speaker at the launch was Mr Segun Aganga (then Managing Director of Goldman Sachs, London) and currently the Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mr Aganga delivered an illuminating and well received speech on the Vision 20:20 concept. This was followed by a lively and healthy debate by the attendees on wide ranging matters concerning UK and Nigeria.

Following the successful launch of NISM, an executive board was formed with a view to devising and implementing the aims and objectives
of the organisation. The objectives of NISM include:

	Facilitating networking amongst Nigerian professionals working in the financial sector and its related industries.
	Serving as a think-tank in financial services matters relating to Nigeria.
	Mentoring and assisting Nigerian professionals in the UK and Nigeria.
	Fostering relationship between representative bodies of Nigeria’s financial services industry and Nigerian professionals in the UK.