Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin, Chief Executive Officer of Rokel Commercial Bank (SL) Ltd, is scheduled to deliver a special lecture today, Friday, July 17, 2026. He will address Banking and Finance students at the Institute of Administration and Management (IPAM) on critical aspects of modern finance. The lecture theme is “Digital Trust and Financial Inclusion: Building a Modern Banking Ecosystem for International Investors through CRM.” Dr. Gilpin's address will focus on digital banking, customer relationship management (CRM), and financial inclusion. The lecture is taking place today, Friday, July 17, 2026, and is specifically tailored for the Banking and Finance students at the Institute of Administration and Management (IPAM). Students are expected to gain practical knowledge of contemporary banking practices and the evolving digital financial landscape from the presentation. This engagement is anticipated to provide students with practical knowledge of modern banking practices and the rapidly evolving digital financial landscape.
Bank's Remarkable Turnaround
Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin was specifically invited to speak due to the significant transformation observed at Rokel Commercial Bank in recent years. Alhaji Dauda Musa Bangura affirmed that "Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin was intentionally invited because of the remarkable transformation of Rokel Commercial Bank in recent years." Rokel Commercial Bank has evolved from a period of substantial challenges to establish itself as one of Sierra Leone’s leading commercial banks. The institution's journey involved overcoming various operational and financial obstacles, culminating in its current position within the banking sector. Its progress is frequently cited as an example of successful institutional reform and strategic digital adoption within the nation's financial landscape. The bank's evolution from overcoming significant challenges to becoming one of Sierra Leone’s leading commercial banks forms a key part of the discussion.
Lecture Content and Objectives
Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin will present a case study during his lecture titled, “How Customers Can Change a Bank’s Dynamics: A Case Study of RCBank.” Alhaji Dauda Musa Bangura, a Banking and Finance Course Lecturer at IPAM, stated that "the bank’s impressive growth, profitability and operational turnaround have become a major point of discussion among students, many of whom are eager to understand how the institution evolved from overcoming significant challenges to becoming one of Sierra Leone’s leading commercial banks." As a Banking and Finance Course Lecturer at IPAM, Alhaji Dauda Musa Bangura emphasizes the relevance of Dr. Gilpin's insights for students.
Sallu Kanu, the Morning Shift Class Representative for Banking and Finance students at IPAM, indicated that "students are eager to engage with Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin, gain practical insights into banking leadership and better understand the strategies behind Rokel Bank’s success." The Calabash Newspaper, which was established in 2017, has also covered the bank's progress. Sallu Kanu, serving as the Morning Shift Class Representative for Banking and Finance students at IPAM, notes the collective anticipation among the student body.
Student Anticipation and Academic Context
Rokel Commercial Bank has experienced impressive growth, profitability, and an operational turnaround that contributes to the academic interest in its leadership. Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin was recently named African Banker of the Year 2026, further elevating the anticipation for his address. Mabinty Suma, a student at IPAM, is among those looking forward to the lecture. Students have expressed excitement ahead of the event, describing it as "a unique opportunity to learn directly from one of the country’s most accomplished banking executives." This excitement is shared by students like Mabinty Suma, who are eager for the practical insights Dr. Gilpin will provide. The Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) operates under the leadership of Professor Lakkoh.
