In a historic collaboration, CRC Credit Bureau has entered into a strategic partnership with Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, following the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at CRC's head office in Lagos, Nigeria.
The MoU marks the first university partnership for CRC, and represents a significant step toward strengthening the connection between Nigeria's academic institutions and the financial services sector.
At the heart of this collaboration is a commitment to creating tangible opportunities for students, faculty, and the broader Nigerian economy. Here's what the partnership brings to the table:
The partnership will provide KWASU researchers and students with access to anonymised CRC data to support impactful research in finance, business, data management, and technology, while enabling joint research projects that address key socio-economic issues and offer specialised training in areas such as financial inclusion, credit management, and data science. It will also offer annual internship opportunities to at least three top-performing KWASU students in relevant disciplines, giving them hands-on industry experience and career development support, alongside an annual Employability Day designed to equip final-year students with practical, industry-relevant skills for a smooth transition into professional careers. In addition, the collaboration will promote ongoing knowledge exchange through shared publications, best practices, dialogue sessions, and facility utilisation, while extending CRC’s financial literacy and credit awareness initiatives to the KWASU community through its business-to-consumer offerings.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. 'Tunde Popoola, MD/CEO of CRC Credit Bureau, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. "This collaboration represents a landmark between academia and industry, it bridges the critical gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in Nigeria's evolving financial services landscape. KWASU is a frontline institution doing great things, and we are excited to work together toward producing research innovations, skilled graduates, and economic contributions that will resonate far beyond Kwara State."
Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, Vice-Chancellor of KWASU, pledged full implementation of the MoU's objectives. "We believe this partnership will translate into tangible outcomes for the KWASU community, our partners, and the larger Nigerian economy," he said. For us to be a formidable catalyst for community and economic transformation, we must work with governments, industries, and corporate entities like CRC Credit Bureau who are the largest credit bureau in Africa, and this partnership exemplifies that vision."
This agreement is built on principles of mutual reciprocity, quality assurance, and transformative impact. Both institutions are committed to making this partnership work, not just on paper, but through concrete actions that benefit students, researchers, and Nigeria's financial services ecosystem.
As Nigeria continues to evolve its financial infrastructure and expand access to credit, partnerships like this one between CRC and KWASU will play a crucial role in developing the next generation of finance, technology, and business professionals equipped to drive that change.
The KWASU delegation at the signing ceremony was led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, and included the Registrar, Dr. Kikelomo Sallee; Director of Advancement and Industrial Collaboration, Dr. Lukman Adam; Director, Legal Unit, Mallam Yakub Omotosho Yakub; and Director of University Relations, Dr. Saeedat Aliyu.
They were received by members of the CRC Credit Bureau team who were present at the event, including Mrs. Jelilat Kareem, Executive Director; Mr. Ezekiel Agbonifo, Divisional Head, Risk, Internal Audit & Compliance; Ms. Olamide Ariwodola, Business Development, Credit Solutions; Mr. Ayodeji Aluko, Head, Data Analytics and Partnerships; Mrs. Zainab Abolarin, Head, Operations; Mr. Isaiah Iyede, Head, Digital & Automation; Mr. Joshua Sayo, Team Lead, CRC Financial Education Centre (CFEC); and Olawuyi Awofisayo, Head, Brand & Corporate Communications.
This partnership represents a new chapter in academic-industry collaboration in Nigeria's financial services sector, demonstrating how universities and corporations can work together to create opportunities, drive research, and build a stronger economy.