In a recent momentous event held on 21 April 2025, Douala, Background Check International (BCI) officially launched its operations in Cameroon, Francophone Africa, marking a new chapter in strengthening trust and transparency in business, governance, and society.
The launch, attended by distinguished guests from various sectors, showcased the organization’s deep commitment to building a culture of integrity through thorough and reliable background verification services.
Opening the Ceremony: Mrs Ojong Rose Egbe Mbi, Powerful Call to Trust
Opening the occasion, Mrs. Rose Ojong, Managing Partner of BCI Cameroon, set a powerful tone with a speech emphasizing that trust is the cornerstone upon which businesses, governments, and communities thrive.
She stressed that BCI was founded on the belief that thorough and reliable background checks are vital to safeguarding relationships in both public and private sectors.
“Our services protect businesses from potential risks and foster a culture of trust and accountability,” Mrs. Ojong declared, noting that BCI’s expertise would empower organizations to make informed decisions that contribute to building a safer and stronger Cameroon.
She highlighted BCI’s distinctiveness, a combination of experienced professionals, cutting-edge technology, and a deep understanding of the local context that positions the company to deliver exceptional services.
Mrs. Ojong acknowledged and appreciated the key partners who have been instrumental in BCI’s expansion: Peggy (Consulting and Due Diligence Lead for Cameroon and Francophone Africa), Dr. Linus (Business Development and Strategy Lead for Cameroon and Francophone Africa), and TJ (Technology and Business Development Lead at BCI Nigeria).
In closing, she left the audience with a resounding message: “The future of businesses and societies is built on trust. And at BCI, we are proud to play a part in creating a future where trust is not just a value but a certainty.”
The Founder’s Story: Chief Kola Olugbodi’s Inspiring Journey
Following Mrs. Ojong’s welcome, Chief Dr. Kola Olugbodi, the Founder and CEO of BCI, delivered an inspiring keynote tracing the remarkable journey of the organization.
He warmly welcomed the guests, describing the launch in Cameroon as a “dream come true.” Chief Kola recounted how the idea of “Background Check” and later “International” first came to him , an idea that has now blossomed into a global reality by the grace of God.
Reflecting on his humble beginnings, Chief Kola shared how he stumbled into the background check industry while running a recruitment agency in Nigeria. Frustrated by client demands to personally vouch for candidates, he realized the need for a thorough, professional verification process.
This insight led to the birth of Background Check International, an organization committed to verifying academic records, previous employment, criminal records, and even family backgrounds for domestic staff.
“Today, BCI serves over 3,000 clients, including giants like Unilever, MultiChoice, and Citibank Nigeria,” he proudly stated.
Chief Kola detailed how BCI’s focus shifted fully to background checks, earning the trust of financial regulators such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, and pioneering standards like KYC (Know Your Customer), KYS (Know Your Staff), and KYV (Know Your Vendor) within the financial sector.
Turning to Cameroon, he expressed profound admiration for the country and emphasized that the decision to expand into Cameroon was both strategic and heartfelt.
He praised the partners Rose, Peggy, and Dr. Linus , for embodying BCI’s values captured in the acronym ASPIRE: Accountability, Self-Discipline, Professionalism, Integrity, Reliability, and Entrepreneurial Spirit.
Chief Kola closed his remarks with gratitude to the Cameroonian people for their warm hospitality and optimism about the profound impact BCI will have on businesses, institutions, and individuals in Cameroon.
Adding strong corporate backing to the event, several industry leaders weighed in:
Mr Bodylawson Ebenezer, Chief Finance Officer of MTN Cameroon expressed appreciation for the initiative on background checks. He emphasized that background checks are crucial, especially noting that while companies like MTN conduct background checks for all recruits, more detailed and independent vendor checks are needed. He suggested that the arrival of Background Check International could raise standards by bringing competition and improving scrutiny processes. He highlighted the importance of governance, mentioning that even MTN board members undergo background checks to ensure credibility. He thanked Rose, Peggy, Dr. Linus for introducing this important initiative to Cameroon, adding that those who value governance and transparency will welcome it.
Mr. Gordon Acha, General Manager and Chief Commercial Officer of Citibank Cameroon, congratulated Rose on launching a brilliant organzation, Background Check International (BCI), in Cameroon. He stressed that trust is critical in the banking industry, where customers entrust large sums of money to banks.
BCI brings a professional approach to background checks, ensuring that people entrusted with important responsibilities are properly vetted. He shared personal experiences of providing references and questioning how well he truly knew the individuals. He emphasized that having a reliable background check service like BCI is crucial. Highlighting Rose’s strong connection to Citibank through her past work, he assured that Citibank will support BCI’s growth in Cameroon.
- A prominent legal expert advised BCI to formalize its internal operations by partnering with the Ministry of Justice, recommending that BCI workers should take oaths of confidentiality and ethics before beginning their duties. He noted that this step would reinforce trust and compliance within sensitive national frameworks.
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Mrs. Abunaw Gwen, Managing Director and CEO of Ecobank Cameroon, celebrated BCI’s entry, noting that banks rely heavily on trust ,both internally among staff and externally with partners. She welcomed BCI’s service as essential for the health and future of Cameroon’s banking sector.
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Representatives from Dangote Group echoed the sentiment, stating that large corporations operating across Africa urgently need trustworthy verification services to protect investments, maintain operational integrity, and minimize risks.
Adding a powerful voice from local governance, the Mayor of Tiko Municipality, HRH Peter Ikome Mesoso, delivered a thoughtful, strategic message. Recognizing the immense challenges BCI will face, he stressed:
“For this program to truly succeed, BCI must partner closely with the State of Cameroon. It’s inevitable, background checks will touch individuals in government institutions. Therefore, the government’s involvement is not optional; it is critical.”
The Mayor underlined the consequences of poor background checks in public offices, citing cases where unverified individuals have caused systemic failures and project abandonments. He called on BCI to forge strong partnerships with the Ministry of Justice, law enforcement, the National Employment Fund, and other key sectors, ensuring that background checks extend beyond private companies to public sector appointments, contractors, and election candidates.
He likened background checks to investigations into the life, character, and history of individuals, noting that thorough verification must include family background, financial authenticity, and legal records.
The Mayor concluded passionately:
“You will face challenges. But anything that aims to correct deep-rooted problems will not be easy. Remain strong. Your mission is needed more than ever. If we fix these critical areas, the ripple effects will transform our nation.”
The BCI Cameroon launch closed on a high note, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official opening of Background Check International’s new office in Cameroon. The guest expressed excitement and optimism with resounding messages that echoed through the room:
Trust is no longer negotiable, it must be built, verified, and protected.
