For decades, Nigeria’s finance industry was a space largely dominated by men, an arena where decisions about wealth, investments, and growth were often shaped without women in the room. But today, the tide has shifted. Nigerian women are not only stepping into these boardrooms; they’re commanding them, breaking barriers, and proving that intelligence, resilience, and vision, not gender, define true leadership.

Across banking, asset management, fintech, and venture capital, a new generation of women is leaving an indelible mark. They are the financial strategists advising billion-naira businesses, the innovators behind disruptive fintech solutions, and the risk managers charting new paths for global partnerships. Their rise is not by accident; it’s the product of grit, brilliance, and an unyielding determination to succeed in a world that once underestimated them.

But their story goes beyond professional milestones. These women are changing perceptions of what success looks like. They are mentors, role models, and proof that balance is possible between career ambition and personal life. In their journeys, we see resilience against systemic challenges, creativity in solving problems, and a fierce commitment to paving the way for the next generation of women in finance.

This cover story is more than a celebration; it’s an exploration of how Nigerian women are rewriting the rules of money and influence. From boardroom strategy sessions to groundbreaking fintech innovations, they are proving that the future of finance in Nigeria is not only female, it is bold, dynamic, and unstoppable.

Adaora Umeoji

Breaking through a historic glass ceiling, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji became the first female Group Managing Director and CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, a milestone that marked a new era for one of Nigeria’s most influential financial institutions.

With over 30 years of banking experience, 26 of which have been with Zenith, her rise from Deputy Managing Director to the top spot speaks to her deep institutional knowledge and leadership acumen.

Under her tenure, Zenith Bank has delivered marathon-strength financial performance: a staggering $671 million in profit for 2024, a record-breaking figure that underscores the success of her strategy. In Q1 2025 alone, the bank reported $194.4 million in profit, expanding its dominance even further.

Her leadership is more than about numbers; it’s transformative. In 2025, she led Zenith to exceed the Central Bank’s N500 billion capital requirement, achieving 160% capitalisation and signalling resilience amid regulatory shifts.

Adaora Umeoji is not just a bank CEO; she is a recognised leader in governance, ethics, and social impact. A recipient of Nigeria’s national honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and numerous accolades, including Banker of the Year 2024, she also champions values-driven banking and mentorship.

At the helm of Zenith Bank, she is not just redefining its path; she’s redefining what leadership looks like in African finance.

Emem Nnana Usoro

Emem Nnana Usoro stands out as one of the most experienced and dynamic figures in Nigeria’s banking industry, bringing over two decades of expertise to her current role as Deputy Governor, Operations, at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Appointed in 2023, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the operational framework of the nation’s apex bank. This portfolio covers payments infrastructure, currency management, and the efficiency of daily banking activities across the system.

Her finance journey began after earning a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Uyo, followed by an MBA from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She further sharpened her leadership skills through executive programs at Lagos Business School and Harvard Business School. Before joining the CBN, Usoro had a remarkable career at United Bank for Africa (UBA), where she served as Executive Director for the Northern Bank Directorate. In that role, she drove business strategy and sales across a vast and diverse region, demonstrating her ability to balance growth with inclusion.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Usoro has consistently been recognised for her operational excellence and her capacity to turn around underperforming units into profit centres. Her current role places her at the heart of the CBN’s modernisation drive, where operational stability and innovation are crucial to Nigeria’s financial future. Usoro embodies resilience, vision, and the technical expertise required to keep the nation’s banking machinery running smoothly.

 

Yemisi Edun

When Yemisi Edun took the reins as the first female Managing Director and CEO of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), she did so with a clear vision: to make finance more inclusive, especially for small businesses and underserved communities. In her short tenure, she has turned that ambition into action and results.

A seasoned banker with nearly 35 years of experience, Edun began her career in corporate finance at Akintola Williams Deloitte before transitioning to FCMB in 2000. She cut her teeth in internal audit and control before rising to CFO and ultimately becoming MD. Her rise reflects both technical excellence and strategic foresight.

Under her leadership, FCMB redefined SME banking in Nigeria, disbursing over 50,000 loans through its SheVentures programme, including interest-free credit and loan guarantees targeting women entrepreneurs. The bank also pushed boundaries with over N208 billion disbursed through digital channels and AI-powered lending workflows, improving both efficiency and financial inclusion.

Despite economic turbulence, Edun maintained profitability, a 72% growth in profit before tax in 2022, and even extended support to renewable energy SMEs with nearly N2 billion in dedicated loans. Her work has not gone unnoticed: she was named Banker of the Year 2023, earned a fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and tapped into national recognition for driving impactful change.

Yemisi Edun’s brand of leadership isn’t about transactions; it’s about transformation: for FCMB, for Nigerian businesses, and for the future of equitable finance.

Miriam Olusanya

In July 2021, Miriam Olusanya made history as the first female Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, stepping into a role previously held by the institution’s founding generation. With over two decades of experience, from executive trainee to finance executive, she has risen through GTBank’s ranks with strategic savvy and unwavering dedication.

As Group Treasurer and Head of Wholesale Banking prior to her appointment, Olusanya managed critical functions including asset and liability management, treasury operations, and foreign exchange trading. Her leadership underpinned the bank’s financial resilience and market reputation.

With an educational foundation in Pharmacy from the University of Ibadan and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Liverpool, she combines analytical precision with financial marketing foresight. She has also enhanced her expertise through executive programs at top global institutions and holds a professional dealing certification from the Association Cambiste Internationale (ACI).

Her impact extends beyond GTBank, she serves on the Board of GTBank Gambia and contributes to national financial policymaking as a member of the Bankers’ Committee’s Financial Markets Subcommittee.

Miriam’s ascent symbolises more than personal achievement; it reflects GTBank’s evolution into a more inclusive cultural and strategic force. In an industry historically dominated by men, she stands as both a pioneer and a role model, showing that leadership, competence, and grace are what define the summit, regardless of gender.

Bolaji Olaitan Agbede

In a moment demanding courage and clarity, Bolaji Olaitan Agbede rose to the occasion. Appointed Acting Group CEO of Access Holdings following the tragic passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, she brought nearly three decades of institutional knowledge and steady leadership to Nigeria’s financial landscape.

Bolaji’s journey began at Guaranty Trust Bank in 1992, where she ascended from executive trainee to manager by 2001. She later led JKG Limited as CEO before joining Access Bank in 2003 to manage its chemical trading portfolio. In 2010, she became Head of Group Human Resources, a role she held until 2022, where she played a critical part in talent development and culture building.

When Access transitioned into a holding company, she was appointed Executive Director, Business Support, overseeing workforce integration and the company’s strategic restructuring. In her time as Acting CEO, she maintained stability, successfully executed the company’s ₦351 billion rights issue, and hosted two seamless AGMs, demonstrating her capability in crisis-led leadership.

Bolaji holds a BSc in Mathematics & Statistics from the University of Lagos and an MBA from Cranfield University, UK. Her development path includes elite leadership programs at IMD and London Business School—a testament to her continuum of excellence.

Bold yet steady, Bolaji Olaitan Agbede embodies leadership grounded in deep experience and unwavering commitment, a clear agenda setter not just for Access Holdings, but for women in Nigerian finance.

Ibukun Awosika

Ibukun Awosika is a true trailblazer in Nigeria’s business and finance landscape. In 2015, she made history as the first female Board Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, shattering a glass ceiling that had remained untouched since the bank’s founding in 1894.

With a degree in Chemistry from the University of Ife and advanced business education under her belt, from Lagos Business School to IESE and Wharton’s Global CEO Program, she built her career on tenacity and vision. Her entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Quebees Ltd. in 1989 from her home, which evolved into The Chair Centre Group, a respected enterprise that designs and manufactures quality furniture and security solutions for banks across West Africa.

Beyond business success, Ibukun’s leadership has a social reach. She co-founded WIMBIZ and the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC), both dedicated to empowering young Nigerians through mentorship and entrepreneurship. Additionally, as an ordained pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, she supports humanitarian efforts across Nigeria.

A multi-award-winning author and media presence, hosting Business His Way and even appearing in the film Citation, she combines business savvy with cultural influence.

Ibukun Awosika’s journey exemplifies how entrepreneurial roots, ethical leadership, and cultural influence can converge to dismantle barriers, one boardroom at a time.

Bola Adesola

Harriet-Ann Omobolanle Bola Adesola is not just a name in Nigerian finance, she’s a foundational force. With over three decades of banking excellence, she holds the distinguished role of Senior Vice-Chairman, Africa at Standard Chartered Bank, after serving as MD & CEO of its Nigeria and West Africa operations from 2010 to 2019.

Bola’s journey is a testament to strategic leadership and industry transformation. Early in her career, she held leadership positions at Citibank in Nigeria and Tanzania, before becoming Managing Director of Kakawa Discount House and Executive Director at First Bank.

In 2001, she co-founded WIMBIZ (Women in Management, Business & Public Service), Nigeria’s leading gender-focused professional network, setting a powerful precedent for female mentorship and empowerment. Beyond that, her influence stretches to corporate governance, as Chair of the CBN Bankers’ Committee’s sub-committee on Economic Development, Sustainability & Gender, and board roles at NIBSS, FMDQ, and CSCS.

Internationally, she has a distinguished presence as Co-Vice-Chair on the UN Global Compact Board, and continues to drive inclusive leadership across sectors.

Bola’s legacy is defined by excellence, pioneering leadership, and unwavering advocacy. She exemplifies what it means to lead with both purpose and impact in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

 

Yetunde B. Oni

In January 2024, Yetunde B. Oni broke a formidable barrier when she became the first female Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank of Nigeria, stepping into the role amid a major leadership overhaul mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria. A banker with nearly three decades of industry experience, she introduces a bold new chapter for the century-old institution.

Her career began in Treasury & Money Markets at Prime Merchant Bank in 1991. She then spent over a decade as a Relationship Manager at Ecobank before joining Standard Chartered Bank in 2005. Rising through the ranks, she held key roles, heading Local Corporates, leading Commercial Banking across West Africa, and in 2021, became the first female Managing Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone.

Oni holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan, an MBA from Bangor University, and has completed leadership courses at Oxford and INSEAD. She’s also an active member of WIMBIZ and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

Her ascent to the helm of Union Bank goes beyond breaking the glass ceiling; it brings a wealth of experience, composure in turbulent times, and the promise of steady, strategic growth. For many young women in banking, Yetunde Oni’s leadership is a powerful reminder that resilience, expertise, and vision are reshaping the future of Nigerian finance.

Ireti Samuel-Ogbu

In September 2020, Ireti Samuel-Ogbu etched her name in Nigerian banking history by becoming the first female Managing Director and CEO of Citibank Nigeria, a transformative moment that underscored her international banking prowess and local impact.

Her journey is defined by global experience and strategic finesse. Prior to leading Citibank Nigeria, she served as the EMEA Head of Payments and Receivables within Treasury & Trade Solutions, a role she held in London, where she managed complex cross-border payment systems across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

A champion of diversity and mentorship, Samuel-Ogbu is the co-founder of the Sapphire Leadership Program for the MEA region and the Momentum Program in the UK, initiatives designed to elevate female leadership across banking. She also holds leadership roles as EMEA co-Chair for Citi’s Women’s Affinity Group.

Her influence extends beyond Citi’s walls: she currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors at Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), leveraging her three decades of banking experience to steer infrastructure financing across the continent.

Ireti Samuel-Ogbu represents a blend of global banking excellence, inclusive leadership, and mentorship. Under her guidance, Citibank Nigeria has not only deepened its institutional strength but also reaffirmed its role as an advocate for gender equality and inclusive leadership in the African finance sector.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe stands as a shining example of resilience, vision, and leadership in Nigeria’s banking industry. As the first female Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, she embodies the changing face of finance in a country where women are increasingly claiming space in boardrooms traditionally dominated by men. With over three decades of banking experience spanning operations, corporate banking, retail, and commercial banking, her journey reflects the value of steady growth, expertise, and bold decision-making.

Since assuming leadership in 2021, Onyeali-Ikpe has been instrumental in charting a new course for Fidelity Bank, setting ambitious growth targets and steering the bank towards becoming one of the leading Tier-1 financial institutions in Nigeria. Her focus on digital transformation, international expansion, and customer-centric solutions highlights her ability to blend innovation with traditional banking excellence. More importantly, her tenure has been defined by a culture of inclusivity and empowerment—qualities that inspire the next generation of women in finance.

Beyond her achievements in banking, Onyeali-Ikpe represents a broader narrative: the power of women redefining leadership in Africa’s financial sector. Her story isn’t just about banking metrics and balance sheets; it is about breaking barriers, fostering innovation, and proving that leadership knows no gender. In an era where finance continues to evolve, she remains a key voice and role model, demonstrating that Nigerian women are not only part of the conversation but are also shaping the future of the industry.

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