APWB and Industry Leaders Advocate for Inclusive Finance and Gender Equity
Stakeholders in Nigeria's financial sector have issued a strong call for a decisive shift toward inclusive systems, innovation-driven growth, and gender equity, as women increasingly take on central roles in shaping the future of finance. This was the core focus of the 2026 Annual Women's Marquee Event organized by the Association of Professional Women Bankers (APWB), themed 'Redefining Power: Women Shaping the Future of Finance'. The gathering brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and financial experts to explore strategies for women to drive transformation across banking and financial services.
From Conversation to Action: A Declaration of Intent
APWB Chairperson, Rafiat Onitiri, described the event as "more than a dinner, but a declaration" of intent to move from mere discussion to tangible action. She highlighted that power in finance is increasingly shifting toward those who leverage technology, build trust, and create value-driven systems, areas where women must play a leading role. Onitiri emphasized that while progress has been made, women remain underrepresented, accounting for roughly 38 to 40 percent of leadership positions in the sector. She stressed the need for equity rather than mere equality, calling for fairness in opportunities, representation, and influence.
"Women are redefining power across industries, not just in finance," she stated, adding that mentorship, executive coaching, and increased board participation are critical to amplifying women's voices in decision-making spaces.
Broadening the Disruption Conversation
In a keynote address, Managing Director of GTBank, Miriam Olusanya, broadened the conversation on disruption, noting that it extends beyond technology to encompass access, trust, and people. She described Nigeria as "one of the most dynamic laboratories for financial disruption," stressing that true transformation involves expanding systems to serve more people efficiently and transparently.
"Disruption is about access, power and ultimately people," she said, adding that women must be viewed not just as participants but as "agents of inclusion and engines of scale." Olusanya further noted that financial inclusion remains deeply gendered, with women more likely to be excluded from formal systems, reinforcing the urgency of targeted solutions.
Financial Inclusion: Beyond Access to Usage
Financial inclusion emerged as a central theme, with speakers agreeing that access alone is no longer sufficient. Experts argued that inclusion must translate into usage, trust, and real economic value, particularly for women in underserved and informal sectors. Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, Executive Director at Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc, highlighted the need for intentional system design that reflects how women live and transact.
She stressed that financial products and payment systems must align with real-life use cases such as micro-trade and community savings. "Inclusion must be embedded into infrastructure and product development, not treated as an afterthought," she noted, adding that closing the gender gap requires rethinking onboarding processes, strengthening agent networks, and addressing structural barriers.
Identifying Barriers and Strategic Imperatives
Participants identified key challenges limiting women's financial participation, including:
- Limited awareness and accessibility constraints
- Affordability issues and systemic biases
- Internal barriers like "imposter syndrome" and lack of visibility
The President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, described women's empowerment as a "strategic imperative" for building a resilient and globally competitive financial system. He called for measurable outcomes, such as increased leadership representation and structured mentorship pathways.
Innovation as a Driver of Inclusion
Innovation was also highlighted as a critical driver of inclusion. Speakers noted that the rise of fintechs, artificial intelligence, and digital banking presents an opportunity to build systems that are both efficient and inclusive, provided women are actively involved in designing them. Industry leaders, including Kofo Akinkugbe of SecureID, reinforced the idea that women are not just participants but architects of the financial ecosystem.
She urged institutions to rethink who financial systems are built for, noting that inclusive design would be key to reducing poverty and expanding economic participation. The consensus at the event was clear: financial inclusion, innovation, and gender equity are deeply interconnected. As women gain greater representation both as users and leaders, the financial system stands to become more responsive, resilient, and impactful for all.
