From National ICAN Prize Winner to Leading Financial Innovator: Adetola Onabanjo on Leading with Integrity

By Rebecca Ejifom
As a national prize winner of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Adetola Onabanjo has long exemplified the highest standards of excellence in finance. Today, as a finance leader redefining systems of transparency and inclusion, she brings that same discipline and ethical clarity to every organization she serves.

In an era where finance is being redefined by transparency, ethics, and digital innovation, Adetola Onabanjo stands at the forefront of a new generation of financial leaders reshaping how institutions across Africa and beyond understand value, trust, and growth.

A Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC)and a certified Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Adetola embodies the rare balance between technical mastery, strategic foresight, and moral clarity. Her career spanning audit, consulting, fintech, and investment banking, reflects the evolution of Africa’s financial landscape, where the goals of inclusion and innovation now stand alongside accountability and governance.

Adetola’s dual recognition by ICAN and IMC underscores her professional distinction and the breadth of her influence. As a Member of ICAN the statutory body established by Act of Parliament in 1965 and a founding member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) she belongs to a select group of professionals recognized for exceptional competence and integrity in accounting and financial management.

Her Fellowship with the Institute of Management Consultants further acknowledges her sustained excellence in corporate strategy and financial advisory. Together, these credentials highlight her technical depth and her leadership in shaping ethical business practices across both private and public sector institutions.

Throughout her career, Adetola has led initiatives that integrate data-driven decision-making with sound governance principles. Her work focuses on financial restructuring, strategic investment analysis, and operational transparency, ensuring that organizations not only meet reporting standards but also unlock long-term value through intelligent, ethical management.

She is known for implementing frameworks that align financial operations with strategic objectives, strengthen internal controls, and promote accountability. “The strength of a nation’s economy,” she notes, “depends not only on innovation but on the integrity of its financial system.”

At Bankly, a Nigerian fintech company expanding financial access across informal economies, Adetola led the design of the company’s financial architecture, supporting a nationwide agent network that now serves millions. Her approach combines precision with empathy, reinforcing the idea that finance must work for people not just balance sheets.

Adetola’s impact extends beyond Nigeria’s borders. As an Investment Banker at Bank of America, she advises on Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) across diverse sectors, helping companies navigate complex transactions, assess strategic opportunities, and build long-term value through disciplined execution.

Her global experience complements her earlier leadership in fintech and consulting, giving her a unique perspective on how financial systems, whether in emerging or developed marketscan balance innovation with integrity. Her insights continue to influence research and policy discussions on corporate governance, ESG finance, and ethical data management.

Adetola’s vision extends beyond compliance and profitability. She champions finance as a tool for empowerment, arguing that responsible capital allocation can transform communities and reduce inequality. Her advocacy for financial literacy and gender inclusion has inspired a new generation of women to pursue leadership roles in finance, investment, and economic policy.

Through her active involvement with the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), she continues to mentor young professionals and promote representation within the industry. Her message remains consistent: diversity and integrity are not symbolic they are strategic imperatives for sustainable growth.

Her work aligns with global development priorities, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By amplifying women’s participation in financial decision-making and promoting ethical leadership, she contributes to a more inclusive and resilient global economy.

In a rapidly evolving economy, Adetola Onabanjo represents a paradigm shift in financial leadership. Her approach anchored in ethics, transparency, and inclusion redefines success as the creation of systems that empower people and protect value simultaneously.

Through her work, mentorship, and advocacy, she continues to bridge Africa’s financial future with global best practices, demonstrating that true leadership is measured not only by profit but by the integrity of the processes that create it.

As one of Africa’s most forward-looking finance professionals, Adetola Onabanjo stands as proof that innovation and ethics can and must coexist. Her philosophy is clear: transparency builds trust, and trust builds everything else.