Dare Abiodun Bags Global Recognition Award for Contributions to Financial Sector

By Ugo Aliogo

The finance community is celebrating Nigerian-born finance professional Dare Abiodun, who has been named a recipient of the 2025 Global Recognition Award for his exceptional leadership, groundbreaking research, and innovative contributions to the industry.

With this award, he joins a stellar list of individuals and corporate bodies from around the world who have received the honour.
Abiodun’s selection followed a rigorous vetting process that underscored the award’s reputation for recognising only those whose achievements truly stand out on the world stage.

His candidacy was assessed through the Rasch model framework, a globally respected evaluation tool that measures both quantitative performance and qualitative impact. Abiodun achieved the maximum score of five points in key categories such as ethical decision-making, vision implementation, technological advancement, and community impact, a rare feat that highlighted both the breadth and depth of his contributions.

At a major national bank, Abiodun spearheaded initiatives that combined strategic vision with hands-on execution. His vendor cost-savings program alone delivered $12.7 million in annual savings, while his development of enterprise-wide dashboards provided executives with unprecedented financial transparency. Industry analysts describe these accomplishments as emblematic of a new wave of finance leadership that blends data-driven innovation with sustainable operational strategies.

Equally impressive are his contributions to financial innovation. Abiodun introduced scenario-based forecasting models using Python and Excel, improving risk assessment accuracy by 38 percent. At an asset management firm overseeing $50 billion in portfolios, he designed proprietary market scans and automation tools that enhanced asset allocation decisions and streamlined securitized product reporting, cutting turnaround time by 20 percent. These results illustrate not only technical mastery but also a keen ability to reshape institutional finance practices.

What set Abiodun apart in the Global Recognition Award’s vetting process was not just his professional success but his profound community impact. He co-founded Pas Entrepreneur Limited, a pioneering educational initiative that equips African children with financial literacy, creativity, and technology skills—including artificial intelligence—at an early age. The program is widely regarded as a model for integrating economic and digital preparedness into early education.

Abiodun’s mentorship efforts have also been transformative. He has guided more than 20 young finance and analytics professionals, many of whom have advanced into leadership roles. At his bank, he introduced structured mentorship frameworks that boosted team performance while fostering a culture of growth and collaboration. Judges for the award cited this “multiplier effect” as a critical factor in his recognition, emphasizing that true leadership lies in enabling others to succeed.

In announcing his selection, the Global Recognition Awards committee stated that Abiodun “embodies the multidimensional excellence that defines this honour.” By excelling in finance, research, mentorship, and social responsibility, Abiodun was recognised not only for past achievements but for his ongoing potential to reshape the future of the industry.

“Dare Abiodun demonstrates that finance is not merely about numbers,” the committee added. “It is about vision, ethics, and a responsibility to use knowledge as a force for broader societal good.”

The organisers described Abiodun as “a finance professional specializing in data analytics, financial strategy, and business process optimisation”. It added that “Abiodun led cost-saving initiatives and developed dashboards to improve financial transparency for executive leadership.

Abiodun also implemented scenario-based forecasting models to enhance risk assessment and created automation tools that improved asset allocation and reporting efficiency. In addition to professional responsibilities, Abiodun co-founded an educational initiative focused on financial literacy and technology for children in Africa and has mentored early-career professionals in finance and analytics.”

Abiodun’s humanitarian vision extends into broader societal challenges. His advocacy for child sexual abuse prevention has reached more than 5,000 individuals, while his scholarship fundraising with the Ladies of Virtue Foundation secured $20,000 to support underprivileged girls. The award committee praised these initiatives as examples of how financial expertise, when guided by compassion, can drive sustainable solutions to pressing social issues.