APWB, Others Push Financial Inclusion, Gender Equity for Global Competitiveness

Stakeholders across Nigeria’s financial sector are advocating for a stronger focus on inclusive financial systems, innovation-led growth, and gender equity, highlighting the increasing role of women in driving the country’s competitive edge in global finance.

This was the focus of the 2026 Annual Women’s Marquee Event of the Association of Professional Women Bankers (APWB), themed “Redefining Power: Women Shaping the Future of Finance.” The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and financial experts to examine how women can drive transformation across banking and financial services.

In a statement, APWB Chairperson Rafiat Onitiri described the gathering as “more than a dinner, but a declaration” of intent to move from conversation to action. She noted 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. 

Delivering a keynote perspective, Managing Director of GTBank, Miriam Olusanya, broadened the conversation on disruption, noting that it goes 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 is about expanding systems to serve more people efficiently and transparently.

“Disruption is about access, power, and ultimately people,” she said, adding that women must be seen not just as participants but as “agents of inclusion and engines of scale.”

Executive Director at Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc, Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo 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. 

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, including increased leadership representation and structured mentorship pathways.

 Industry leaders, including Kofo Akinkugbe of SecureID, reinforced the idea that women are not just participants but architects of the financial ecosystem.