Lagos: Mrs Rafiat Onitiri, Chairman of the Association of Professional Women Bankers (APWB), has urged women in the financial sector to embrace innovation and position themselves as drivers of transformation in an evolving global economy. Onitiri made the call at the APWB Annual Women’s Marquee Event in Lagos, themed ‘Redefining Power: Women Shaping the Future of Finance’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Onitiri emphasized that the global economy is experiencing significant disruption due to technological advancements, particularly Artificial Intelligence and the rise of fintechs reshaping traditional banking models. She noted that this changing landscape presents opportunities for women to turn challenges into impactful leadership roles within the sector. Onitiri reiterated APWB’s commitment to building capacity, fostering networks, and preparing women for leadership positions in banking and finance.
The event aimed to celebrate outstanding women and institutions promoting financial inclusion and women’s empowerment. Onitiri encouraged women to transition from conversations to actionable steps, taking ownership of opportunities for growth and leadership.
The President of the Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, highlighted the crucial role women play in the future of finance in Nigeria. He called for greater inclusion of women in leadership roles to drive growth in the financial sector. Olanrewaju emphasized that women’s empowerment must lead to increased leadership representation, equal opportunities, and structured mentorship, which are essential for building a resilient and globally competitive financial system.
Mrs Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of GTBank and Chairman of the event, discussed financial disruption in Nigeria as extending beyond technology to include access, inclusion, and trust that reshape economic participation. In her keynote address, Olusanya underscored women as key drivers of innovation, financial inclusion, SME growth, and human-centered finance. She stated that sustainable progress relies on strong leadership, stable institutions, and the removal of gender and access barriers to ensure the benefits of disruption are widely shared.
Panelists at the event stressed the urgent need to move beyond theoretical discussions and address structural and unconscious biases that limit women’s access to finance, leadership, and investment opportunities. They identified four major barriers: awareness, accessibility, availability, and affordability. The panelists noted that many women remain excluded due to limited knowledge of financial products, difficulty in accessing funding, and high interest rates.
They also highlighted the importance of designing financial solutions that reflect women’s real-life experiences, particularly those in informal and grassroots economies. Stronger representation of women across all levels of leadership and critical business functions was called for, as exclusion at mid and senior levels limits advancement to top roles. The role of technology and inclusive infrastructure in scaling financial inclusion was acknowledged, with a caution that solutions must be tailored to diverse female user needs.
The panelists encouraged female bankers to actively pursue leadership roles, speak up in decision-making spaces, and build confidence backed by preparation and expertise.