Get ready to be inspired! Nigeria is brimming with incredible women who are leading the charge in various industries. From finance to tech, these trailblazers are not only achieving personal success but also paving the way for future generations. This article shines a spotlight on some of the most outstanding female professionals in Nigeria, sharing their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.
Quick Look: What You’ll Discover
- Inspirational stories of Nigerian women in leadership roles.
- Challenges they faced and how they overcame them.
- Advice for aspiring female professionals in Nigeria.
- Insights into the future of various industries from a female perspective.
Vivian Okolo: Bridging Gaps at Unified Payments
Vivian Okolo, the Director of Corporate Services at Unified Payments Plc, has been with the company for 25 years. With a background in Computer Science and Engineering, she’s a problem-solving whiz. Vivian’s journey is one of constant growth, from leading the Technical Helpdesk to heading Merchant Services and beyond. She believes in breaking stereotypes and proving that women can excel in any field.
Key Takeaway:
“Never allow gender stereotypes define your path. Believe in your capabilities and the ability to achieve anything you set your mind on.”
Titilayo Olubiyi: Fostering Client Relationships
Titilayo Olubiyi, Director of Financial Institutions at Unified Payments Plc, credits her strict upbringing for her success. With 30 years of experience in various multinationals, she emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills in building strong client relationships. Titilayo’s journey includes awards from Nokia and a passion for mentoring upcoming managers.
Words of Wisdom:
“Rather than succumb in the face of challenges, there is great need for resilience and perseverance. Keep your eyes on your set goals, prioritize self–care, develop yourselves and maintain a healthy work-life balance.”
Rhenua Ifetayo-Oluwole: Marketing Magic at OPay
Rhenua Ifetayo-Oluwole, Marketing Manager at OPay, sees marketing as an art. She’s passionate about bringing creative ideas to life and witnessing the public’s response. With experience across various industries and continents, Rhenua emphasizes the importance of speaking up and owning your personality.
Rhenua’s Advice:
“Speak up. Own your story. Be willing to learn. Own your pace. Process things. Always look at situations circumspectly. Don’t be self-limiting. Have a global mindset.”
Ogechi Altraide: Leading Hope PSB to New Heights
Ogechi Altraide, CEO of Hope Payment Service Bank, brings over two decades of banking experience to the table. Her career includes stints at Ecobank, Diamond Bank, and UBA. Ogechi is passionate about making banking more accessible and impactful, especially in underserved communities. She emphasizes innovation, efficiency, and customer-centric growth.
Ogechi’s Goals:
- Ensuring banking services reach the unbanked and underbanked.
- Enhancing digital payment solutions.
- Positioning Hope PSB as a leader in digital banking.
Ochanya Dan-Ugo: Safeguarding Unified Payments
Ochanya Dan-Ugo, Director/Group Chief Risk Officer at Unified Payments Plc, is responsible for protecting the organization from potential threats. With a background in law enforcement and a passion for risk management, she ensures the company’s systems remain resilient and agile. Ochanya emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and collaboration.
Ochanya’s Motivation:
“My motivation stems from knowing that my work not only protects organizations but also builds trust and enables progress.”
Isoken Aigbomian: Driving Growth at Moniepoint Inc
Isoken Aigbomian, Regional Manager at Moniepoint Inc, manages multiple regions and drives growth. With a deep understanding of the fintech industry, she has successfully executed sales campaigns and built strategic partnerships. Isoken emphasizes the importance of data-driven results and building a strong professional network.
Isoken’s Advice:
“Build your capabilities, hone your skills, and be fiercely ambitious. Don’t be afraid to showcase your successes.”
Gbeminiyi Shoda: Governance Solutions at StructureHQ
Gbeminiyi Shoda, C.E.O of StructureHQ, is a legal expert specializing in corporate governance and legal transaction structure. She founded StructureHQ to provide businesses with tailored strategies to thrive in Nigeria’s competitive environment. Gbeminiyi emphasizes the importance of resilience and staying true to your values.
Gbeminiyi’s Takeaway:
“As a woman particularly in the early stages of my career, I faced both ageism and gender bias…Overcoming these barriers wasn’t just about working hard, it was about staying focused and never compromising on my values.”
Fiyinfoluwa Olorunsola: Payment Innovation at Hydrogen Payment Services
Fiyinfoluwa Olorunsola, Business Head at Hydrogen Payment Services, is passionate about solving problems and driving innovation in the payments landscape. With a background in banking and a passion for financial systems, she leads the company in building scalable and secure solutions. Fiyinfoluwa emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation and customer-centric solutions.
Fiyinfoluwa’s Vision:
“Our vision is to be the world’s most respected African payment services network, redefining payment switching and processing…”
Esther Adino: Retail & Digital Banking at Nova Bank
Esther Adino, Group Head of Retail & Digital Banking at Nova Bank, brings over two decades of banking experience to her role. She’s responsible for product development, driving digital banking, and shaping customer experience. Esther emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals and committing to lifelong learning.
Esther’s Takeaway:
“Believe in Yourself! Set clear career and life goals, outline actionable steps to achieve them and commit to the process.”
Ebere Wabara: HR Leadership at NLNG
Ebere Wabara, HR Lead on MSC 1 at NLNG, is passionate about creating safe workplaces where employees can thrive. With a background in Computer Science and Human Resource Management, she focuses on leadership development and organizational strategy. Ebere emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and mentorship.
Ebere’s Advice:
“Believe in yourselves…be ready to learn, relearn and keep upskilling to sharpen your skills while also looking for mentors…”
Moyosore Odeniyi: Risk Management at CapitalSage Holdings
Moyosore Odeniyi, Group Head of Business Risk, Internal Control & Audit at CapitalSage Holdings, strengthens governance and optimizes risk management. She ensures the businesses are poised to mitigate their risks toward the achievement of various objectives. She emphasises that CapitalSage is committed to building world-class businesses that can compete on a global scale and that requires a solid framework of trust.
Moyosore’s Goals:
She transforms risk and compliance and to create systems that are both efficient and forward-thinking, and also wants to help more professionals especially women, rise to leadership roles in risk and compliance and innovation, and strategic leadership.
Andrea Cameron-Cole: Mixta Africa
Andrea Cameron–Cole’s primary goal is to position the organization as an industry leader in delivering client-centric solutions. She also aims to expand their market reach and cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation within her team.
Andrea’s Viewpoint:
“Professionally, I have been fortunate to work with bosses who believed in my potential and guided me through critical decisions. People like DejI Alli and Tunji Osinulu have shown me that nothing is impossible.”
Alex Ohai: Human Resources and Leadership Consulting
Alex Ohai believes she aspires to contribute meaningfully to the development of human-centered leaders whether through coaching, mentoring or developing impactful leadership programs.
Alex’s advice:
Alex feels we should make sure the culture goes with education so that the girl child would not drop out of school.
Dr Folakemi Fadahunsi: Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Ltd (Shoprite)
While the owners of RSNL sought her out for the transformation of their company, the ultimate goal of Dr Folakemi Fadahunsi is to continue to be the leading retail supermarket in Nigeria, providing quality products to our customers in the most convenient way.
Dr Folakemi’s Take:
As female professionals, we must continue to strive to put in our best efforts despite the challenges we face and we must keep our eyes fixed on the goals that we want to achieve!
Chinaza Nduka-Dike: Moniepoint Inc
Chinaza Nduka-Dike has been pivotal in steering the organisation’s human resources trajectory at Moniepoint Inc, and her responsibilities encompass the strategic management of human capital, ensuring all people-related initiatives are in harmony with the financial institution’s business objectives, while simultaneously nurturing a culture of both excellence and inclusivity.
The Aim:
Chinaza has the great joy in seeing people thrive and achieve their full potential
Dr Idiat Folorunsho: Bank Of Agriculture
Dr IdiatFolorunsho believes in transforming the narrative by stopping the mingling of culture with education, because education transforms lives, an educated society is an informed society, and education is light, it brightens your way to meaningful living!
Dr Idiat’s Words for you:
Aspiring female professionals should be disciplined, humble, principled, hardworking and upright, so as to always be able to overcome any obstacle on their way and turn it into positivity.