The Nigerian financial industry has witnessed a remarkable transformation with the rise of these ten influential women who have reshaped the leadership landscape in banking through their exceptional skills and remarkable achievements. From breaking gender barriers to driving innovation and fostering financial inclusion.
These redesignations have changed Nigerian banks from mostly men-dominated into a growing trend where women now occupy up to 35% of the top leadership positions in the banking sector.
Looking ahead, it is clear that these strong women will continue to drive progress, challenge conventions, and forge a path toward a financial sector in Nigeria that is inclusive, vibrant, and constantly evolving.
Below is a list of the top 10 female bank CEOs in Nigeria's financial sector, along with their experience, qualifications, and achievements.
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Ireti Samuel-Ogbu - MD/CEO for Citibank Nigeria
Before becoming the MD/CEO of Citibank Nigeria Limited in September 2020, Ireti Samuel-Ogbu served as the director of Citi Bank in the UK. Her appointment marked her as the first female CEO of the bank. With a career spanning 16 years in the Citi Bank Group, she has gained extensive experience in different countries and roles, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Nigeria, and South Africa.
- Education: BA Accounting at Middlesex University, MBA University of Bradford
- Career: Citibank
- Position: CEO/MD Citibank Nigeria
- LinkedIn Profile: Click here
Bolaji Agbede - CEO of Access Holdings
Ms. Agbede is a versatile professional with over 27 years’ experience in Human Resources management, customer relationship management and banking operations. Her appointment follows the unfortunate death of Herbert Wigwe, the former Group CEO of Access Holdings Plc.
She commenced her professional career in Guaranty Trust Bank as relationship Manager and Vault Custodian before joining Access Bank in 2003 as an Assistant General Manager and was responsible for managing the Bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies. She became the Head of HR of Access Bank in 2010 where she oversee the human capital development of the Group.
- Education: BSc Mathematics and Statistics at UNILAG, MBA atCranfield University
- Career: Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank
- Position: CEO/MD Access Holding Plc
- LinkedIn Profile: Click here
Olusanya Miriam - Managing Director of GTBank
Olusanya began her professional career at GTbank, where she has spent 26 years. She joined the Bank as an Executive Trainee in 1998, rose through the ranks, and has garnered banking experience that cuts across Asset and Liability Management, Financial Markets, Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, Investor Relations, and Transaction Services.
- Education: B.Pharm at University of Ibadan and MBA at University of Liverpool
- Career: Guaranty Trust Bank
- Position: Managing Director Guaranty Trust Bank
- LinkedIn Profile: Click here
Tomi Somefun - Managing Director/CEO of Unity Bank
After working for KPMG and Arthur Andersen (now KPMG), Tomi joined the banking industry where she has accumulated 26 years of experience with depth of experience in the Financial and Banking sector. She had a distinguished career with UBA group where she led 2 major subsidiaries of UBA as MD/CEO including a start-up company, UBA Pensions Custodian where she was pioneer Managing Director.
In August 2015, she was appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank Plc. Prior to her appointment as Managing Director; she served as the Executive Director overseeing the Lagos and South-West Business Directorates, the Financial Institution Division and Treasury Department of the Bank.
- Education: B.ED at University of Ibadan
- Career: KPMG, UBA, Unity Bank
- Position: MD/CEO at Unity Bank
- LinkedIn Profile: Click here
Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe - Managing Director of Fidelity Bank
Nneka is a consummate professional with over 30 years’ experience across various banks including Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, and Citizens International Bank Limited, where she held several management positions in Legal, Treasury, Investment Banking, Retail/Commercial Banking, Corporate Banki
She has been an integral part of the transformation team at Fidelity Bank in the last six years. Initially serving as the Executive Director for Lagos and the South West region, she managed the bank's operations across six states in that area. Subsequently, on January 1, 2021, she took on the position of Managing Director/CEO.
- Education: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at University of Nigeria, Nsukaa, MSC at Kings College London
- Career: Shell, Citizens International Bank Limited, Zenith Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Enterprise Bank Ltd, and Fidelity Bank
- Position: MD/CEO at Fidelity Bank
- LinkedIn Profile: Click here
Adaora Umeoji - Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank
Adaora stands to be the most academically awarded bank CEO in Nigeria. She has three bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees, and a doctorate degree.
Prior to her appointment as CEO, Dr. Umeoji had been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since 2016 and has close to thirty (30) years of cognate banking experience of which twenty-six (26) years have been with Zenith Bank.
In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honored Dr. Umeoji with Officer of the Order of the Niger, as a recognition of her contributions to nation building. She is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC).
- Education: BSc in sociology at University of jos, Accounting , Law degree at Baze University, Abuja. She also obtained Master of laws degree, MBA from University of Calabar, doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.
- Career: Zenith Bank
- Position: MD/CEO at Zenith Bank
- LinkedIn Profile: No Profile
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Kafilat Araoye- Managing Director Lotus Bank
Kafilat holds a first degree in History from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (1985), and an M.Sc. in Industrial Relations & Personnel Management from the University of Lagos (1987), graduating as the best student in her class.
She started her career in 1988 at National Oil and Chemicals Marketing Company Plc (now Conoil Nigeria Plc). She moved in 1990 to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, as the pioneer head of Human Resources.
Having put over 25 years into banking, Kafilat has expertise in virtually all areas of core banking, with emphasis on International and Domestic Operations, Payments, General Management, Business Development, Risk Management, Human Resources and Strategy, She was appointed as the MD Designate for LOTUS Bank then in formation.
- Education: BA History at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Master's Degree in Relations and Personnel Management
- Career: Conoil Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, XYZ Outsourcing and Management Consulting Limited, Loftus Bank
- Position: MD/CEO at Loftus Bank
- LinkedIn Profile: Click here
Halima Buba - CEO/MD Suntrust Bank
Halima is currently the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited. A seasoned Banker with over 22 years of cognate experience obtained from working in Allstates Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Inland Bank Plc, Oceanic Bank Plc and Ecobank Nigeria Limited. She is one of the few women to have attained that height as an MD in the industry.
Prior to her appointment to Sun Trust Bank Ltd as MD/CEO, Halima is a Co-founder and former Executive Director in Taj Consortium, an organisation of young dynamic technocrats and financial advisory experts.
- Education: BSc. Business Administration at University of Maiduguri, MBA at University of Maiduguri
- Career: Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Inland Bank Nigeria, EcoBank, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), XYZ Outsourcing and Management Consulting Limited, Loftus Bank
- Position: MD/CEO at Suntrust Bank
- LinkedIn Profile: Click here
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Yemisi Edun - Managing Director of FCMB
Yemisi Edun was appointed Managing Director of the First City Monument Bank following CBN approval on May 1, 2021.
She began her career with Akintola Williams Deloitte (member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu) in 1987 with a focus on corporate finance activities as well as audits of banks and other financial institutions. She joined FCMB in the year 2000 as Divisional Head of Internal Audit and Control before assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer of the Bank.
- Education: BSC in Chemistry at Obafemi Awolowo University, Master's Degree at University of Liverpool
- Career: Akintola Williams Deloitte, First Monument Bank Limited (FCMB)
- Position: MD/CEO at FCMB
- LinkedIn Profile: Click here
Yetunde Oni - Managing Director of Union Bank
Yetunde B. Oni is a highly accomplished financial services leader with a successful career spanning over 30 years. She has held senior positions in international and local banks, focusing on emerging markets. In January 2024, Yetunde was appointed by CBN as the Managing Director/CEO of Union Bank of Nigeria.
Before joining Union Bank, Yetunde started her career at Prime Merchant Bank in the Treasury & Money Markets Group and joined Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited as the pioneer head of commercial clients in September 2014.
- Education: BSc. Economy at University of Ibadan, MBA at Bangor University
- Career: EcoBank, Standard Chartered Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria
- Position: MD/CEO at Union Bank
- LinkedIn Profile: Click here
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