The newly elected Chairperson of the Association of Professional Women Bankers, Rafiat Onitiri, has pledged to strengthen women’s empowerment and promote transparency, inclusion, and strategic impact during her tenure.
Onitiri made the pledge during her acceptance speech at the association’s election and inauguration ceremony held recently in Lagos, where she officially succeeded Funke Ladimeji as Chairperson.
In her inaugural address, themed “Deepening the Legacy, Leading with Transparency, Inclusion and Strategic Impact,” she reaffirmed her commitment to service-driven leadership anchored on accountability, empowerment, and collaboration.
She praised her predecessor, Mrs. Ladimeji, for her visionary leadership, pledging to “deepen the tracks rather than reinvent the wheel.”
Leadership, for me, is not about position; it is about service, stewardship, and legacy,” she said.
Outlining her six-point strategic agenda, Onitiri said the association would prioritise transparency in governance through quarterly performance reports, open leadership structures, and a performance scorecard for all officers.
To boost member engagement, she said APWB would establish regional hubs across all geopolitical zones and introduce a mentorship initiative tagged “One Banker, One Sister” to ensure that no member is left behind.
Her youth empowerment plan includes the creation of Young Women in Banking and the Emerging Female Banker Fellowship to groom young professionals for leadership through mentorship, training, and innovation.
She also unveiled Bank Her Future, a financial literacy campaign targeted at widows and market women, and announced an annual APWB Impact Day dedicated to community service and women’s empowerment.
To ensure financial sustainability, Onitiri revealed plans to diversify APWB’s income through premium events, corporate partnerships, and training programmes, as well as the introduction of the Women in Banking Summit and Women Who Move Money Awards to celebrate excellence in the industry.
“With transparency, inclusion, and purpose, we will build an APWB that thrives beyond individuals and administrations. Together, we will lead, we will legacy, and we will rise,” she declared.
Other newly sworn-in officers include Bimpe Ogunleye, first Vice Chairperson, Temitope Dalley, second Vice Chairperson, Kikanwa Akpenyi, Honourary Secretary, and others .
In her farewell address, immediate past Chairperson, Funke Ladimeji, expressed appreciation to members, partners, and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria leadership for their support, noting her administration’s achievements, including partnerships with J.P. Morgan, the International Chamber of Commerce, and IDC, as well as the launch of the Mentoring for Schools Programme for girls in secondary schools.
The President and Chairman of Council, CIBN, Deji Olanrewaju, who attended the ceremony alongside other officials, commended APWB for its contributions to advancing women in the banking and financial services sector.
