Financial Leaders at Lagos Marquee Event Urge Women to Drive Innovation Amid Rapid AI and Fintech Disruption

APWB and CIBN leaders meet in Lagos to discuss how women can lead through AI and fintech disruption. Learn about the four barriers to financial inclusion.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 8:27 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Strategic Imperatives for Women in an Evolving Global Economy

The Association of Professional Women Bankers hosted its annual Marquee Event in Lagos on Thursday night, centered on the theme of women shaping the future of finance. Rafiat Onitiri, the chairman of the APWB, opened the session by highlighting the profound disruptions currently facing the traditional banking sector. According to Onitiri, the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and the expansion of fintech competitors have created a new operational reality that requires immediate adaptation. She argued that these technological shifts should not be viewed as threats but as unique opportunities for women to take ownership of transformative leadership roles within their respective institutions.

Financial Disruption Beyond Technical Implementation

During her keynote address, Miriam Olusanya, the Managing Director of GTBank, provided a nuanced perspective on what disruption truly means within the Nigerian context. Olusanya posited that while technology is a significant factor, the more critical disruption lies in the fundamental restructuring of access, inclusion, and trust. She suggested that women are uniquely positioned to lead this transition because of their historical roles in driving SME growth and human centered finance. For sustainable progress to occur, she noted that the industry must prioritize stable institutional frameworks that actively remove gender based barriers, ensuring that the benefits of digital growth are not restricted to a small demographic.

Systemic Inclusion as a Catalyst for Economic Resilience

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria reinforced the call for structured gender parity as a requirement for global competitiveness. CIBN President Pius Olanrewaju stated that the future of finance in Nigeria depends heavily on the integration of women into senior decision making tiers. Olanrewaju observed that female leaders are already beginning to redefine the sector through a focus on ethical values and long term value creation. He emphasized that for these contributions to scale, there must be a shift from symbolic gestures to structured mentorship programs and equal opportunity policies that facilitate a clear path to executive representation.