The Association of Professional Women Bankers (APWB) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing national development and empowering women within the banking sector.
This was disclosed by Funke Ladimeji, Chairperson of APWB, during the Association’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held virtually in Lagos, where she described 2024 as a year of transformation and resilience.
She acknowledged the global and domestic headwinds including inflation, geopolitical instability, and climate-related disruptions but emphasised that APWB had continued to thrive with relevance and purpose.
“In an environment marked by economic uncertainty, APWB remained steadfast in its mission. We have stayed focused, resilient, and innovative, ensuring that the voices of professional women bankers are amplified and supported,” Ladimeji said.
She cited the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation mandate as a defining policy shift, noting its impact on the banking landscape and APWB’s intention to help members navigate the changes through capacity-building and mentorship initiatives.
In her final AGM address as Chairperson, Ladimeji expressed appreciation to the Executive committee, mentors, sponsors, and partners, and urged members to continue engaging with the Association’s vision.
“It has been a privilege to serve during such a transformative period. I encourage our members to remain engaged and support the next leadership team as we continue building a legacy of inclusion, excellence, and national impact”, she noted.
Kehinde Olomojobi, treasurer, APWB, presented the financial report of the Association, revealing total revenue of ₦55.9 million for 2024, an almost tenfold improvement in surplus over the previous year.
Sponsorships contributed ₦45.9 million, while expenses were tightly managed under a disciplined ‘only spend what we have’ policy.
“Through timely member contributions and disciplined governance, we closed the year with a surplus of ₦18.8 million and improved cash balances of ₦11.9 million,” she stated.
APWB’s investment portfolio, focused on Nigeria’s banking, insurance, and energy sectors, recorded a 109% appreciation demonstrating the association’s commitment to value-driven, inflation-beating investment strategies that deliver long-term value to its members.
Looking forward, APWB outlined ambitious plans to deepen its mentoring architecture and scale its ‘Catch Them Young’ initiative, which introduces students to financial literacy and career opportunities in banking.
The Association will also champion institutional reforms to enhance women’s leadership access within the sector and plans to publish a report on the lived experiences of female bankers in Nigeria.
