The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, has restated the bank’s commitment to supporting women’s financial inclusion and leadership development as part of Nigeria’s wider plan for sustainable economic growth.
Speaking through the Director of Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion, Dr Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, at the 2025 Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) Women on Boards Mentoring Graduation in Lagos on Saturday, Mr Cardoso noted that increasing women’s participation in finance and governance remains a key driver of innovation and resilience in the economy.
WIMBoard, the board-readiness initiative of WIMBIZ, is designed to prepare women for corporate board roles by giving them access to mentorship, knowledge, and critical resources. The 2025 edition, which marked the sixth cohort, was themed “Make Impact, Build Legacy.” A total of 198 mentees graduated, guided by 118 mentors drawn from diverse sectors.
Mr Cardoso said the CBN’s interest in inclusivity goes beyond policy statements. He stressed that gender-balanced leadership is directly linked to building a strong financial system that supports Nigeria’s ambition of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
“Our success as a nation depends on how inclusive and forward-looking our institutions are. Impact represents the effect of our actions today, while legacy reflects what we leave for generations after us. When impact matches intent, both individuals and the country benefit. I commend WIMBIZ for inspiring and empowering women across public and private sectors,” he said.
The CBN Governor also highlighted progress in financial access. He pointed out that according to the latest Global Findex report, 77 per cent of Nigerian women now own bank accounts, which is only 4 per cent less than men. He explained that this improvement was made possible through various financial inclusion policies, partnerships, and reforms driven by the apex bank.
Cardoso said the CBN has launched a coalition of more than 90 institutions to expand women’s access to finance, support women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises, and strengthen female representation in leadership networks. He added that the bank also promotes work-life balance, mentorship, and diversity policies to ensure that more women can thrive at leadership levels.
“To the graduates, this is your moment. You have been prepared, mentored, and equipped to lead. Use your voice, your vision, and your values to shape the future. To the private sector and society at large, inclusion should not remain an aspiration but a standard practice. Nigeria cannot afford to leave half of its population behind,” Cardoso concluded.
The event also featured a keynote address from the Chief Mentor of the cohort and Managing Director of Exima Realty, Mr Hakeem Ogunniran. He urged the graduating women to reflect on their values and define the legacy they want to leave behind.
“When you begin your journey into leadership, ask yourself: what impact do you want to make? What values will guide your actions? How do you want to be remembered? These are questions every leader must answer,” he said.
The Chair of the WIMBIZ Board of Trustees, Mrs Bisi Adeyemi, encouraged the graduates to actively market themselves as board-ready professionals. She advised them not to shy away from promoting their availability to serve on boards. “Put out your board-ready CVs, and when you cannot take an opportunity, please recommend another woman,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the Chair of the 2025 WIMBoard Committee, Mrs Hilda Nkor, noted that this year’s graduation was the first to be held physically since the initiative began. She praised the participants for their commitment during the three-month programme.
“This graduating class of 198 women came into the programme with a willingness to learn and grow. You have attended sessions, asked difficult questions, and accepted feedback. Today, you leave better prepared, not just to sit in boardrooms but to transform them,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by corporate leaders, professionals, and mentors who came together to celebrate the achievements of the graduates and the continued effort to close Nigeria’s leadership gender gap.
