Every year on 8 March, the world marks International Women's Day (IWD) when the achievements of women are recognized and celebrated.
As part of the global 2018 celebrations, we are pleased to present five women leaders who have made pioneering contributions in advancing financial literacy in Nigeria.
To #PressforProgress means that we also recognize that there is a gender gap in accessing and using financial services. That gap can be closed by ensuring that women improve their financial literacy.
We therefore applaud these five women for the concrete and meaningful difference they have made or are making to the lives of women and girls in Nigeria.
Hajiya Umar Dutse
Director, Consumer Protection Department (CPD)
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
The CPD commenced operations in 2010 when it was known as the Consumer and Financial Protection Office (CFPO) of the CBN. Under the dynamic leadership of its pioneer Director, Hajiya Umar Dutse, the CPD has recorded significant milestones. These include the introduction of the National Financial Literacy Framework; the publication of the results of the first-ever baseline survey on financial literacy in Nigeria; and the adoption of a rules-based system of financial consumer protection in the banking sector with coverage of specific providers and product types. She has also led the efforts to build the inter-agency partnerships that are crucial to infusing financial literacy into the basic school curriculum. (Photocredit: Vanguard News)
Dr. Adhiambo Odaga MFR
Philanthropist & Nonprofit Leader
Dr. Odaga served as the West Africa representative of the Ford Foundation from 2001 - 2012. In that capacity, she helped to channel philanthropic funding and support for policy and market reforms in Nigeria aimed at building the financial assets of those with low incomes through microfinance. In addition, she was instrumental to the launch in 2007 of the first demand-side advocacy for a national
framework on financial literacy in Nigeria.
Toyin Sanni
Group CEO, United Capital Plc
A distinguished corporate player with over 25 years experience in the fields of investment finance, asset management, securities trading and trust services, Toyin Sanni chairs the Capital Markets Literacy Committee, which is charged with increasing participation in capital market activities in Nigeria through education and learning about its role, functions, operations, institutions and instruments.
Sola Salako
CEO, Consumer Advocacy Foundation (CAFON)
Nimi Akinkugbe
CEO, Money Matters with Nimi
Visit www.filexawards.com for details about the Financial Literacy Excellence Awards