By Prosper Mene
Lagos, Nigeria – October 22, 2025
Rafiat Onitiri, a seasoned banking executive with a formidable track record, has taken the reins as Chairperson of the Association of Professional Women Bankers (APWB), vowing to redefine the landscape for women in Nigeria’s financial sector.
Her election, announced at a vibrant ceremony in Lagos, marks a significant transition as she succeeds Funke Ladimeji, whose tenure elevated the association’s profile through robust mentorship and advocacy. Onitiri’s acceptance speech, charged with resolve, outlined an ambitious agenda centered on empowering women, fostering transparency, and driving strategic initiatives to reshape an industry where gender parity remains elusive.
Onitiri’s vision, articulated before a diverse audience of banking professionals, regulators, and stakeholders, emphasized dismantling systemic barriers that hinder women’s advancement. “Our mission transcends professional development; it’s about rewriting the narrative for women in finance,” she declared.
The APWB, established in 1983 as the women’s wing of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has long championed skill-building and networking. Yet, Onitiri’s leadership signals a pivot toward bolder interventions, leveraging digital platforms, influencing policy, and forging cross-sector partnerships to amplify impact. Her pledge to prioritize inclusion resonates in a sector where women, despite forming nearly half the workforce, occupy only 25% of senior roles, according to recent industry data.
Her credentials lend weight to her promises. With over 20 years in banking, Onitiri has navigated complex roles, including Head of Commercial Banking at Polaris Bank and founder of Athrol Empowerment Solutions Limited, a firm dedicated to financial access for underserved women.
Her academic portfolio, spanning a Master’s in Business Administration (Chartered Bankers) from Bangor University, a Master’s in Marketing Management from Lagos State University, and advanced training from Lagos Business School, equips her to bridge practice and policy. As a Fellow of the Executive Resource Programme (FERP) and the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA), and a member of the CIBN Governing Council, Onitiri’s expertise in credit analysis and sustainable finance positions her to tackle the sector’s evolving challenges, from fintech disruptions to climate-focused investments.
Under Funke Ladimeji’s leadership, the APWB gained momentum through initiatives like the Female Bankers Connect series and high-impact symposia that mentored hundreds and forged corporate alliances. Onitiri inherits this legacy but faces a complex landscape: Nigeria’s banking sector is at a crossroads, grappling with economic volatility, regulatory shifts, and the rise of digital finance.
Her strategy includes expanding digital literacy programs to equip women for tech-driven roles, advocating for gender-sensitive policies at regulatory levels, and strengthening mentorship pipelines to nurture the next generation of female leaders. “Transparency and inclusion aren’t buzzwords; they’re the bedrock of sustainable progress,” she emphasized, hinting at plans for greater accountability in APWB’s operations and partnerships.
The broader effect of Onitiri’s leadership are already stirring excitement. Industry voices, like APWB Treasurer Chinwe Egwim, predict her focus on strategic impact will ripple beyond banking, influencing Nigeria’s economic fabric. As Managing Director of FIC Professional Network PLC, Onitiri is poised to integrate her corporate influence with her APWB role, driving initiatives like leadership summits and policy roundtables. The association’s upcoming calendar, detailed at apwborg.com, promises a dynamic mix of workshops and advocacy campaigns. For women in Nigeria’s financial sector, Onitiri’s rise is a clarion call: The future is not just inclusive, it’s unapologetically female-led.
