The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has disclosed that women now occupy 35% of director positions in Nigerian banks, reflecting significant progress in gender inclusivity within the financial sector. He made this statement while addressing a forum on women’s leadership in banking and finance.
Cardoso emphasized that financial institutions have made conscious efforts to promote gender diversity in leadership, noting that three out of the seven non-executive board members at the CBN are now women. This shift aligns with the broader push for inclusivity and gender-balanced representation in corporate governance.
The CBN Governor further highlighted several initiatives introduced to support women in finance, including leadership training programs, mentorship opportunities, and policies that encourage work-life balance. These efforts are designed to break long-standing barriers preventing women from ascending to top positions in the banking industry.
Despite the progress, Cardoso acknowledged that more work needs to be done to close the gender gap further. Industry leaders have been urged to continue implementing policies that promote equal opportunities and encourage women’s participation at the highest levels of decision-making in Nigeria’s financial sector.
Financial experts believe that increased representation of women in leadership roles leads to better corporate governance, improved financial performance, and stronger institutional resilience. The continued push for gender equality in Nigeria’s banking industry is expected to set a benchmark for other sectors aiming to foster more inclusive leadership.