Throughout history, the central role played by women has ensured the stability, progress and long-term development of nations. In the 21st century, the issues of gender balance and the need to accord women equal opportunities and allow them achieve their full potentials in the society, have gained more momentum, globally.

While some progress has been made to overcome impediments to their chances of contributing to development, a lot still needs to be done in the area of decision-making. According to the United Nations (UN), investing in women and respecting their rights is the surest way to uplifting communities, organizations and countries, as well as achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Most importantly, the global body made its submission to the effect that ‘Balance’ is not a women’s issue, but rather a business issue. The race is on for gender-balanced boardroom, gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, gender-balanced employment opportunities, gender-balanced wealth creation, gender-balanced sports activities, amongst others.

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Thus, the involvement of women in nation-building is an inalienable right, as well as inescapable reality for a holistic and comprehensive political, economic and social advancement in the modern world. Over time, some women who have been entrusted with leading roles to manage human and material resources have more often than not, proved that given adequate backing, they can perform creditably. Indeed, the 21st Century has birthed the long-awaited desire of women to be in the corridors of power, to be vocal about their needs, and to execute their dreams by contributing their quota to national development. 

In this Special Edition to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, The Guardian celebrates two of these aforementioned Amazons, viz: Chinelo Nelly Awotoye, the Company Secretary and Head, Corporate Services of Page International Financials Services Limited and Rita Babalola, Executive Director, Ostar Petroleum Limited/Lead Consultant, Beacongate Limited.

AWOTOYE CHINELO NELLY:  Savvy, Versatile, Astute Professional of Excellence, Promoting Corporate Governance for Functional Growth

Chinelo Nelly Awotoye, the Company Secretary and Head, Corporate Services of Page International Financials Services Limited holds a Bachelor of Laws degree in from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State and was called to the Nigerian Bar in January 2001. She is also an alumnus of the University of Lagos where she obtained a Master of Laws degree. In her quest for more knowledge she attended the Rome Business School where she got a Master of Business Administration specializing Human Resource Management. Chinelo is a Chartered Arbitrator, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

An Associate Professional in Human Resource Management (aPHRI), she is also a volunteer member of the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), Alexandria, Virginia, as well as a member of the Strategic Human Capital Institute. 

She started her career in 2001 and has gained diverse work experience in various sectors including oil and gas, telecommunications, financial services such as venture capital, insurance and banking; she brings on board over 20 years’ work experience.  

In this brief interview in response to her Recognition by The Guardian as one of “Nigeria’s Most Outstanding and Impactful Women In Leadership”, Chinelo Nelly Awotoye speaks her career journey, work experience, Page International Financial Services Limited’s set objectives, milestones gender inclusion, amongst other sundry issues. Excerpts … 

In a patriarchal society such as ours, most women are said to be unjustly treated in terms of individual rights and benefits, how can you describe your experience in the last few years as the Company Secretary at Page International Financial Services Limited, and within the industry where you operate?

Women have made significant progress in various career pursuits over the past few decades; however, we are still notably underrepresented in the financial services space. However, to succeed in a male dominated career space, you must believe in your own abilities knowing that you have just as much to offer as any man in any field.

I joined Page International Financial Services Limited in January 2019 as Head, Corporate Services/ Company Secretary. As an organization, Page Financials is a practical equal opportunity employer having made very conscious decisions to encourage and promote gender diversity in the workplace, provide training and development opportunities for female employees as well as encourage and provide mentorship and networking opportunities for female employees with organizations such as WIMBIZ and the likes.

Customers, shareholders, regulators and even colleagues are demanding accountability and transparency from businesses. To this end, sound corporate governance is important to reducing risks and engendering growth. The role of the Company Secretary in a corporate governance framework has continued to be misunderstood. 

The function of the Company Secretary is fundamental to managing a company and fulfilling legal, regulatory, risk and compliance obligations because of this, company secretaries are referred to as guardians of a business. The Management and Board of Directors of Page Financials recognize this and have in an unflinching manner supported the implementation of a robust corporate governance framework with a zero-tolerance rule. 

In last five years, I have ensured that board procedures and corporate governance principles are both followed and regularly reviewed. Our directors understand their responsibilities and with my guidance discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the rules and regulations to which they are subject. The Board has access to my advice and services recognise that the company secretary is a strong support system ensuring the effective functioning of the board.

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Can you briefly highlight Page International Financial Services Limited’s set objectives, milestones, and other remarkable achievements in relation to national economic growth and development?

In Nigeria today, the worsening economic situation and the rise in insecurity are intensely felt across the country. This has translated into many economic negatives such as food inflation and reduced foreign direct investments which have a direct impact on the cost of living and standard of living. 

As a service-based business in the financial sector, our goal to remain nimble and technologically adept was emphasized even more when the pandemic hit. We were able to still provide access to finance to our teeming customers across the country using our touch-points across our mobile app, website and digital channels without them needing to come to the office or even speak to anyone directly.

At Page Financials, our loans, borrowings and payments products are targeted at solving everyday needs of Nigerians such as medical emergencies, school fees, house rent, cashflow support for businesses, invoice financing, customers’ wealth management and bills payments. These various products are aimed to ensure Nigerians are financially empowered to get a decent living.

From historical record, Women are known for seeking ways to educate, empower and contribute to society; can you say that womenfolk are performing up to expectation in Nigeria?

There is always room for improvement. Women are a major stakeholder in the development of any society locally or globally. The issues of women marginalisation and low participation in leadership and decision making have gradually become history. Over the years, Nigerian women have been rewriting the narrative across the world, setting new standards, forging new paths, breaking the glass ceiling as more women clinch seats at Nigeria’s most valuable firms. 

More women secured seats at the boardroom tables of Nigeria’s most valuable companies over the last year, showing progress towards gender diversity at the workplace as prescribed by the 2018 Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance. 

Agusto Consulting, a subsidiary of Agusto & Co, a pan-African credit rating agency, reported that the share of women on boards soared in 2022. In the report titled ‘Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership (the Board of Directors)’, Agusto analysed the boards of the 25 most valuable companies in Nigeria, based on their market capitalisation as at the end of 2022.

The report noted that the percentage of female board members rose steadily over the last five years, growing by up to 25% last year from a less than 20% two years prior. 

However, this positive trend not withstanding and is obvious in every positive turn of events, I know that there is enormous room for even better achievements for women in Nigeria.

In your own opinion, what other qualities do you think are required or needed for a woman to make it to the top in Nigeria? 

Resilient leader – never settle for anything, don’t go with the flow or accept whatever life offers you. Take the bull by the horn and go after it, work your way up the corporate ladder.

Visionary thinker – think big with clear idea of how they envision the future. Plan strategies and set concrete steps to plan and execute the vision. Sell vision to the team and lead a team toward accomplishing its goal. Understanding the traits to develop in this role may help you inspire others efficiently and effectively.

Assiduous leader – you have to possess a great deal of determination in order to be successful, every industry requires perseverance, you have to dig deep within yourself to keep pushing to reach both your own and your organization’ goals.

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Kindly share with us a list of past awards and recognitions attributed to your leadership and advice on how more award-winning Women can emerge in the country. 

In 2020, Page was recognized at the 8th edition of the BAFI Awards event as the Consumer Credit Brand of The Year and the Most Innovative Consumer Lender of The Year. Page Financials has continued to distinguish itself in the Nigerian financial services industry through superior service offering, unique customer experience and sound financial indices. The Institution has remained a clear leader in the digital space with several firsts in the deployment of innovative products, solutions and an assortment of channels that ensures convenience, speed within a secure environment.  

A summary of some of Page’s recent recognitions include: Most Innovative Consumer Lender of the Year – BAFI Awards 2021; Consumer Credit Brand Of The Year – 2020 – BusinessDay ; Most Innovative Consumer Lender of The Year – 2020 – Business Day; Consumer Finance Provider Of The Year – 2019 – BusinessDay; Most Innovative Consumer Lender Of The Year – 2019 – BusinessDay; Consumer Finance Provider Of The Year – 2019 – NFIA; Most Innovative Consumer Lender of The Year – 2022 – Business Day; Retail Finance Company Of The Year- 2022- Business Day

Last year, Page CEO, Mr. Segun Akintemi, was also recognized as the Non-Bank Financial Institution CEO of the year by BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards 2022. This is in recognition of the quality of leadership that he exudes in steering the organization to a transformational and innovative future. 

How more award-winning Women can emerge in the country?

Opportunity – Identify priorities and strategize – our business success is dependent upon our ability to identify the most important things to accomplish at any given time. Secondly, Focus – Stay focused – Envision the end result – Ensure that each activity or task is somehow related to attaining that end prize: The sole purpose of our business venture.

RITA BABALOLA: A Resourceful Amazon With Developmental Vision, Creating Value Through Beacongate 

Rita Babalola’s enthusiasm to take on any task and make a success of it, her astuteness, adherence to professional ethics, and diligence have placed her name among women of substance whose contributions cannot be ignored whenever the roll call of Nigerian women whose professional engagements and exemplary lifestyle have helped in raising the bars of productivity and excellence in the corporate world, within the last 10 years, is being made. 

Executive Director, Ostar Petroleum Limited and Lead Consultant, Beacongate Limited, she is equipped with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Sciences and an MBA in Human Resources Management from Lagos State University, and she is a Cherie Blaire Mentor and a business coach on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Initiative. Rita Babalola has undergone training both locally and internationally with Chicago Booth University and the Coaching Academy, UK. Her impactful career has taken her across various sectors, ranging from banking to oil & gas, and human resources consulting sector, building skills along her career path in management and administration, branch expansion, business development, sales and marketing, recruitment and selection, training and development among others.

In this brief chat with The Guardian, on her recognition as one of “Nigeria’s Most Outstanding and Impactful Women In Leadership” she spoke on her career path and BeaconGate Limited’s driving values, amongst other issues. Excerpts …

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What factors informed your career choice, and can you recall any of the challenging periods of your career?

I actually read sciences and one of the major factors for my career choice was an external push from my parents and teachers to the effect that I was brilliant and could actually do medicine but unfortunately my cut-off JAMB score was below the cut-off mark thus I chose the other option recommended, which was Chemical sciences. Unfortunately my career now is quite a departure from my course of study. To address this uncertainty when students are in secondary or high school and pressure to choose certain courses, I decided to write a book on navigating career choice which would soon be out before the end of the year.

One of the most challenging periods of my career was when a family business that I was a part of ran into murky waters before its third years in operation as is typical of most SMEs in Nigeria. I suddenly found myself out of job; this was a scary and uncertain period of my life as I lose confidence in my capabilities. Saved funds were running out and I had to do a lot of retrospection about my career path, knowledge and interest as well as available options that were low-hanging fruits. I leveraged on the oil & gas business and built marketing and Distribution Company from it and also my banking experience to start a HR consulting business.

Can you highlight the major challenges being faced by female professionals in Nigerian?

a lot of women have broken the supposed glass ceiling and making impact by being diligent, persevering and handling challenges. Amazing feats are happening and you can see at a point in time that the board of some Nigerian banks were chaired by some women. However, female professionals in Nigeria, like in many parts of the world, face various challenges in their careers such as gender discrimination leading to unequal opportunities and pay disparities, limited access to leadership roles, cultural and societal expectations discouraging women from male dominated fields, a lack of female role models and mentors, and disparities in technology access and digital skills. It is important to note that addressing these issues requires concerted efforts from both government and private sectors to promote gender equality provide mentorship and support, and create inclusive work environments that empower female professionals to thrive in their careers. It is the ability to be seen as equals.

Despite the challenges that are involved in managing private firms in Nigeria, BeaconGate Limited have been able to maintain its growth and corporate integrity. What corporate values can you ascribe to this achievement?

People are the most valuable assets of any organization as people make great companies. We invested in the team, created an enabling and growth environment and made everyone believe in the Core Values called RIVEL: R – Results – We believe in the outcome of our daily tasks which must be the sum total of everyone’s effort as the end of the day which would also affect how we serve our clients. I – Integrity – Honesty is our watch word. Let your YES be YES and do things that you are proud of even when others are not watching.V – Value Addition – Impact must be felt by both the internal and external customers. E – Excellence – We believe anything that we do, we must do and get right once by putting all our best in it at the right time and in the right place. L – Leadership – Every one of us has an innate gift to influence and inspire people to be better. We must lead with empathy and accountability. 

What advice do you have for young women and girls who are looking up to an outstanding personality like you?

Be you! Try to believe in yourself and choose some set of core values to guide your life and career. Know to do the right thing at the right time.

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