The Association of Professional Women Bankers (APWB) has reaffirmed dedication to empower women and also to advance national development at its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held virtually in Lagos.
The meeting reviewed the association’s achievements and articulate strategy for 2025 and the future.
APWB Chairperson, Mrs. Funke Ladimeji, described 2024 as a year of transformation and resilience, adding that global and domestic headwinds, including inflation, geopolitical instability and climate-related disruptions affected businesses last year, saying despite this, APWB has continued to thrive with relevance and purpose.
She said: “We have stayed focused, resilient, and innovative, ensuring that the voices of professional women bankers are amplified and supported.”
Citing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation mandate, as a defining policy shift, she said its impact on the banking landscape and APWB’s intention is to help members navigate changes through capacity-building and mentorship initiatives.
APWB’s treasurer, Mrs. Kehinde Olomojobi, presented a robust financial report, revealing a total revenue of ₦55.9 million for 2024, an almost tenfold improvement in surplus over the previous year. Sponsorships, according to her, contributed ₦45.9 million, while expenses were tightly managed under a disciplined “only spend what we have” policy.
“Through timely member contributions and disciplined governance, we closed the year with a surplus of ₦18.8 million and improved cash balances of ₦11.9 million,” she noted.
APWB’s investment portfolio, focused on Nigeria’s banking, insurance, and energy sectors, recorded a 109 per cent appreciation, demonstrating the association’s commitment to value-driven, inflation-beating investment strategies that deliver long-term value to its members.
Looking forward, APWB outlined ambitious plans to deepen its mentoring architecture and scale its “Catch Them Young” initiative, which introduces students to financial literacy and career opportunities in banking. The association will also champion institutional reforms to enhance women’s leadership access within the sector and plans to publish a report on the lived experiences of female bankers in Nigeria.
Appreciating APWB executive committee, Ladimeji urged members to continue to engage the association’s vision.
She said: “Members should remain engaged to the association and support the next leadership team as we continue building a legacy of inclusion, excellence and national impact.”
