Ambassador Nimi Akinkugbe, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Greece, has called for increased female participation in the Nigerian workforce across all sectors, as a critical factor in unlocking the country’s economic potential.

Akinkugbe made the call at the first anniversary of 100 Women in Finance (100WF) which was organized by First Bank Ltd. on Friday night in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 100WF is a global non-profit finance industry organization.

She highlighted the significant impact women were making in leadership roles in banks and other sectors, noting their natural qualities as effective managers.

Speaking on the theme, “Empower the Leader Within with Ambassador Nimi Akinkugbe and First Anniversary of 100WF in Nigeria”, Akinkugbe discussed how women could leverage support systems to excel in business and career while balancing family responsibilities.

She outlined the qualities needed for excellence in the finance industry and stressed the importance of having a plan and setting goals for career growth and development.

She, however, insisted that women must work hard to earn leadership positions and should not expect easy opportunities based on gender considerations.

“By increasing female participation in work place, we can reach the zenith,” she said.

The ambassador also listed multitasking roles of women and nine pitfalls to avoid to prevent burnout while striving for excellence.

She urged women to invest in themselves and practice self-care to remain relevant and rejuvenated in their roles.

Akinkugbe noted the importance of mentorship and how women could build resilience and cope with imposter syndrome.

Ms Abimbola Meshinoye, Head of Brand Strategy, Budget and Planning at First Bank Ltd., explained that the bank sponsored the event due to its history of supporting and growing women’s networks.

Meshinoye noted that the bank had many women in leadership positions and believed in their empowerment.

“Programs like this not only help them participate but also empower them, offering networking opportunities and building confidence within the system that First Bank operates,” Meshinoye said.

She added that First Bank, a 130-year-old institution driven by passion, had significantly impacted and promoted women’s growth and development both within and outside the organization.

Ms Yemi Okojie, Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at First Bank of Nigeria Holdings, noted that apart from being a sponsor, First Bank also had several women members in 100WF.

According to her, this demonstrates the bank’s commitment to promoting women and ensuring their growth into leadership positions.

NAN also report that the 100WF’s programs focus on promoting diversity of thought, raising visibility and empowering women to find their personal path to success by leveraging collective knowledge and building a peer network.

It is a network of professionals (women and men) in the finance industry, with the mission to empower women at every career stage.

By 2040, 100WF aims to have 30 per cent of senior executive and investment roles in the financial services sector filled by women.