As the world marks International Women’s Month, stakeholders in Nigeria’s financial sector call for stronger representation and leadership for women in corporate treasury, a field traditionally dominated by men.

The call came at the launch of Women in Treasury (WIT), an initiative of the Association of Corporate Treasurers of Nigeria, held at the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino on March 6, 2026, and sponsored by Duplo.

Speakers at the event emphasised that while the treasury profession has grown in strategic importance within organisations, women remain underrepresented in key positions. They argued that addressing the gap requires mentorship, professional development, collaboration, and stronger support networks.

Opening the conversation, the President and Chairman of the Council of the association, Adeyinka Ogunnubi, highlighted the increasing relevance of treasury roles in modern organisations.

According to him, treasurers now hold responsibilities that go far beyond routine financial management, positioning them as central figures in corporate decision-making.

The keynote speaker, the Executive Director of Corporate and Investment Banking at Access Bank PLC, Iyabo Soji-Okunsanya, described treasury professionals as critical managers of an organisation’s assets and liabilities.

“Treasurers are much more important than the CEOs of an organisation as things exist today,” she said. “If you are a treasurer, you must elevate yourself to the level of the CEO of the organisation because the assets and liabilities of the organisation are in your hands to manage.”

She noted that for years the treasury function, like many areas within finance, did not fully reflect the diversity of talent available in the workforce. However, she observed that the situation is gradually improving.

“Today we see more women acting in the field of finance, leading teams and shaping strategies for financial decisions,” she said.

Still, Soji-Okunsanya pointed out that the progress has been uneven. While entry-level recruitment in finance is often close to gender parity, many women drop off as they move into middle and senior management.

“At the junior level, we are almost at a 50–50 position in terms of entry into organisations,” she said. “But there is a shift as we move into the middle level. At that stage, people get married and decide that they need to prioritise their family situation ahead of their career.”

Despite these challenges, she encouraged women to pursue both family and career aspirations, noting that success in one area does not necessarily exclude the other.

Reflecting on her early professional years, Soji-Okunsanya said there were few formal support systems or career roadmaps for women entering finance.

She also recalled moments of being the only woman in a meeting room, saying those situations forced women to decide whether to step back or assert themselves.

“In those moments you have two choices. Either you shrink back or you lean forward. I learned very quickly that leaning forward was always the better choice,” she said.

The second keynote speaker, the Chief Executive of BMG Seven Limited Binta Max-Gbinije, focused on the role of mentorship, professional competence and collaboration in strengthening women’s presence in treasury.

She urged participants to develop technical knowledge and remain open to learning.

“Know your onions. Ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question,” she said. “Do not be arrogant in your ignorance and sit quietly when you do not understand something.”

Max-Gbinije also stressed the importance of commitment and collaboration within professional networks.

“Women in Treasury has started today and there is no going back. Forward ever, backward never,” she said. “Like the Three Musketeers, our motto should be all for one and one for all.”

She further emphasised continuous professional development, encouraging younger professionals to obtain relevant certifications such as those offered by the institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the CFA institute.

“It is better to have a qualification and not need it than to need it and not have it,” she said.

Max-Gbinije also highlighted networking and integrity as critical factors for career advancement, particularly in treasury roles that involve managing corporate funds and financial risk.

Another keynote speaker, Business Operations Lead at Duplo, Vera Obosi spoke on the theme Bridging the gap — The future of treasury is inclusive, stressing the need to create more opportunities for women within the profession.

Obosi noted that as the treasury landscape continues to evolve with technology and innovation, inclusion must remain a priority to ensure that diverse perspectives shape financial decision-making. She said initiatives such as Women in Treasury could help close existing gaps by providing mentorship, professional networks and platforms that enable women to contribute more actively to the future of corporate treasury.

Also speaking, the Chairperson of Women in Treasury, Titilola Osinowo, described the initiative as a platform designed to expand opportunities and strengthen the role of women in the evolving treasury profession.

“It is not just about launching a platform,” she said. “It is about opening doors, amplifying knowledge and building pathways for women in treasury to thrive, lead and shape the future of our profession.”

Osinowo noted that corporate treasury has transformed significantly in recent years, moving beyond traditional cash management to a strategic function within organisations.

Despite these changes, she acknowledged that women remain underrepresented in many treasury and finance leadership roles.

Participants at the event agreed that initiatives such as Women in Treasury could help close the gap by providing mentorship, knowledge-sharing opportunities and professional networks for women seeking to advance within the field.

The closing remarks were delivered by the Global Head of Treasury and investor relations at Greenlight Planet Sun King Nigeria Limited, Mrs Victory Olumuyiwa, who commended the initiative and encouraged participants to sustain collaboration and professional development within the treasury community.

At the end of the event, the official logo of Women in Treasury was unveiled as participants networked, marking the beginning of the initiative aimed at building a stronger community of female professionals in Nigeria’s treasury and finance sector.