The Nigerian financial Industry has been urged to strive towards mentoring young talents in the industry.
Speaking at the first anniversary of 100 Women in Finance (100WF) in Nigeria, Ambassador Nimi Akinkugbe noted that the Nigerian banking industry has become a stop gap for many young talents to move on to other professions or out of the country.
Lamenting the lack of customer centricity in the industry, she said the banking sector is heading towards a dire time where it would lack talents for leadership roles.
Whilst noting that the Nigerian banking industry has been able to move far ahead in terms of innovation, she said “something is wrong. It is not just about training, it is about mentoring. We need to mentor young people. We now have people that just come into the sector for a short gap. Their hearts are not in it.
Meanwhile she outlined the “remarkable strides that Nigerian women have made particularly in the banking sector. Women are at the helm of some great institutions. A lot of banks have female leaders that are shining role models that excel and lead with confidence in the finance industry and beyond.
“A lot can be achieved by women showing resilience and talent and leadership to drive the industry forward both in Nigeria and beyond. We are so far ahead in the banking sector, whether it’s banking, corporate finance and investment banking asset management, or private equity venture capital.”
Advising women in finance on what would make them stand out, Akinkugbe said “you need to have strong analytical skills, decision making abilities, and a deep understanding of your markets. You have to be adaptable, possess excellent communication skills. You have to demonstrate the highest level of integrity and trust, professionalism and a commitment to the highest ethical standards in all your dealings and interactions.
“I have come to appreciate the incredible value of having trust in the finance industry, because the positive impact of that experience translates into everything else you choose to do after you get to decide to leave the industry to something else that gives you some core strength that is difficult to match.”
On her part, Head Brand Strategy, Budget and Planning, at First of Nigeria, Abimbola Meshinoye, said it was an easy decision for the bank to sponsor the 100WF because “we have a lot of women in first bank system, we have a good balance and we are still working to grow the number of women in leadership within first bank and programs like this is not only helpful for them to participate.
“It empowers them, gives them the opportunity to network, to become stronger and believe in themselves within the system that the first bank operates. We also have other programs and initiatives in the back. First women network which is set up to empower women to give them all the tools they need on their career journey.