March 28, (THEWILL) – Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Olayemi Cardoso, has reaffirmed the Bank’s mission to achieve gender-balanced leadership.
Cardoso reaffirmed the commitment at the grand finale of the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations at the CBN Head Office on Tuesday. The event marked the culmination of a month-long programme celebrating IWD across the CBN.
As part of commitment to inclusive and representative leadership, the CBN under Cardoso, has ensured that women constitute 35% of its directors and half of its Non-Executive Board.
“Increasing women’s representation in leadership is not just ethical; it is a strategic necessity. The rise of women in leadership at the CBN mirrors a global shift, where skilled and visionary female leaders are reshaping governance. We at the CBN are proud to be part of this progress”, Cardoso stated.
The appointment of six new female directors sets a new record for the CBN, reinforcing Governor Cardoso’s resolve to foster diverse perspectives at the top. He highlighted the valuable contributions of women across the institution, particularly the newly appointed directors, who now join the distinguished ranks of his Advisers – Dr Daphne Dafinone, Dr Nkiru Balonwu, and Ms Shola Phillips – whose strategic insight, deep expertise, and steadfast commitment have been instrumental in navigating complex challenges and guiding CBN policy direction.
Cardoso also recognised the leadership of existing female directors who continue to play critical roles in steering the CBN forward.
In her remarks, Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Ms Emem Usoro, expressed appreciation for the collective effort behind this year’s IWD programme, describing it as a powerful reflection of the Bank’s shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and institutional progress. She underlined the urgency of the IWD 2025 theme, Accelerate Action, citing a World Economic Forum report which projects that full gender parity may not be achieved until 2054. She urged institutions to break structural barriers and foster opportunities for women to build sustained momentum in the pursuit of gender equity.
The IWD ceremony culminated the Inspiring Women Award, an initiative of the Change and Culture Transformation Unit (CCTU), aimed at recognising outstanding female staff across the CBN’s branches. Out of 806 nominations submitted nationwide, 28 winners were selected following a rigorous evaluation process. Awardees were drawn from branches across Nigeria including Awka, Dutse, Yola, Gombe, Oshogbo, Kaduna, Enugu and Birnin Kebbi.
Among the honourees, Deputy Governor Emem Usoro received the prestigious Amazon Award from Governor Cardoso, in recognition of her outstanding leadership since assuming office. Ten female directors were celebrated as Trailblazers, alongside a further 18 inspiring women acknowledged for their exceptional contributions across the Bank.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
