As part of activities marking the 2025 International Women’s Month, Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, hosted the quarterly edition of its Business Series event, where leading female professionals from diverse industries shared insights on overcoming systemic challenges, driving change, and redefining success.
Held at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre, UBA House, the hybrid event reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to promoting gender parity, creating opportunities, and empowering women to build lasting legacies in their careers and businesses.
The panel featured accomplished women, including the Founder and CEO of Shule Direct, Faraja Kotta Nyalandu; Former Attorney General and Board Chairman of Africa Prudential Plc, Chief (Mrs) Eniola Fadayomi; award-winning actor and entrepreneur, Nancy Isime; and the Managing Director of BOI Investment and Trust Company Limited, Mrs Flora Fabyan.
Each panelist shared personal experiences navigating their careers, tackling gender bias, and achieving financial and professional independence, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic transformation.
Faraja Kotta Nyalandu highlighted the ripple effect of women’s empowerment on families and communities. “Empowering a woman transforms her household, her family’s health, and the wider society. My call today is for everyone to create opportunities that enable women to unlock their potential through education and learning,” she stated.
Chief Eniola Fadayomi reflected on her journey in the legal and public sectors, noting the challenges women face in leadership. “As an Attorney General, every day was a battle. Women often have to prove themselves twice as much as men. When you’re collaborative, they say you’re weak; when you’re assertive, they call you aggressive. Women should capitalize on their unique strengths to excel,” she said.
Nancy Isime emphasized the importance of financial independence for women. “Financial stability influences life choices, including partnerships. Budgeting, investing wisely, and continuous learning are key steps towards achieving financial independence,” she advised.
Chief Flora Fabyan spoke on balancing professional and personal responsibilities. “Women are naturally trained to juggle multiple roles. Managing work and home requires being present and making decisions that benefit both spheres,” she noted.
UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Alero Ladipo, commended the bank’s dedication to gender equality. “At UBA, we recognize the vital role women play in shaping economies, businesses, and families. While progress has been made, there is still much work to do, and UBA remains committed to accelerating that progress,” she said.
United Bank for Africa, one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, operates in 20 African countries, the UK, the USA, France, and the UAE. With over 25,000 employees and 45 million customers globally, the bank continues to drive financial inclusion and leverage cutting-edge technology to serve its clients.