Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, a politician and medical doctor, made history in 2019 by becoming the first female deputy governor of Kaduna State. She continues to serve in this role with dedication and commitment.
As a registered professional Public Health Physician and Consultant with over two decades of experience, Dr Hadiza Balarabe has made significant contributions to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Her career began in 1990 at Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, where she served as a medical officer/senior medical officer. She later held various roles at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, before assuming leadership positions in public health, including director of Public Health in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In 2016, Dr. Balarabe was appointed as the executive secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency, where she spearheaded initiatives to enhance healthcare services across the state. Hadiza’s leadership style is characterized by a blend of empathy and pragmatism; she consistently advocates for inclusive governance and meaningful engagement with communities to address their needs. In 2019, as acting governor, she presented the Kaduna State Government’s 2020 Budget Renewal to the State House of Assembly, thereby becoming the first woman to do so in Northern Nigeria.
Additionally, Dr. Balarabe remains actively involved in community empowerment and advocacy programmes. Her dedication to gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable development serves as a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating positive change.
Chinwe Ajene Sagna is a skilled leader in the global real estate industry, renowned for her strategic vision, operational expertise, and commitment to excellence. With over two decades of experience, Chinwe has navigated the complexities of the real estate landscape across diverse markets, including the United States, France and West Africa.
As the founder and managing partner of Catalyst Realty Solutions (CRS), Chinwe spearheads a full-service real estate firm dedicated to delivering solutions to clients worldwide. Under her leadership, CRS has emerged as a trusted advisor to private and institutional clients. Prior to founding CRS, Chinwe held prominent roles at renowned organizations , including Rendeavour, Africa’s largest urban land developer, and JI.L, a global real estate services firm.At Rendeavour, she served as the group head of Business Development Africa, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategies and expanding its footprint across the continent. During her tenure at JLL, Chinwe led the French International Desk, Paris.
In addition to her role at CRS, Chinwe serves on various boards, including the investment committee for Rising Tide Africa. As a recognized leader, Chinwe is dedicated to empowering women in real estate and fostering diversity and inclusion within the sector.
Hajara Adeola is the founder and chairperson of LOTUS Bank Limited. She also holds the role of founder and managing director at Lotus Capital Limited, a Nigerian firm known for its pioneering work in Shari’ah-compliant asset management, private wealth management advisory services, and financial advisory services. With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years, Adeola’s expertise encompasses research and analysis, investment management, corporate finance, and Islamic finance.
Prior to her ventures with LOTUS Bank Limited and Lotus Capital Limited, Adeola held key positions at prominent financial institutions. Notably, she served as the director of CCT Islamic Finance at UBS Warburg, overseeing their London Islamic Finance Desk. She also excelled as a Convertible Bond Research Analyst at BNP Paribas, London.
Adeola’s leadership extends beyond her professional endeavours. She holds the esteemed title of the first president of the Fund Manager’s Association of Nigeria. In her current roles, Adeola continues to shape the financial sector. She chairs the Securities & Exchange Commission’s non-interest capital market 10-year master plan committee, driving initiatives for market development. Furthermore, her role as a director at The Aliko Dangote Foundation underscores her commitment to impactful philanthropy and community development.
Arunma Oteh is a distinguished economist known for her influential contributions to the financial sector. Her impactful roles in global institutions, including serving as Treasurer and vice president of the World Bank, have cemented her reputation as a transformative figure. Her career began with roles at institutions like the University of Benin, the Harvard Institute for International Development, and the Centre Point Investments Limited of Nigeria. She has held pivotal positions in consulting, capital markets, finance, and research.
Joining the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 1992, Oteh swiftly climbed the ranks, eventually serving as the vice president for Corporate Management. In July 2009, she was appointed director-general of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) by President Umaru Yar’Adua. Implementing vital reforms, Oteh significantly strengthened Nigeria’s capital market.
In July 2015, Oteh’s journey led her to the World Bank, where she was appointed vice president and treasurer. Her achievements have earned her numerous awards, including Nigeria’s Officer of the Order of Niger (OON), recognition on the Power List’s 2020 Top 100 people in the UK of African heritage, and inclusion in Forbes Africa’s 50 Most Influential African Women.
Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed is the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations. Before her appointment, she was a senior special adviser to the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, with a focus on peace and security, regional integration, and organisational development. She also served as executive director at West Africa Conflict and Security Consulting, worked as a Programme Manager at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, and held the position of Regional Project Manager for Security Policy Projects in West Africa.
Ambassador Fatima Kyari is also the founder of the LikeMinds Project, a non-profit, non-partisan organisation dedicated to assisting vulnerable communities in Nigeria. The organisation focuses on empowering women and youth while providing support to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
Ambassador Fatima’s contributions to peace building have not gone unnoticed. She has been recognised as one of the 100 Most Influential African Women by Avance Media in both 2021 and 2022. She was also nominated for the Outstanding Woman in Peace Building Award by NCWG International.
