The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank Plc. Mrs Amaka Onwughalu, has emerged winner in the “Women on Bank Boards” category at the Africa Women in Banking and Finance Conference and Awards (AWBFA 2026).
The event which was themed “Redefining Women’s Leadership in African Finance”, held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja on Friday, 8 May 2026.
In her acceptance remarks delivered by the Company Secretary of Fidelity Bank- Ezinwa Unuigboje; Onwughalu described the recognition as a timely reminder of the role inclusion plays in strengthening board effectiveness and corporate governance.
“This recognition matters because inclusion at board level strengthens governance. When diverse perspectives are represented, oversight is sharper, risk conversations are richer and strategy is tested more thoroughly”, she noted.
She further added that: “inclusive leadership sends an important signal to the market and the next generation of leaders, boardrooms should reflect competence, experience, and the society the financial system serves”.
The Chairman who linked the award to Fidelity Bank’s governance priorities and growth trajectory noted that; “strong governance aligns with the bank’s consolidation of key milestones in capital strengthening, international expansion, and sustained business growth”.
She also highlighted the wider benefits for the Nigerian banking industry, while she explained that inclusive boards support stability and trust, improve decision quality, and help institutions remain responsive to customers, communities, and evolving regulatory environment.
Onwughalu said that: “the honour is accepted with gratitude and with renewed commitment to champion inclusive leadership at the highest level”.
Organisers have positioned AWBFA 2026 as more than a conference, describing it as a movement focused on celebrating excellence, driving inclusion, and strengthening leadership pipelines for women across Africa’s financial ecosystem.
It is a platform established to celebrate women driving leadership and impact across Africa’s financial services ecosystem.
It also spotlights professionals whose contributions are often overlooked, while advancing visibility for women shaping banking and finance.
