The gender influence of female hire in Allianz Nigeria is set to become the dominant factor in the Nigeria turf of the global insurer, this is reflected in the appointment of Abiola Adekoya (Ms.) as the independent director in line with regulatory requirements for insurance operators in Nigeria.
She will succeed Chief Dickie Ulu who emerged as board chair in December 2020 following the resignation of the former incumbent. Also approved by NAICOM is the appointment of Johannes Bayer as non-executive director. The dominance brings to 43% female board representation and a record 60% female executive representation.
Abiola joins the board with nearly two decades of expertise in the financial services industry and a distinguished career in business. She is the Lead Wealth Advisor at Artios Capital Limited, a boutique wealth advising firm dedicated to providing private clients with creative financial solutions. Ms. Adekoya was formerly the MD/CEO of FBN Quest Securities, a subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc, as well as RMB Nigeria Stockbrokers, a part of the FirstRand Group, before transitioning to Artios Capital. She began her career in the banking industry, working for major banks in a variety of capacities in retail, commercial, and corporate banking. Abiola holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Lagos, an MBA from Lagos Business School, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria.
“This appointment is further evidence that Allianz is committed to equal representation, balance, and inclusion”, notes Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, MD/CEO at Allianz Nigeria. Adeolu herself enjoys the distinction of being the first woman on the Allianz Nigeria board as a Non-executive Director before eventually being appointed as its first female CEO in September 2020.
