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FIDELITY BANK CHAIRMAN AMAKA ONWUGHALU RECOGNISED FOR BOARD LEADERSHIP AT AWBFA 2026
By Prince Benson Davies
Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank Plc, has been honoured in the “Women on Bank Boards” category at the Africa Women in Banking and Finance Conference and Awards (AWBFA 2026).
The award recognises her contribution to strengthening board effectiveness and advancing inclusion in Nigeria’s financial services sector. The event, themed “Redefining Women’s Leadership in African Finance”, held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja on Friday, 8 May 2026, brings together women driving leadership and impact across Africa’s financial ecosystem. It also provides visibility for professionals whose contributions are often overlooked while reinforcing the importance of diverse leadership in banking and finance.
In her acceptance remarks, delivered through Ezinwa Unuigboje, Company Secretary, Fidelity Bank Plc, 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,” she said, noting that when diverse perspectives are represented, “oversight is sharper, risk conversations are richer, and strategy is tested more thoroughly.”
She added that inclusive leadership sends an important signal to the market and the next generation of leaders, emphasising that boardrooms should reflect “competence, experience, and the society the financial system serves.”
For Fidelity Bank, the Chairman linked the award to the institution’s governance priorities and growth trajectory. She 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, noting that inclusive boards support stability and trust, improve decision quality, and help institutions remain responsive to customers, communities, and an evolving regulatory environment. She said the honour was accepted “with gratitude, and with renewed commitment to champion inclusive leadership at the highest level.”
The organisers noted that Onwughalu’s recognition reflects the growing acknowledgment of women who are shaping governance standards and corporate direction in Africa’s financial sector. Her leadership at Fidelity Bank comes at a time when the industry is navigating capital reforms, regional expansion, and heightened expectations for accountability.
AWBFA 2026 was framed as more than an awards night, with organisers describing it as a platform to celebrate excellence, expand inclusion, and build stronger leadership pipelines for women across Africa’s financial ecosystem.
