Roosevelt Ogbonna, the Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, has been chosen to join the Presidential High-Level Advisory Council on Support to Women and Girls.
This appointment was made in recognition of Access Bank’s efforts in empowering women through increased access to financing and financial literacy, as well as advocacy and specialised training.
Commenting on his appointment, Ogbonna stated that this represents a greater responsibility to ensure gender equality, equal opportunities, and national development through purposeful long-term initiatives targeted at women. He also emphasised the need for all public and private stakeholders to work together to uphold women’s rights and support their success.
Access Bank has been promoting women’s entrepreneurship in Nigeria since the ‘W’ Initiative was unveiled in 2014. This initiative includes capacity-building programs, mentoring programs, and maternal health services, among other empowerment offerings, aimed at creating a bigger, stronger, and more sustainable society.
Under Ogbonna’s leadership, Access Bank signed a commitment letter with the DFC for $280 million to help address the financing gap for small and medium-sized enterprises, advance financial inclusion in Nigeria, and aid the Bank’s commitment to supporting women-owned and led businesses.