Women's World Banking 53d ago

As insecurity and displacement continue to reshape northern Nigeria, how can financial systems adapt to serve those who need them most—especially women entrepreneurs and households navigating daily uncertainty? In this episode, our host Sonja Kelly has two conversations with a policymaker, Dr. Aisha A. Isa-Olatinwo, Director of the Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion Department at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and a financial services provider, Ikemefula Nwachukwu, Head Financial Inclusion Services, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, to explore what it takes to deliver meaningful financial support in fragile contexts. From rethinking risk and liquidity to deploying flexible credit, digital payments, and safety nets, the conversation examines how institutions can move beyond access to real resilience—ensuring women can sustain and grow their livelihoods even in crisis.  Guests: Dr. Aisha A. Isa-Olatinwo, Director of the Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion Department at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) She leads national efforts to advance responsible financial inclusion, strengthen consumer protection frameworks, and expand access to safe, inclusive financial services—particularly for underserved populations—through policy innovation, regulatory coordination, and stakeholder engagement across Nigeria’s financial sector. Ikemefula Nwachukwu, Head Financial Inclusion Services, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited He oversees the bank’s strategy to expand access to financial services through agent banking, digital channels, and inclusive product design, helping extend formal finance to underserved communities and support broader economic participation across Nigeria. Host: Dr. Sonja Kelly, Global Head, Women’s World Banking Institute Sonja is the global lead for Women’s World Banking research and learning. Through research on the financial sector, policy trends, financial services providers, and end users, Sonja and her team advocate for women’s financial inclusion. Before joining Women’s World Banking, she advised the U.S. Department of State on strategy for U.S. Embassy engagement in digital finance around the world. She has served as the director of research at the Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion, has held consulting roles at the World Bank and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), and has worked in microfinance at Opportunity International. Sonja holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from American University where she researched financial inclusion policy and regulation.