The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Miriam Olusanya, has underscored the importance of women-led innovation in driving financial inclusion in Nigeria. Speaking at the 2026 Marquee Event in Lagos, Olusanya called for a shift in how financial disruption is defined and executed, prioritising inclusion, access, and human-centred design over a narrow focus on technology.
Financial disruption, according to Olusanya, goes beyond digital tools and platforms. It is about expanding access, lowering costs, improving transparency, and integrating previously excluded populations into the formal economy. She noted that women bring unique insights into financial systems, particularly through informal structures such as savings groups and cooperative lending models.
Olusanya highlighted that women are disproportionately affected by financial exclusion, with limited access to credit and underrepresentation in financial decision-making. Closing these gaps, she said, presents a significant opportunity to unlock economic growth. She identified three key drivers of meaningful financial disruption: technology that expands access, inclusion as a deliberate growth strategy, and strong institutional frameworks capable of delivering scale.
The call by Miriam Olusanya for women-led innovation in driving financial inclusion is a welcome one, but it is imperative that concrete actions are taken to dismantle structural barriers limiting women's participation in finance. The fact that women are more likely to be unbanked, have limited access to credit, and are underrepresented in financial decision-making is a stark reminder of the need for deliberate efforts to address these issues. The future of finance in Nigeria will depend on disciplined, forward-looking leadership that balances growth with risk and ensures that access is built on trust. As the country looks to unlock economic growth, it is essential that the financial sector is designed to serve the needs of all Nigerians, particularly women who are disproportionately affected by financial exclusion.
