Nigeria: Trailblazing in Finance - How Odiri Oginni Is Paving Way for Women

**Odiri Oginni: A Trailblazer for Women in Finance**

Odiri Oginni has made her mark in the finance industry. As CEO of United Capital Asset Management Limited, she leads a firm that has grown significantly. In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mrs. Oginni discusses her journey and commitment to empowering women.

**Her Professional Journey**

Mrs. Oginni began her career at Deloitte in 2006 as a Qualified Audit Senior. There, she gained early leadership experience by leading audit engagements for key clients. This role laid a strong foundation in financial reporting and risk management.

She later joined UBA Global Markets as CFO, part of UBA's investment banking division. After a spin-off in 2013, she took on various senior finance roles within United Capital Group. In 2017, she became Group CFO, expanding her leadership scope significantly.

As CFO, Mrs. Oginni focused on growth opportunities and profitability improvements. She aligned finance with business strategy, which prepared her for broader leadership roles. In 2019, she was appointed CEO of United Capital Asset Management Limited.

Under her leadership, the firm became one of Nigeria's largest asset managers. They now manage over N1 trillion across multiple asset strategies.

**Women Leaders Empowering Others**

Mrs. Oginni believes women leaders inspire others by leading by example. When they confidently take on leadership roles, they break barriers and challenge limiting beliefs.

Women leaders understand the challenges posed by gender biases in industries like finance. They often mentor and advocate for other women to help them succeed.

By fostering inclusive environments, women leaders create opportunities for diverse voices to be heard. This inclusivity strengthens organizations and drives innovation.

Ultimately, when one woman rises in leadership, it creates a ripple effect that benefits many others.

**Unique Qualities of Women Leaders**

Mrs. Oginni highlights that women bring intentionality and empathy to their leadership roles. They foster inclusive environments where diverse perspectives are valued.

Their ability to connect deeply helps build strong teams and collaboration. While empathy may seem like a softer skill, it is powerful when combined with confidence.

Women who embrace these strengths can reshape leadership for long-term success.

**Challenges Faced as a Woman Leader**

As a young woman in finance, Mrs. Oginni faced challenges believing in herself among older peers. Early on, she sometimes second-guessed her abilities despite being competent.

The male-dominated industry required resilience and effort to break through barriers. She overcame this by focusing on expertise and building a support network.

Continuous learning helped boost her confidence while surrounding herself with mentors provided guidance. Learning to speak up about her achievements also increased her visibility within the industry.

Today, she mentors other women facing similar challenges so they can lead confidently.

**A Rewarding Career Moment**

Becoming CEO of United Capital Asset Management Limited was pivotal for Mrs. Oginni’s career. Initially unsure if she was ready or qualified for the role due to imposter syndrome, she stepped up nonetheless.

Leading the firm successfully reaffirmed her belief in preparation and resilience as keys to effective leadership.
This experience solidified her passion not just for business results but also for mentoring future female leaders.
She learned that growth occurs when we embrace daunting opportunities.
Now she encourages women to bet on themselves and own their journeys confidently.


**Advice for Aspiring Female Leaders**

Mrs.Oginni advises young Nigerian women aspiring to lead to focus on three strategies:

1) **Build Competence:** Invest in skills and continuously learn to become an expert.
2) **Build Relationships:** Surround yourself with supportive mentors who challenge you.
3) **Be Visible:** Speak up about your achievements; visibility opens doors.


Leadership is a journey filled with challenges but requires resilience and intentionality.


**Balancing Work-Life Demands**

How does Mrs.Oginni balance being CEO with personal life?