Accion Microfinance Bank announces the appointment of a new chairman

Mrs. Adenike Laoye has been appointed as the new Board Chair of Accion Microfinance Bank, one of the national microfinance banks in Nigeria. Established in 2006 and licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Accion MfB Limited has been a driving force in empowering and supporting business owners since its inception in May 2007.

According to a statement, Mrs. Laoye assumed the position of a non-executive director representing Ecobank Nigeria on the board of Accion Microfinance Bank on January 5, 2017. With a law degree and having been called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991, she brings a wealth of legal expertise to her new role. Her journey with Ecobank Group began in 1993, and she steadily climbed the ranks to become the head of the legal and regulatory unit of Ecobank Nigeria in 2000. Subsequently, in 2002, she took on the role of the company secretary/chief legal counsel.

With an extensive background in legal counsel within the financial services sector, Mrs. Adenike Laoye boasts over 30 years of experience, including an impressive 17-year tenure as chief legal counsel. In March 2019, she assumed the position of Chief of Staff to the Group Chief Executive Officer at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated in Lomé, Togo. Notably, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated serves as the parent company of the Ecobank Group. In addition to her role as Chief of Staff, Mrs. Laoye also took on the responsibilities of Group Head of Corporate Communications.

In her role as Chief of Staff, Mrs. Adenike Laoye demonstrated exceptional coordination and leadership, assuming responsibility for overseeing the office of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) at Ecobank Group. This position entailed direct oversight of 33 managing directors representing 33 African countries, providing her with valuable exposure to the realms of finance, banking, and macroeconomics across the African continent.

In addition to her responsibilities, Mrs. Adenike Laoye also engaged closely with various international multilateral agencies, fostering valuable connections and collaborations.

To further enhance her expertise, she actively participated in executive programs offered by renowned institutions such as INSEAD, Harvard, and Cranfield, among others.

Her professional affiliations include being a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, as well as an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

Mrs. Laoye's exceptional contributions and influence were acknowledged when she was recognized by Chambers as a General Counsel Influencer for Africa in 2021.

Under her leadership, the legal team at Ecobank Nigeria achieved notable successes, including winning the 2013 Acquisition International Team of the Year award and the 2010 In-House Legal Department of the Year award in the inaugural edition of the Business Day Legal Awards in Nigeria.