Access Bank Recognises 100 Remarkable African Women

Access Bank Plc, through its W initiative is set to honour 100 women from across 16 African countries including Nigeria.

The Bank, this year, will unveil and celebrate 100 remarkable African women and acknowledge their significant contributions to nation-building and societal impact across the African Continent.

In recognition of the outstanding achievements of Nigerian women, Access Bank introduced ‘The Power of 100’ in 2015 through a Book compilation which recognized 100 women across Africa who have made remarkable contributions in diverse sectors such as health, education, business, and technology.

The Bank stated this at a press briefing held in Lagos, yesterday. The deputy managing director of Access Bank, Chizoma Okoli, emphasised the Bank’s unwavering commitment to championing women’s empowerment, saying that “the Power of 100 Africa is an initiative by Access Bank designed to recognize and celebrate 100 remarkable African women who have made significant contributions across various sectors, including health, education, business, technology, and more.

“By highlighting these women’s achievements, the project aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders, foster a supportive network of women, and amplify the impact of female role models across the continent.”

She explained that the initiative’s expansion was a deliberate move to spotlight the impact of African women beyond Nigeria, adding that “we are thrilled to take this to a continental scale because we believe that women across Africa are making extraordinary contributions to their communities and industries.”

Okoli noted that, “the initiative seeks not only to celebrate these women but also to amplify their impact across the continent. This initiative is about driving positive change in communities where these women lead. It will create a network of women supporting each other through the W Community, promoting collaboration and shared success. The project aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders. We are excited about the potential impact.”

Group head of W Initiatives and Emerging Businesses at Access Bank, Abiodun Olubitan, noted that the nomination process had been open to the public, assuring that the selection process will be transparent and fair, with a jury of experienced professionals overseeing the nominations.

“We have ensured that this initiative is conducted in a transparent and ethical manner. A jury made up of highly respected individuals will scrutinise every nomination to ensure that the selected women meet all necessary criteria,” Olubitan explained.

She added that honorees will be selected based on several criteria, including leadership, innovation, and societal impact, noting that the honorees will gain global recognition, and their contributions will be showcased on a dedicated platform.

“Honorees will be engaged in mentorship and capacity-building programs, granted access to exclusive events, networking opportunities, and unlimited resources within the W Community by the Bank, among other benefits,” she added.