Institute President Vows To Deepen Professional Excellence, Inclusivity

President-elect of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Fiona Ahimie, has pledged to deepen professional excellence, promote inclusivity and strengthen the Institute’s relevance within the global financial ecosystem as she prepares to assume office on June 25, 2026.

Ahimie made the commitment during a courtesy visit to former director-general of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (now Nigerian Exchange Group), Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, ahead of her inauguration as the Institute’s president.

The visit was led by the Institute’s leadership and included the immediate past president, Oluropo Dada; the first and second principal officers, Dr Akeem Oyewale and Jude Chiemeka, respectively; and the registrar/chief executive, Ayo Adeonipekun.

Speaking during the visit, Ahimie expressed appreciation for the support and goodwill extended to her and reiterated her commitment to building on the achievements of previous administrations.

“I am committed to building on the strong foundation laid by my predecessors, fostering inclusivity, strengthening professional excellence and advancing the Institute’s relevance within the global financial ecosystem,” she said.

She added that her emergence as president-elect represents a collective responsibility that requires collaboration, integrity, and vision to sustain the Institute’s growth and inspire future generations of professionals.

“I also see this moment as a collective responsibility, one that calls for collaboration, integrity and vision to sustain the growth of the Institute and inspire the next generation of leaders, especially young women in finance,” Ahimie stated.

In her remarks, Okereke-Onyuike described Ahimie’s election as a landmark achievement for women in Nigeria’s capital market and the wider financial services sector.

She noted that Ahimie’s emergence marks a defining moment in the 30-year history of the Institute and reflects growing confidence in the leadership capabilities of women within the profession.

“The election of Fiona Ahimie is not only a personal achievement but also a landmark accomplishment for women in the capital market and the wider financial industry. It sends a strong message that leadership positions should be determined by competence, character, experience and vision,” Okereke-Onyuike said.

The former NSE director-general urged the president-elect to leverage her tenure to leave a lasting legacy by building on the strong foundations laid by past leaders of the Institute.

According to her, Ahimie’s leadership should inspire younger female professionals and further demonstrate the value women bring to leadership, institution-building and national development.

Okereke-Onyuike also commended the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers for promoting gender inclusion and strengthening women’s participation in leadership positions within the capital market.

She expressed satisfaction with the growth of the Institute over the years, describing it as a globally competitive professional body that continues to play a critical role in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

The former NSE boss further praised successive CIS presidents for sustaining the vision of the Institute and expressed confidence that Ahimie would consolidate existing gains and lead the organisation to greater heights.