In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, the Nigerian chapter of the London Business School (LBS) Alumni Community hosted a high-level brunch and fireside chat in Lagos, headlined by Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Group Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc.
The exclusive event, which brought together top executives across finance, FMCG, investment, and other sectors, centered around this year’s global theme, “Accelerate Action.” But it was Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s compelling story and leadership philosophy that captured the attention and admiration of the distinguished audience.
As the first female CEO in Fidelity Bank’s history, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe shared how she has navigated the financial services industry with a bold, values-driven approach. “I have personally never acknowledged the gender glass ceiling in my career—or in anything in my life,” she said. “When something looks like a barrier, I see it as motivation to go even harder.”
Her remarks highlighted the transformative impact of resilience, discipline, and strategic risk-taking, which have defined her career and tenure at Fidelity Bank. Under her leadership, the bank has achieved record financial results while advancing innovation, diversity, and financial inclusion.
“Don’t fear failure,” she urged. “It’s part of the process. Every misstep has taught me something that helped me get better.” Her insights resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom viewed her journey as a source of motivation and affirmation.
Beyond business, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe emphasized the importance of balance and holistic well-being for women in leadership. “Learning to balance family and career is not just important for business success—it’s important for success in life,” she noted.
As an advocate for gender equity, she acknowledged the increasing number of women leading in Nigeria’s financial sector—11 out of 26 commercial bank CEOs are now women—but stressed the need to push further. “That’s progress, but we must not stop there. We want to see that number go to 14, 15, and beyond.”
President of the LBS Alumni Community Nigeria, Akintayo Sanwo-Olu, commended Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s contribution to the forum and reinforced the school’s commitment to empowering women in leadership. “As a community, we’re not just talking about change—we’re building it,” he said.
Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s participation marked a defining moment for the forum, serving not only as a keynote speaker but also as a symbol of what is possible when women lead with courage, clarity, and purpose.
The event further cemented the LBS Alumni Community’s role in advancing inclusive leadership and fostering meaningful conversations that drive progress in Nigeria’s corporate landscape.