E12- Aishah Ahmad

Aishah N. Ahmad is a central banker, board leader, and global financial expert with over 28 years of experience across public policy, financial services, and governance.

A trailblazer in her field, she made history as the first female Deputy Governor for Financial System Stability at the Central Bank of Nigeria, where she played a pivotal role in shaping financial policy, preserving stability—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—and driving record growth in real sector credit. Her leadership helped deliver key financial reforms, including the landmark Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA 2020), whilst improving financial inclusion by a record 11% and pioneering Nigeria’s first International Financial Inclusion Conference.

With a career spanning wealth management, banking, and regulatory leadership, Aishah has a proven track record of driving innovation, aligning diverse stakeholders, shaping policy and transforming ecosystems. She has been instrumental in cementing Nigeria’s position as a global hub for payments innovation, introducing policies that significantly expanded electronic transactions and digital financial services.

Aishah holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and INSEAD’s International Director’s Programme (IDP-C) designations, bringing a deep expertise in financial markets and governance. She currently serves as a board member at SOS Children’s Villages International and the Financial Alliance for Women and is a trustee of Women in Management, Business & Public Service (WIMBIZ). Previously, she chaired the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), the country’s primary payments market infrastructure.

Beyond finance, Aishah is a passionate advocate for gender equity, mentoring thousands of women through initiatives like the 100 Women Breakfast and WIMBIZ’s Big Sister Programme, which has impacted over 8,000 teenage girls in public secondary schools in Nigeria. During her tenure at the CBN, she institutionalized female empowerment as a strategic priority, contributing to female CEO representation in Nigeria’s banking sector reaching an all-time high of 25%.

A regular speaker at global forums, including the World Bank/IMF, Harvard Kennedy School, and Saïd Business School, Oxford University, Aishah is widely recognized for her contributions to finance and gender advocacy. In 2023, she was honored with the national award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) for her impact on Nigeria’s financial sector.

She holds an MSc in Finance & Management from Cranfield School of Management, an MBA in Finance from the University of Lagos, and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Abuja.

Aishah Ahmad is committed to championing financial stability, inclusive growth, and the next generation of leaders.

Listen to find out how Aishah has found success in different aspects of her life, and what she would put in the guide...