L-R: 1st Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS),
Dr Akeem Oyewale;
14th President and Chairman of Council, Dr Fiona Ahimie;
former Director-General of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (now NGX), Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyuike; 2nd Vice President, Jude Chiemeka and Registrar and Chief Executive, Ayorinde Adeonipekun during a courtesy visit to Okereke-Onyuike in Lagos Tuesday ahead of Ahimie’s inauguration.
Former Director-General of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (now NGX), Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, has described the emergence of Dr Fiona Ahimie, the first female and 14th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), as a historic breakthrough for gender inclusion and leadership within Nigeria’s capital market.
Professor Okereke-Onyuike made the remarks when she hosted Dr Ahimie and a high-powered delegation from the Institute on a courtesy visit ahead of the President-Elect’s inauguration scheduled for June 25, 2026.
The delegation, which comprised the Immediate Past President of the Institute, Oluropo Dada; the First and Second Principal Officers, Dr Akeem Oyewale and Jude Chiemeka, respectively; and the Registrar/Chief Executive, Ayo Adeonipekun, visited the former Director-General of The Nigerian Stock Exchange as part of preparations for the inauguration ceremony.
During the visit, Dr Ahimie formally invited Professor Okereke-Onyuike to attend the historic event.
Welcoming the delegation, Professor Okereke-Onyuike expressed delight at the election of Dr Ahimie, noting that her emergence represents a defining moment in the 30-year history of the Institute and a significant milestone for women in the financial services sector.
She commended the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers for demonstrating confidence in the leadership capacity of women and for taking a bold step towards strengthening gender balance in the profession.
“The election of Dr 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,” she said.
Professor Okereke-Onyuike urged the President-Elect to leverage the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by building on the strong foundation laid by successive presidents of the Institute.
According to her, Dr Ahimie’s tenure should serve as an inspiration to younger female professionals while demonstrating the immense value women bring to leadership, institution-building and national development.
Responding, Dr Ahimie said “ 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. 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.”
The former Director-General also expressed satisfaction with the remarkable growth of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers over the years, noting that the Institute has continued to evolve into a globally competitive professional body with increasing relevance in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
She praised the leadership of past presidents for sustaining the vision of the Institute and expressed confidence that Dr Ahimie would build on existing achievements and lead the organisation to greater heights.
Earlier, introducing the President-Elect, Chief Oluropo Dada explained that it is a longstanding tradition of the Institute to pay courtesy visits to eminent stakeholders and distinguished personalities within the capital market ahead of the inauguration of a new President.
