Business

NEXIM Bank Advances Inclusive Growth Through Women and Ethical Leadership

Published

4 weeks ago

April 16, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Export-Import Bank, Mr. Abba Bello, has positioned women, ethical standards, and strong institutional values as central pillars of the Bank’s strategy to drive inclusive growth and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness.

Speaking during activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Month, Bello emphasised that empowering women goes beyond symbolism, describing it as critical to societal stability and economic productivity.

Represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mr. Ibrahim Gaga, he stressed that women remain indispensable to both family and national development.

According to him, the role of women in society cannot be overstated, urging a shift in perception and greater respect for their contributions. He noted that when given leadership opportunities, women consistently demonstrate diligence, precision, and high performance.

Reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to institutional excellence, Executive Director, Business Development, Stella Okotete, highlighted the importance of workplace values in building trust and sustaining growth.

She linked inclusion directly to development outcomes, noting that when women support one another, institutions become stronger, communities more stable, and nations progress faster. She reaffirmed NEXIM Bank’s commitment to empowering women across Nigeria’s export value chain.

Offering a private sector perspective, Chief Executive Officer of Kulu Abuja, Hauwa Abdulkareem, advocated collaboration over competition among women.

Drawing from her experience, she emphasised the power of support networks, referrals, and visibility in advancing careers.

She challenged women to prioritise value creation over financial gain, encouraging a mindset focused on impact and contribution.

On governance and ethical leadership, legal practitioner and clergy, Sally William Chinedu, presented a three-pronged framework centred on values, ethics, and active sisterhood.

She described values as actions taken even in the absence of oversight, while defining ethics as a safeguard for reputation. She further called for intentional inclusion, urging organisations to amplify women’s voices and eliminate exclusionary practices.

Chinedu outlined practical steps for cultural transformation, encouraging individuals to uphold integrity, speak up for what is right, and actively support female colleagues in the workplace.

In her welcome remarks, Manager, Corporate Communications at NEXIM Bank, Lohya Mamven, reiterated the institution’s commitment to inclusivity.

She stressed that investing in women is not only a matter of equity but a catalyst for sustainable development and economic prosperity.

The event, themed “Give to Gain: Shaping Women for Leadership and Legacy,” underscored a clear policy direction: embedding strong values, enforcing ethical accountability, and promoting collaboration as key drivers of institutional performance and inclusive growth.

At its core, the message from NEXIM Bank was clear—“Give to Gain” is more than a theme; it is a governance approach aimed at building integrity, strengthening trust, and unlocking the full potential of women in advancing Nigeria’s economic future.

Share on Facebook

Agriculture

PULA, Leadway Assurance Disburse ₦396 Million to Climate-Affected Farmers, Strengthen Food Security Efforts

Published

3 weeks ago

April 24, 2026

The Gleamer

In a major intervention to shield smallholder farmers from climate shocks, agri-insurtech firm PULA has spearheaded the disbursement of ₦396,697,672 in insurance claims to over 40,000 farmers impacted during the 2025 wet season.

The payout, executed in partnership with Leadway Assurance and supported by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), covered farmers across Taraba, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau States who suffered climate-related losses.

The initiative was made possible in part by Bayer Foundation, whose $450,000 premium subsidy support in 2025 wet season helped lower the cost of insurance for thousands of vulnerable smallholders in 8 states, with 4 states receiving payouts. The Foundation is set to scale up its contribution to match the growing aspirations of state governments.

Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja during the 2025 Wet Season Insurance Claims Payout under the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM), PULA’s Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Enahoro, said the initiative goes beyond compensation, insisting that it’s about securing Nigeria’s food systems.

“Our focus is not just on payouts but on increasing food production. We must continue to support farmers who work tirelessly under harsh conditions to feed the nation,” Dr. Enahoro said. He called for stronger policies that directly impact farmers and reaffirmed PULA’s commitment to expanding agricultural insurance as a tool for resilience.

PULA’s data-driven approach to climate risk was key to identifying affected farmers and triggering payments. The company worked with Leadway Assurance to underwrite the risk, while PFSCU aligned the program with the national food security agenda. State governments also supported grassroots enrollment.

Gboyega Lesi, MD/CEO of Leadway Assurance, described the payout as “a reinforcement of a safety net that protects the hard work of thousands of farmers,” adding that “through climate insurance, we ensure that a bad season does not translate into total loss of livelihood.” He commended PULA’s technology and field structure for making rapid, transparent payouts possible.

Ayoola Fatona, Global Head of Agric Solutions at Leadway Assurance, noted that the 2025 wet season brought significant climate variability and yield fluctuations. “The true value of insurance lies in claims payment, especially in challenging periods. Our data-driven partnership with PULA helped mitigate losses,” he said.

Looking ahead, PULA and Leadway Assurance plan to scale coverage to 73,000 farmers in the 2026 farming season, deepening penetration of climate insurance across Nigeria’s food-producing belts.

Commissioners from the beneficiary states commended PULA and Leadway Assurance for de-risking agriculture, restoring farmers’ confidence, and building a more resilient agricultural sector

State-by-state breakdown of claims facilitated by PULA: