Each role prepared the following roles, reinforcing the importance of continuous learning, leadership and seizing opportunities when they arise
In the financial industry, where still primarily dominated by men, Odiri Oginni carries space not only for herself, but for other women who are about to rise to leadership.
As CEO of United Capital Asset Management Limited, she oversees the company’s incredible growth.
In this interview with the Premium Times, Mrs. Ogini shares insights into her professional journey, challenges and her commitment to empowering women to lead.
PT: Tell us about your professional journey and how you became a CEO.
Mrs. Oginni: My professional journey began in 2006 at Deloitte as a qualified audit senior. This experience provided a strong foundation in financial reporting, risk management and strategic decision-making.
I later moved into the financial services industry and joined the CFO as UBA Global Markets, Boutique Investment Bank and UBA, a subsidiary of UBA.
Following the 2013 spinoff, UBA Global Markets became part of the United Capital Group and took on various senior finance roles.
In 2017 I was appointed Group CFO. This is a role that has greatly expanded the scope of leadership.
As CFO, I moved beyond traditional financial capabilities of reporting financial results, identifying growth opportunities, promoting profitability, and managing costs to leverage financial data to influence operational strategies and decision-making.
The ability to align finances with business strategies has positioned me for broader leadership.
In 2019, I was appointed CEO of United Capital Asset Management Limited. There, he became one of Nigeria’s largest asset managers, managing over N1 trillion assets across his multi-asset strategy.
Looking back, my journey has been shaped by strategic thinking, resilience and a commitment to promoting impact beyond numbers.
Each role prepared for the next role and reinforced the importance of continuing learning, leadership and seizing opportunities when they occurred.
PT: In your opinion, how do female leaders inspire and empower others around them, especially other women?
MS OGINNI: When women leaders precede their example, they inspire and empower other women, especially other women.
By stepping into leadership roles with confidence and competentness, they break barriers and demonstrate that success is possible.
Seeing women excel in a male-dominated space limits their beliefs and encourages others to aim higher.
Additionally, female leaders understand the challenges of navigating industries with gender bias, so they are often intentionally about mentoring, sponsoring and advocacy for other women.
They open doors, provide guidance and create opportunities that will help more women step into leadership.
Furthermore, women often bring empathy and collaboration to leadership, fostering an environment in which diverse voices are valued.
This inclusivity strengthens the organization, makes it more innovative, and allows more women to flourish.
Ultimately, female leaders inspire not only through achievements but through their commitment to uplifting others. As one woman stands up, she paves the way for more people to follow. It creates a ripple effect that changes industry and society for the better.
PT: What do you think is unique about women in their leadership roles compared to men?
Mrs. Oginni: I believe that women bring intention, credibility and empathy to leadership in ways that make women stand out. They lead with purpose and promote an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued.
The ability to connect at a deeper level is effective in building strong teams and driving collaboration.
Quality like empathy and authenticity can sometimes be perceived as soft skills, but in reality it is a strong leadership trait, especially when combined with confidence and ability.
Women who embrace these strengths can lead in both influence and influence, and can reshape their leadership in ways that lead to long-term success.
PT: What challenges have you faced as a woman in your industry and how have you overcome them?
Mrs. Ogini: As a woman in the financial industry who had held leadership positions from an early age, my biggest challenge was to own my voice in the room where I was often the youngest leader.
Early in my career, I sometimes re-estimated myself, even if I was completely capable. The financial industry, like many others, has traditionally been dominated by men and has had to break through both resilience and deliberate efforts.
This challenge was overcome by focusing on three things: building expertise, developing a strong support network, and adopting visibility.
First, I invested in continuous learning to ensure I am always confident and confident in my knowledge.
Secondly, I was surrounded by mentors and sponsors (either male or female) who provided guidance and opportunities.
Finally, I learned to speak up, take up space, own my achievements, and realize that ability alone isn’t enough. Visibility is important.
Over time I realized that my unique perspective and leadership style is an asset rather than a limitation.
Today, I strive to support and mentor other women who navigate similar challenges, ensuring they step into leadership with confidence and boldness.
PT: Can you share one of the most rewarding moments of your career with a solid passion for leadership?
Mrs. Oginni: Assuming the role of CEO of United Capital Asset Management Limited was one of the most important and rewarding moments of my career. At the time I didn’t think I was ready for the role or even qualified for it – all formal qualifications and extensive industry experience.
Like many women, I fought with con man syndrome and questioned whether I really belonged to such a high stakes leadership position.
But I stepped into this role and reaffirmed my belief in the power of preparation, resilience and intentional leadership, leading the company to become one of Nigeria’s biggest asset managers.
I saw firsthand how driving real impact can have by making strategic decisions, building strong teams, and leading confidently. More importantly, it solidified my passion for leadership. It’s about not only providing business outcomes, but also mentoring and empowering the next generation of female leaders in finance.
That experience taught me a valuable lesson. We are often more prepared than we think. Growth occurs when we accept opportunities, even if they feel daunting.
Today, I encourage women to bet on themselves, take bold steps, and to own their leadership journey with confidence.
PT: What advice would you give to young Nigerian women who are aiming to become leaders in their field?
Mrs. Oginni: I advise young Nigerian women who aim to build capacity, build relationships and focus on three key strategies to make them visible.
Building Capacity – Excellence opens the door. Invest in your skills, continue to learn and position yourself as an expert in your field. Ability gives you confidence and ensures you are ready to grab them when opportunities arise.
Building relationships – Success is rarely achieved on its own. Surround yourself with mentors, sponsors and peers who challenge and support you. A proper networking will provide guidance, open doors and help you navigate the challenges.
Visible – Hard work alone is not enough. People need to know what you bring to the table. He speaks up, takes on leadership roles, shares insights, and presents results. Visibility ensures that opportunities will find you.
Leadership is a journey and challenges may come, but resilience and intentionality will set you apart. Stay focused, push boundaries, and own space with confidence.
PT: How do you balance the demands of being a CEO with other aspects of your personal life?
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Mrs. Oginni: Balancing the demands of being a CEO in a personal life is not a perfect formula, but a continuous journey. Instead of striving for a strict work-life balance, I focus on work-life integration and realize that different aspects of my life are prioritized at different times. The goal is to ensure that I thrive in all roles that are important to me.
I’ve also learned to delegate. Trusting and empowering my team makes me take a step back when I need it and make sure my work doesn’t consume me completely. At the same time, I learned to set boundaries – fully present with my family, prioritize my health, and make time for rest and reflection.
It also relies on the powerful support system that it has built over the years. For professional collaboration and personal encouragement, I can give birth to someone I can attract.
PT: The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “accelerating action.” What does this theme mean to you and how does it reflect your leadership approach?
Mrs. Oginni: “Accelerate Action” means creating a sense of urgency in filling gender gaps, regardless of representatives of financial literacy, investment participation, and leadership.
It is moving beyond the conversation to empower women financially and implement concrete solutions that position women for long-term success.
As a leader, I embrace this theme by driving initiatives that break down women’s barriers to finance and investment. Through research, advocacy and mentorship, I am committed to viable change. Women are not merely included, but are fully equipped to thrive in financial decision-making and leadership.
To truly accelerate action, we must challenge outdated norms, implement policies that promote inclusion, and create a platform where women can grow and lead with confidence.
The interview was conducted in partnership with women from Management, Business and Public Services (Wimbiz), a Nigerian nonprofit organization committed to advance and empowering women’s leadership. Mrs. Oginni is also a member of Wimbiz.
