“Financial inclusion is not just about access—it’s about empowerment, opportunity and economic progress.”
Adeola Ogunfiade Agbato (DBA) Head of Insights &, Policy Advocacy at FITC Nigeria, is a strong advocate for innovation and inclusivity in the financial services sector. With technology reshaping the industry and FinTechs driving rapid transformation, she highlights the immense potential for growth through digital financial solutions. However, she also underscores the critical need to bridge financial inclusion gaps, particularly for underserved populations, including women.
Through her expertise in policy advocacy and insights, Deola is dedicated to shaping frameworks that foster innovation, expand financial access, and drive long-term economic sustainability. Her vision is to create a financial ecosystem where technology and inclusivity go hand in hand, ensuring that no one is left behind in the evolving financial landscape.
A Lifelong Learner’s Journey
Deola describes herself as a lifelong learner—a trait she attributes to the unwavering investment of her parents, Enoch and Florence Ogunfiade, in her education and exposure. From an early age, they nurtured her growth through books, education, and travel, shaping the foundation of who she is today. She expresses deep gratitude for their influence, acknowledging that their dedication instilled in her an enduring passion for knowledge and continuous learning.
Shaping Talent in Financial Services
By leveraging over two decades of experience in banking and learning & development, Deola drives talent growth in the financial services sector. With a first degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, Nigeria followed by a Master’s from the University of Wales, Cardiff, U.K and a Doctorate specializing in Leadership & Governance from Walden University, U.S., she has honed strategic thinking and analytical skills essential for talent development.
Her background in Retail Banking, Credit and Marketing provides firsthand industry knowledge, enabling her to curate impactful learning programs and thought leadership conferences. Additionally, FITCs investment in her continuous professional development through local and international training has further strengthened her expertise as a Learning and Development Consultant.
Driving Growth Through Visionary Leadership
Deola attributes the department’s rapid success—surpassing 100% of its revenue target in her first year—to the transformative leadership of FITCs MD/CEO, Dr. Chizor Malize. Under Dr. Malize’s vision, the formerly internally focused research department evolved into an entrepreneurial and innovation-driven Insight and policy advocacy department centered on thought leadership and strategic insights.
The department’s Thought Leadership Conferences serve as platforms for industry experts and stakeholders to address critical business challenges in areas such as Talent Management, FinTech, ESG, and Cybersecurity. Deola emphasizes that working with a highly visionary leader like Dr. Malize has significantly enhanced her leadership capabilities.
Additionally, she credits her success to a team of talented and passionate professionals who have collectively driven the department’s remarkable growth.
Strengthening Governance for Sustainable Growth
Deola’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Leadership and Corporate Governance provided her with deep insights into the role of governance and leadership during the 2008/9 global financial crises. Her research on Nigerian banking governance during the global financial crisis highlighted critical lapses that contributed to instability in the sector. However, she acknowledges the significant reforms that have since strengthened governance frameworks in the industry.
This academic foundation influences her current work by reinforcing the importance of corporate governance structures in ensuring organizational sustainability. When designing Corporate Governance programs, she presents data-driven insights on how weak governance practices negatively impact performance. By aligning programs with real-world case studies, she effectively secures buy-in from top leadership, emphasizing their crucial role in fostering a culture of ethical governance and long-term resilience.
Bridging Banking Expertise & Learning
Deola’s approach to designing and delivering training programs in corporate governance, management, and leadership within the financial services sector is deeply informed by her firsthand experience as a former business (branch) manager at one of Nigeria’s leading banks. This background gave her a practical understanding of banking operations, which she integrated into her role as a Learning Professional.
Her methodology begins with a thorough Training Needs Analysis (TNA), working closely with HR and Training Heads to identify learning gaps. Recognizing the sector’s evolving nature, she emphasizes a futuristic approach, preparing professionals for the impact of AI, emerging job roles, and the changing landscape of financial services.
Additionally, her training programs blend an international perspective with localized case studies, ensuring relevance and effective knowledge transfer.
Leading with Influence & Impact
Deola, as a Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Trainer, and Coach, incorporates Maxwell’s leadership concepts into her programs of development by focusing on the importance of people and their individual contributions. This approach aligns with Maxwell’s philosophy of servant leadership, which emphasizes serving others and fostering a supportive environment where individuals can thrive and contribute their best efforts.
Her certification has enhanced her ability to understand different personalities in the workplace, enabling her to build stronger, more cohesive teams. Additionally, she applies coaching principles to mentor her team members, guiding them toward personal and professional growth. By creating an environment that values collaboration and individual development, she has successfully cultivated high-performing teams that drive impactful results.
Strengthening Governance for a Resilient Financial Future
Deola acknowledges the significant improvements in corporate governance within Nigerian financial institutions since the 2008/2009 global financial crisis. However, she emphasizes the need for further enhancements to effectively navigate future global financial challenges.
She advocates for the establishment of Technology Committees on Boards to ensure proper oversight as financial institutions increasingly adopt emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, while Nigerian banks have made giant strides in gender diversity at the board level, other industries in the financial services sector must bridge the gap to fully leverage the value women bring to corporate governance.
She emphasises that corporate governance should be fully integrated across all sectors to ensure its full benefits. With the rapid rise of FinTechs driving financial inclusion, she urges them to implement strong governance frameworks to ensure long-term sustainability, attract international investors, and enhance talent retention.
Navigating Leadership Challenges in Financial Services
Deola highlights key leadership challenges in the financial services sector, particularly the rapid pace of technological advancement and its associated risks. While technology has brought immense benefits, it has also introduced heightened cyber threats, leaving many corporate executives concerned about security and data protection.
Another pressing challenge is the high geographical mobility of talent, making it difficult for organizations to retain skilled professionals. To address these issues, continuous learning and upskilling are crucial for leaders navigating the evolving business landscape.
Through FITCs Board Leadership and Executive Training Programmes, Deola and her team equip executives with the knowledge and skills needed to stay ahead, integrating global best practices with localized insights. Additionally, FITCs annual Employee Engagement and Experience Thought Leadership Conference provides a platform for industry leaders to discuss pressing talent issues and develop strategic solutions for workforce retention and development.
Driving Growth and Inclusion in Financial Services
Deola identifies FinTech as a key driver of growth in the financial services sector. With the increasing digitization of financial products, technology will continue to shape the future of banking and financial transactions.
However, she notes that financial inclusion remains an area for improvement, particularly in ensuring that more women gain access to financial services. While serving financially excluded populations may seem unprofitable in the short term due to geographic, infrastructure and economic constraints; she emphasizes that neglecting this critical segment means missing out on their potential contributions to the economy.
Through her role in policy advocacy and insights, Deola is committed to promoting frameworks that encourage inclusive financial policies, fostering innovation in FinTech, and ensuring that financial services are accessible to all, ultimately driving sustainable economic growth.
