Risikatu Ladi Ahmed, a seasoned banker from Gombe State, has been making waves in the housing and financial sectors with her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence.
In 2022, she was confirmed as the first female Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of ASO Savings and Loans Plc, a significant achievement in a sector where women are often underrepresented.
Shareholders ratified her appointment during the bank’s 16th and 17th Annual General Meetings (AGM) held in Kano on July 13, 2022. The shareholders’ decision to appoint Risikatu Ahmed as MD/CEO, effective from May 1, 2021, came after the approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Her confirmation marked a turning point for the mortgage bank, which has long been a critical player in Nigeria’s housing sector. Since stepping into this role, Risikatu has led the bank through a period of revitalization, pushing forward an aggressive loan recovery plan and implementing a new business strategy aimed at returning the bank to profitability. This has been instrumental in repositioning ASO Savings and Loans Plc as a top mortgage bank in the country.
Risikatu Ahmed brings nearly three decades of experience in the banking and legal sectors. Her professional journey is marked by her relentless pursuit of excellence and her ability to navigate complex challenges in the financial industry. Before her appointment as MD/CEO, she served as an Executive Director at ASO Savings and Loans Plc from 2015 to 2021, leading the Corporate Services Directorate, Human Capital, Employee Relations, Supply Chain Operations, and Technology Group. Her leadership in these areas laid the foundation for her current role as MD/CEO, where she continues to drive growth and innovation in the bank.
Her expertise is not limited to banking alone. As a lawyer, Risikatu holds an LLB from the University of Maiduguri and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1990. She also holds a Master’s degree in Law (LLM) from the University of Jos and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. In addition, she has undertaken executive-level education at Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, USA, and Harvard Business School, further solidifying her global perspective and strategic capabilities.
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Before joining ASO Savings and Loans Plc, Risikatu worked at Diamond Bank Plc for 16 years, where she held several managerial and leadership positions. Her outstanding performance at Diamond Bank earned her numerous commendations and awards, proving her mettle as a transformative leader. Her banking career began at Continental Merchant Bank Plc, Lagos, during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, and she later moved to Savannah Bank Plc, where she worked from 1993 to 1999 before joining Diamond Bank.
Since her appointment as MD/CEO of ASO Savings and Loans Plc, the bank has witnessed a significant turnaround under her leadership. Her efforts to reposition the bank have been lauded by industry experts and shareholders alike, who are optimistic about the bank’s future. The reconstituted board, which includes professionals from various sectors, is set to take the bank to new heights, and Risikatu’s strategic direction is central to this goal.
Risikatu’s leadership extends beyond the corporate boardroom. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB), a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria (FICA), and a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ). Her involvement in these organizations reflects her commitment to gender equality and her dedication to empowering women in the banking and legal sectors.
She has also been a keynote speaker at numerous housing and banking-related programs, including the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), CIBN-USA Branch Conference and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) USA conference, where she shared her insights on leadership, mortgage, housing and banking excellence. Her voice is one that continues to inspire both men and women across the housing and financial sector.
Some notable Nigerians have praised Risikatu for her success including the Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Binta, representing Kaltungo and Shongom Federal Constituency, and the Coordinator of AIHS, Festus Adebayo.
Risikatu’s role as a mentor is one she takes seriously, as she is passionate about nurturing the next generation of leaders in the housing and financial sector. Her journey is a source of inspiration to many, particularly women who aspire to break barriers in male-dominated industries.
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As the first female MD/CEO of ASO Savings and Loans Plc, Risikatu is breaking the glass ceiling for women in Nigeria’s banking, housing and mortgage industry. Her leadership is a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. She has paved the way for other women to rise to leadership positions and continues to set an example through her remarkable achievements.
Risikatu Ladi Ahmed’s story is one of perseverance, excellence, and visionary leadership. Her contributions to the housing and banking sectors in Nigeria will be remembered for years to come, and her legacy as a trailblazer for women in leadership positions is already well established. As she continues to lead ASO Savings and Loans Plc into a new era of growth and innovation, there is no doubt that her impact will be felt across the African housing sector and beyond.
