Inetina Ebitonmor is an experienced leader of financial markets with almost two decades of experience navigating world capital markets. In this interview with according to Adebayo, she talks about her role in the configuration of investment strategies between the sectors and what African women should do to break the barriers and generate influence.
You have spent almost two decades sailing through global financial markets. Looking back when it began in 2005, what initially attracted it to finances and what kept him committed to industry all these years?
I started my career in January 2005 at Investment Banking and Trust Company (IBTC), later Stanbic Ibtc Asset Management under the Standard banking group, as an assistant bank officer. Attracted by great interest in how capital markets could unlock customer growth while managing risk, I quickly progressed in the investment and asset management division in 2007 as sales and relations manager. There, I concentrated on mutual funds and capital portfolios for oil and gas cooperatives and high -level network individuals, achieving 500% growth in assets under administration in just 18 months through custom investment solutions, optimal service and a proactive participation of the client.
In the last more than 18 years, what has kept me compromised is the nature in constant evolution of financial markets: there are no two equal cycles. As of January 2009 at Stanbic Ibtc Bank (Standard Bank Group), I served as Global Market Sales Manager – Customer Coverage and later in September 2017 as Director – Sales of Financial Markets – Customer Coverage. In these leadership roles, I guided companies, institutional clients and executives of C-Suite in multiple sectors and regions, helping them navigate complexity, optimize risk exhibitions and achieve sustainable growth.
You said that at the beginning of your career, you grew from management markedly in just 18 months. How did you achieve that?
That early growth arose to truly listen to my customers and understand both their investment profiles and their risk appetites. At Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, I concentrated on mutual funds and capital portfolios administered for oil and gas cooperatives and high value in the network. By adapting investment solutions to align with customer objectives, mitigate risks and add value proactively through insightful orientation, I helped customers preserve capital during volatile market periods while capturing growth opportunities. This approach not only promoted a 500 percent increase in assets under administration within 18 months, but also created lasting confidence and demonstrated my commitment to create a measurable impact on the client.
How have customer relations influenced the way in which it addresses problems in financial markets?
Part of the strength of my career lies in balancing the technical experience with strong communication skills, analytics and people. In financial markets, success is never just about executing transactions: it is about understanding the business model, the objectives and risk exhibitions of each client. That perspective shapes the way I address problem solving.
I stay closely committed to customers, providing real -time market updates, processable ideas and proactive recommendations. This advisory approach not only helps customers protect value, optimize income, reduce volatility and make more informed decisions, but also generates confidence at C-Suite and institutional level. Over time, these reliable relationships have become long -term associations that promote income growth, strengthen balances and offer sustainable commercial results.
He has also directed digital transformation initiatives such as increasing the adoption of FX digital platforms. What is the most exciting about the role of technology in the configuration of the future of financial markets?
What is most excited about technology in financial markets is its ability to improve the speed, transparency and client participation, while allowing more informed and conscious decisions of risk. Leading the transformation of the FX digital platform in Western Africa, which focused mainly on FX flow transactions, I increased customer adoption by 60% and reduced transaction response times to half. This improvement increased FX transactions volumes by 25 percent, simplified processing and improved general efficiency and customer productivity.
Digital execution helps customers optimize efficiency, transparency and risk management by reducing operational errors, providing market access in real time and allowing better monitoring of FX positions and exhibitions. The impact on its final result is tangible: lower transaction costs, reduced sliding, smarter cash flow management and less operational losses, all contributing to better profitability and protected margins.
The delivery of an average of 30 percent plus an interannual average income growth for more than a decade is not a small feat. Could you share a time behind the scene in which a risk that it took or a strategy that you designed made a turn point difference for a customer?
For me, it always begins with the understanding of the business and customer exhibitions. Once he understands it, his approach becomes clear: optimize the risk, maximize yields and support sustainable growth. I discovered that participating proactively to customers with market updates in real time, forecasts and clear explanations of complex structures that add value to your business deepens confidence and guarantees that transactions follow.
With several clients, I constantly delivered the FX flows, supported the increase in commercial volumes and guaranteed that the credit limits were in force in front of the market movements and was seen as an added value. This advisory approach led me to offer income growth of 30%+ Yoy for more than a decade, turning complex challenges into added value solutions.
For example, I guided oil and gas, FMCG and manufacturing customers, who had previously executed only FX vanilla operations, to adopt derived strategies ranging from $ 2 million to $ 200 million, which allows them to cover coverage as necessary, stabilize cash flows and refresh the balances. The same approach was adopted with my clients who were already familiar with derivative transactions.
It was even presented by the BBC for its impact on women’s leadership. How made you reflect that recognition about the broader purpose of your career beyond financial success?
Be presented by the BBC for my impact on well -being, leadership and gender equity of girls and women was a deeply humiliating moment. Although my career in financial markets has always focused on offering results, optimizing risk, boosting income and advising customers in FX, derivatives and structured solutions, recalled that success is not only measured in financial results.
This recognition reinforced the broader purpose and the domino effect of my career: tutoring, empowerment and creation of a lasting impact. Through the yellow table talk, we equip girls and women with improved well -being, leadership and trust skills. Focusing holistic welfare along with leadership and career growth has changed the game, since research shows a strong correlation between well -being and personal, professional and leadership development. These programs help participants make informed decisions, navigate in challenges and improve their personal and leadership growth, preparing them to become future leaders and creators of changes.
Balancing such a work driven by the impact with family life as a wife and mother of three children must be demanding. What strategies or personal philosophies help you juggle with these multiple worlds without losing your sense of oneself?
Some talk about the “balance between work and life”, but I have learned that it is really the integration and intentional elections.
As a wife, mother of three children and professional of financial markets, I concentrate on what matters most at all times, delegate where I can and seek support to relieve the load as necessary.
Whether I am at a customer meeting or structuring transactions for customers, advising young women or spending time with my family, I effort to be completely present. It is not a perfect balance: it is an intentional alignment, where work, family and initiatives driven by impact are complemented and strengthened with each other, instead of competing.
You have had influential roles in Nigeria, West Africa and the United Kingdom. From their perspective, what unique strengths Nigeria contribute to the world financial markets that may not always see the world?
Nigeria provides unique strengths to global financial markets that are often underestimated. Its digital innovation ecosystem is among the most vibrant of Africa, with more than 430 new Fintech companies and $ 1.6 billion in mobile transactions in 2024. With a population of 230 million, mainly under 25 years, Nigeria offers scale, talent and a dynamic consumer base.
Macroeconomic reforms such as the investment law and values ​​of 2025 and the FX unification are increasing stability, transparency and capital increase opportunities. The Nigerian exchange (NGX) reached the historical maximums in 2025, with a foreign participation of 27%, pointing out the growing investor confidence. Nigerian financial companies and institutions show resilience and adaptability, and as the financial door of Western Africa, Nigeria is increasingly a strategic partner for the performance, innovation and growth of the border market.
Many young women aspire to enter finance, but they often see it as intimidating or dominated by men. What would you say to a 22 -year -old woman who wants to follow a path similar to yours?
For a 22 -year -old woman who aspires to enter the financial markets, I would say this, start with people, not products. The strongest relationships I have built did not start with strategy mallets or sales calls: they started listening.
By prioritizing the real needs of customers over thrust products, I saw that trust will be deepened, increased customer satisfaction, as well as income growth.
In finance, either in leadership, credit, strategy or client management, avoid surface responses. Go deeper. Ask “why.” That’s where real solutions live, and it is also how you stand out in a competitive field.
Do not be intimidated by the perception of finance as the dominated man. His ability to listen, really question and understand his client’s business and others in M, is not a soft skill, is a power ability. Use it with courage.
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