Aishah Ahmad
Aishah Ndanusa Ahmad | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 26, 1976 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Occupation(s) | Accountant, banker, financial analyst |
| Years active | 2001–2023 |
| Known for | Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria |
Aishah Ndanusa Ahmad (born 26 October 1976) is a Nigerian professional specializing in accounting and finance. She was appointed as the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on 6 October 2017, succeeding Sarah Alade. The Nigerian Senate officially confirmed her appointment on 22 March 2018. Ahmad received a second five-year term on 6 December 2022, with confirmation following on 14 December 2022. Nevertheless, on 15 September 2023, President Bola Tinubu dismissed her along with three other deputy governors, citing alleged shortcomings in corporate governance at the Central Bank.
Background and education
Born into a Nupe Muslim household from Bida, Ahmad entered the world in Lagos on 26 October 1976. Her early education took place at St. Catherine's Primary School in Surulere, Lagos, and Zarumai Primary School in Minna. She completed her secondary schooling at Federal Government Girls College, Bida. Ahmad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Abuja, an MBA specializing in Finance from the University of Lagos, and a Master of Science degree in Finance and Management from the Cranfield School of Management. Additionally, she is an INSEAD Certified Board Director and earned an Economic Development Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School. Professionally, she is recognized as both a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Career
Prior to her tenure at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) starting in 2018, Ahmad built an impressive career across banking and finance sectors. She notably held the position of Executive Director for Retail Banking at Diamond Bank Plc. Her professional journey began as an auditor with Z.O. Ososanya & Company before advancing to Chief Financial Officer at Manstructs Group Ltd.
Ahmad’s banking career commenced in 2001 when she joined First Interstate Bank (Nigeria) Plc as Executive Assistant within the Treasury Group. She subsequently managed Private Banking operations at NAL Bank Plc until 2005. Following this, she assumed leadership roles at Zenith Bank Group, including Head of Retail Banking for the Energy Group and Group Head of Asset Management Business Development. Between 2009 and 2014, she occupied various senior positions at Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, such as Head of Private Clients/High Net Worth Individuals, before transitioning to Diamond Bank to oversee retail banking. Ahmad stepped down from Diamond Bank upon her appointment to the CBN. Her experience also extends to roles with the Bank of New York Mellon and Synesix Financial Limited.
Since 2017, Ahmad has chaired the board of SOS Children's Villages, an international nonprofit focused on development initiatives. She also led the executive council of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), a Nigerian nonprofit organization she helped found in 2001.
During her service at CBN, Ahmad held the role of Deputy Governor responsible for Financial System Stability. She participated actively on several key bodies including the Governing Board, Monetary Policy Committee, Financial System Stability Committee, and Committee of Governors. Her leadership extended to chairing the boards of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX), and Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC).
Sale of Polaris Bank
In December 2022, the Peoples Gazette reported allegations that Ahmad played a role in facilitating the sale of Polaris Bank at a discounted price, purportedly to secure her appointment as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). These assertions were refuted by the CBN, which clarified that the transaction was an institutional decision managed by senior officials from both AMCON and the CBN, with coordination from external legal and financial consultants. The approval process involved the leadership teams of Polaris Bank and the acquiring entity, Strategic Capital Investment Limited. The CBN further stated that no superior bids had been submitted.
On 10 September 2023, news emerged claiming that Nigeria’s secret police had detained Ahmad in connection with the Polaris Bank sale. Nevertheless, other sources contested these reports. Subsequently, on 15 September 2023, Ahmad, along with fellow Deputy Governors Edward Adamu, Kingsley Obiora, and Folashodun Shonubi, were officially relieved of their duties.
Personal life
Ahmad is married to Abdallah A. Ahmad, a retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army, and together they have two children.
External links
- Living people
- 1976 births
- University of Abuja alumni
- University of Lagos alumni
- Alumni of Cranfield University
- Nigerian Muslims
- Nigerian accountants
- Nigerian women accountants
- Nigerian bankers
- Nigerian financial analysts
- CFA charterholders
- Nigerian women in business
- Women in finance
- Nigerian investment bankers
- People from Bida
- Central bankers