In the ever-changing world of the Nigerian banking sector, not many stories are as quietly powerful and determinedly iconic as that of Yemisi Edun, the first female CEO of First City Monument Bank (FCMB). Her journey which began in the chemical laboratories of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU ), Ile Ife, Osun state, is one of perseverance, transformation, and vision.

Started with an inherent curiosity and a drive for paying attention to details, Yemisi’s academic roots were initially grounded in Chemistry. On the other hand, just as the journey of many great business leaders, the OAU Chemistry graduate’s beginnings did not hold her back. She took a daring path, one that would eventually revolutionise her career and place her at the helms of affairs of one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, FCMB.

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Currently, she leads no fewer than 8,000 employees at FCMB. FCMB is a forward-thinking Nigerian bank hinged on driving financial inclusion, corporate social responsibilities, and among other public services. The FCMB CEO’s rise to the peak of her career was not from sudden success. Yemisi was deliberate from Day One of her career path. She followed a structured journey, spanning nearly 30 years.

The FCMB CEO’s first litmus test into the financial industry came in 1987, when she joined Akintola Williams Deloitte, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Focusing on Corporate Finance, Yemisi  worked on the audits of banks and other financial institutions. Her work at Akintola Williams Deloitte exposed her to the intricacies of Nigeria’s financial sector at a granular level. That foundational experience moulded her deep understanding of fiscal discipline, operational systems, and the interplay between audit and strategy.

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In 2000, she joined FCMB as Divisional Head of Internal Audit and Control. While in this role, she established her leadership qualities. By 2007, Yemisi Edun’s impact had earned her the role of Chief Financial Officer, a position in which she not only managed the Bank’s finances but played key roles in long-term business planning and governance.

Her meteoric rise continued. In 2015, FCMB appointed her as Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer. This role was a proof of her unshakeable performance, resilience, and trust among the FCMB leadership. Finally, following approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bank appointed Yemisi Edun as the Managing Director/CEO effective May 1, 2021.

Under her leadership, FCMB has been championing causes like food security, affordable clean energy, youth and women empowerment. Yemisi Edun is not just building a strong financial institution, she is building a movement. Through her strategic innovation and bold leadership qualities, Yemisi is leading FCMB’s mission to create a more inclusive and sustainable future for millions across Nigeria.

On her academics, training and professional résumé, they are as well rich as her career history. She holds a Master’s degree in International Accounting and Finance from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. In addition, Yemisi Edun is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). She is a Charterholder, and a Certified Information Systems Auditor. She is also an Associate Member of both the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and the Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), United States.

The FCMB CEO’s story is not just about breaking the ceiling, but about redefining what’s possible. From chemistry classrooms to corporate boardrooms, Yemisi Edun has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is born from courage, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to influence.

As a woman in a historically male-dominated sector, Yemisi Edun stands as a shining light of what’s achievable when intellect meets integrity, and when opportunity is matched with preparation.

Mrs. Edun’s story is not just inspiring, it is a motivation for the next generation of Nigerian women who are aspiring to become CEOs and founders in the business, and financial sector.