BY NGOZI ONYEAKUSI

The Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) has elected its first female chairman in its 36-year history, marking a significant milestone for the association and financial journalism in the country.

Bukola Aro-Lambo of Leadership Newspapers emerged as chairman during the association’s election held yesterday in Lagos, becoming the first woman to lead the body since its establishment in 1989.

Her emergence is seen by members as a defining moment for the association, which comprises journalists covering Nigeria’s financial services sector, including banking, capital markets, insurance, pensions, and the broader economy.

The election also produced a new set of executives to steer the affairs of the association for the next tenure.

Tony Chukwuyem of New Telegraph was elected vice chairman, while Abiola Ismail of MITV emerged as general secretary.

Others elected include Ebere Obike-Franklin of Radio Nigeria as assistant general secretary, Salamatu Ejembe of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) as financial secretary, and Comfort Ekeleme of Champion Newspapers as treasurer.

Members at the election described Aro-Lambo’s emergence as reflective of the growing role of women in Nigeria’s media and financial reporting landscape, noting that the development could encourage greater inclusiveness and diversity within the profession.

FICAN, one of the most influential beats associations in Nigeria’s media industry, plays a critical role in reporting and shaping conversations around monetary policy, banking reforms, capital market developments, inflation, exchange rates, pensions, insurance, and other macroeconomic issues.