The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria has conferred an honorary fellowship on the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Parallex Bank Limited, Dr Adeola Phillips, in recognition of her outstanding leadership, professional excellence, and contributions to Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors.
The investiture ceremony, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, National Theatre, Lagos, brought together leading figures in banking, business, and public policy.
The President and Chairman of the Council of CIBN, Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, congratulated the honourees, noting that each recipient had “distinctly earned the honour through their dedication, ethical leadership, and immense contributions to the banking industry and Nigeria’s economy at large.”
Olanrewaju said that the honorary fellows exemplified “the values of professionalism, integrity, and service excellence” which the Institute seeks to promote across the nation’s financial system.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer of Future Africa, Mr Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, called on the banking industry to increase investment in young Nigerians, describing them as “the engine of the nation’s future economy.”
Speaking on the recognition, made available to The PUNCH on Thursday, Dr Phillips expressed gratitude to the CIBN, describing it as “a call to greater service”.
“This honour is an encouragement to continue advancing excellence, integrity, and innovation in leadership. I remain committed to fostering ethical banking practices, empowering professionals, and contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth,” she said.
Phillips, who holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) degree from the University of Lagos, is a distinguished executive with deep expertise in strategic, operational, and financial management.
A seasoned boardroom leader, she served as Chairman of Parallex Microfinance Bank Limited, which under her leadership was the first microfinance bank in Nigeria to successfully transition into a commercial bank. As the current Chairman of Parallex Bank Limited, she continues to contribute to the remarkable growth the bank has achieved since that historic transformation.
She also chairs the Loveworld Medical Centre, a multispecialty hospital, and Prime Foods and Beverages Nigeria Ltd, a manufacturer of Omnia Vitamin Water. Phillips is a member of the Institute of Directors, where she continues to contribute to high-level corporate policy formulation and governance.
Other recipients of the honorary fellowship include Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, and two Deputy Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Bala Bello and Ms Emem Usoro.
