BUSINESS REPORTER
The Royal African Society has elected business executive Arunma Oteh as new chair.
She replaces journalist and broadcaster Zeinab Badawi, who is stepping down after the end of her second term.
Oteh is a member of Global Leadership Council at Said Business School at the University of Oxford, and a member of the London Stock Exchange Africa Advisory Group. She was previously Treasurer and Vice President of the World Bank, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria, and Group Vice President and Treasurer at the African Development Bank.
As chair, Oteh will be responsible for leading the Council that sets the Society’s strategic direction for the achievement of its mission. She will serve a renewable term of three years.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to lead such an eminent Council and contribute to the great work that the Royal African Society has been doing for 120 years,” Oteh said.
“The Society offers so many possibilities to learn about Africa, to influence policy, and to showcase the business and cultural opportunities that Africa offers, and thereby help unleash Africa’s enormous potential. Our work will also help strengthen the relationships and partnerships that African countries and the U.K. need, in order to address the important challenges that the world currently faces”.
The Society’s Director, Nick Westcott described Oteh as a “great champion” for Africa and will “play a key role in connecting the Society with Africans everywhere and in ensuring their voices are heard”
“Her extensive experience across business, economic, academic, cultural and political spheres will be invaluable,” Westcott said.
Oteh is an academic scholar at St. Antony’s College and an Executive-in-Residence at Saïd Business School (SBS), University of Oxford. Her research areas of focus are capital markets, economic development and financial technology. She is also a member of the London Stock Exchange Africa Advisory Group and a member of Global Leadership Council of SBS. She was previously Treasurer of the World Bank, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria, and Group Vice President and Group Treasurer, African Development Bank Group.
The Royal African Society is a membership organisation that provides opportunities for people to connect, celebrate and engage critically with Africa today.
