Bunmi Lawson is the pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of EDFIN Microfinance Bank Limited. EDFIN prides itself as the first specialized Education Microfinance Bank with unique and well researched products and services tailored to cater for the needs of its customers and the Education Ecosystem. EDFIN Microfinance Bank under the eminent leadership of Bunmi Lawson officially commenced operations in April 2019 with its registered office at Surulere Lagos state and has projections to grow into a Nationally Microfinance Bank as well as the globally recognized bank of choice for education financial solutions in Africa. Its shareholders are Gray Matters Capital, an investment company based in the USA.
Ms. Lawson holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the IESE Business School, University of Navarra and is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
She is also a Fellow of the following Institutes; Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria, Institute of Credit & Collections Management of Nigeria and Association of Investment Advisers & Portfolio Managers of Nigeria. She is also a Board of the following; Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), Trium Venture Capital Limited and an Independent Director CRC Credit Bureau Limited; She is an Advisory Board Member of Bridge International Academies, Nigeria; Vi
A lifetime of social and economic impact
I have had over 30years post graduate experience of which the last 20 years has been work that has had a social impact as the CEO. The year 2000 was very transformational for me as it made me dedicate my career to creating significant social impact.
Creating jobs and businesses for Nigerian youths
First I led FATE Foundation as ED from 2000 to 2005 from its second year of being established. In that time over 5,000 entrepreneurs were trained creating jobs for tens of thousands some of these businesses have become leaders in their areas of specialization. See the FATE Foundation at 20 video here. https://youtu.be/ubjBNJbXJQc
Creating access to financial services for low income households
After FATE Foundation I led Accion Microfinance bank as its pioneer CEO. Ms. Bunmi Lawson is the immediate past and the pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ACCION Microfinance Bank Limited. She led the commencement of operations of the bank in May 2007 starting with one branch and 18 staff and grew the bank to become a National Microfinance Bank with over 259,313 customer accounts and 37,800 active borrowers serviced in over 62 branches in 6 states in Nigeria and over 1,000 total staff members as at Dec 2017 when she completed her tenor in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s regulations. She oversaw the growth of the bank to become one of the top 5 microfinance banks in Nigeria with year on year consistent growth over the ten year period. Under
Bunmi’s leadership the bank achieved profitability within its first full 12 months and has consistently ranked number one. See a tribute to me done by Accion MfB after my 10 year tenor as the CEO https://youtu.be/_MkJcuF3XpM
Creating access to quality education in Nigeria
After Accion, I became very concerned about the quality of education and the access to education of low income households. Setting up EdFin Microfinance Bank the first specialized education finance Bank in Nigeria. The theory of change is that when education entrepreneurs get access to finance they can improve the quality of education as well as increasing access. Students with tuition loans can also access the education they require. Check out more information on EdFin at www.edfinmfb.com
Adding value as a Nigerian citizen
In my personal life I have also continued to focus on giving back and building Nigeria to be great. I am on a number of boards; Board of Bridge International Academies one of the largest school chains focused on providing education to low cost households. Pioneer VP of the Fintech Association of Nigeria ( now a member of the board of trustees) leading the drive to use technology to achieve financial inclusion. Pioneer VP of the Women in Finance Organization supporting gender issues within the financial sector. I am also on the board of EFInA a leading non-profit organization driving financial access and innovation in Nigeria. www.efina.org.ng. On the board of CRC credit bureau Limited using data to drive access to credit. Mentor in WimBIZ, LBS EDC and to numerous others. I am also an Angel a member of the Lagos Angel Network providing equity capital to support startups and develop Nigeria through the success of these businesses. I am on the board of Trium Venture capital firm a company founded by Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede to fund startup ventures in the area of financial technology that makes social impact. I have led various speaking engagements including at the Lagos Business School, the World Economic Forum, the Harvard Business School, Oxford University.
