In celebration of International Women’s Day, MSc International Development candidate Temi Phyllis Pratt talks to Nimi Akinkugbe, Nigeria’s Ambassador- Designate to Greece. An Alumni of the LSE, in this podcast they discuss Nimi’s foray into public service, her impressive career in the private sector and her desire to see women live financially independent thriving lives.

An advocate for financial security, she is also the founder of Bestman Games Ltd, the African distributor of customised editions of Monopoly, Hasbro’s world-famous game. She believes passionately in empowering women financially; her column Money matters with Nimi is a nationally syndicated column where she shares advice and tips on improving personal finances.

Achieving financial security ranks as a major source of concern for the Nigerian family, and Nimi seeks to harness financial literacy and inclusion as tools for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic development. Her book, A – Z of Personal Finance, provides frank, practical insights to create greater awareness and understanding of personal finance and wealth management issues.

This podcast discusses:
– Her experience as an LSE student
– Her career in banking
– The importance of women being financially secure
– The current opportunity for women to challenge the status quo.

Nimi Akinkugbe is a personal finance and wealth management expert who transitioned from a successful banking career in the corporate world to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. The next phase of her journey is public service.

She is the Founder of Bestman Games Ltd, the African distributor of customised editions of Monopoly. Hasbro’s world-famous game. Prior to this, she enjoyed a successful banking career spanning 23 years; first at Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc where she rose to the position of General Manager and Head, Private Banking and Director Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd. Subsequently, she joined Barclays Bank Plc as Regional Director (West Africa) for the Wealth & Investment Management Division and Chief Country Officer for Nigeria.

Nimi holds a Bachelors Degree (BSc Economics – International Relations) from London School of Economics (LSE) and an MBA from Lagos Business School. An accomplished pianist, she also formalized her interest in music by obtaining a Piano Teaching Diploma (ARCM) from The Royal College of Music, London.

Formerly an Independent Non-Executive Director of Standard Chartered Bank Ltd & the Nigeria Exchange Group Plc, she currently serves as a Director on the boards of House of Tara International and The Play Pen (Child Development Centre). She was recently appointed Ambassador Designate of Nigeria to Greece.