Arese Ugwu

Arese Ugwu is the Acting Managing Director/CEO of NASD Plc and a capital-markets professional, entrepreneur, author and filmmaker with over 15 years of experience spanning financial services, investment, media and consumer engagement. Her career has focused on expanding participation in financial markets connecting institutions, businesses and individuals to capital and investment opportunities.

She is the creator of the bestselling Smart Money Woman franchise, which has expanded from publishing into television and digital media. Her work combines financial expertise with storytelling, technology and strategic partnerships to make complex financial ideas accessible to mass-market audiences.

At NASD, she is focused on expanding market participation, developing new products and distribution channels, deepening liquidity, and positioning the market as an increasingly important source of capital for Nigerian businesses and investment opportunities for institutional and retail investors.