Arunma Oteh

Ms. Arunma Oteh is a global leader recognized for her contributions to financial markets and economic development. She is currently an Academic at University of Oxford and chairs the Board of a U.K. Asset Manager. She also chairs the Board of the over 120 year old Royal African Society and seats on other Boards including the King’s Trust International.

Ms Oteh has held several senior leadership positions, including Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank, and Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria. She also worked at the African Development Bank, where she held various key roles, including Group Treasurer and Group Vice President, Corporate Services.

She has a first-class honours degree in Computer Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

In recognition of her achievements, she has received numerous recognitions, notably the Nigerian National Honours – the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).  She is also a titled chief in her community – Ada Eji Eje Mba and Ada Di Ora Nma.

She was named one of Forbes Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women in 2020. She was also named the Forbes Africa Female Changemaker of the decade in March 2025

Arunma Oteh works on initiatives that are tackling the world’s greatest challenges of climate change, inequalities, inclusion and eliminating poverty. She has written many seminal pieces on Africa, capital markets, development, finance, and sustainability.  Her recently released bestseller – All Hands On Deck – is a call to action for everyone to do their part in building a prosperous society for all.