Weekend Read
Halima Buba is a seasoned banker with over two decades of experience in the banking sector. In January 2020, Halima Buba was appointed as the MD/CEO of SunTrust Bank Nigeria Ltd and resumed her role in March 2020 following approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Her appointment positions her on the growing list of women to attain this top managerial height in the Nigerian banking industry.
Before joining SunTrust Bank, Buba amassed extensive experience across several reputable financial institutions, including Allstates Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Inland Bank Plc, Oceanic Bank Plc, and Ecobank Nigeria Ltd.
SunTrust Bank is reputed for supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with low-interest funding to grow their businesses while innovating products to cater to the needs of the broader banking population, including medium—to large corporations and governments. It also offers Sharia-compliant banking products through its dedicated Non-Interest Banking Window.
Under her leadership, SunTrust Bank launched an initiative in June 2021 to support women in the ride-hailing industry. The bank dedicated N250 million (about $161,290) to equipping 100 female drivers with Hyundai Sonata vehicles to improve their living standards and encourage female participation in transportation.
Interestingly, Buba co-founded TAJ Consortium, a group of young, dynamic technocrats and financial advisory experts who co-founded TAJ Bank, Nigeria’s leading non-interest bank.
More so, Halima Buba was a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), where she contributed to strategic decisions that optimised the nation’s wealth for future generations.
She strongly advocates for the education of the girl child, promoting and supporting educational opportunities for young girls and recognising education as a pivotal tool for empowerment and societal advancement.
Halima Buba holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an MBA from the University of Maiduguri. She also graduated from the Senior Management Programme at the Lagos Business School. Additionally, Buba is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Institute of Management Consultants. Her strategic initiatives have significantly elevated SunTrust Bank’s financial performance and have promoted empowerment and growth.
