
Ademola Abere
@ademolaabere
I build and scale agent banking, payment, and distribution networks that expand financial access.
What I'm looking for
I've built and scaled agent banking, payments, and distribution networks across Nigeria's banking sector. At Stanbic IBTC Bank, I expanded agent-network penetration from 11,000 to more than 23,000 agents in two years and drove 10x transaction-volume growth.
I improved active-agent performance from 35% in 2023 to 87% in 2025 through agent engagement, operational policies, training materials, and performance frameworks. I also implemented risk controls and compliance monitoring aligned with regulatory requirements.
At Airtel SmartCash Payment Service Bank and Lotus Bank, I led nationwide acquisition, strategic partnerships, agent tiering, liquidity initiatives, and end-to-end agent banking frameworks. At Lotus Bank, I recruited more than 2,000 agents within two months of launch and reached a 60% active-agent ratio.
Earlier at FirstBank Nigeria, I helped recruit more than 153,000 agents, process over one billion transactions, and generate more than ₦15 billion in revenue in 24 months. I've also grown premium credit-card adoption, merchant-acquiring utilization, and retail and corporate banking portfolios.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Manager, Channel & Distribution Network
Stanbic IBTC Bank
Apr 2023 - Jun 2026 (3 years 2 months)
Led strategic planning and execution of agent banking initiatives, expanding agent network from 11,000 to 23,000+ and achieving 10X growth in transaction volumes. Implemented risk management controls and compliance monitoring aligned with regulatory requirements.
Manager, Distribution Network & Strategic Partnerships
Airtel Smartcash Payment Service Bank
Dec 2022 - Apr 2023 (4 months)
Developed and executed nationwide acquisition strategy increasing agent network coverage by 20% and managed strategic partnerships with super agents, fintechs, FMCGs, and retail chains. Designed agent-tiering framework improving performance and retention by 18%.
Head, Third-Party Network Management
Lotus Bank Limited
Mar 2022 - Nov 2022 (8 months)
Designed and implemented the bank's first end-to-end Agent Banking framework, technology infrastructure, and compliance protocols from scratch within five months. Recruited over 2,000 agents within two months and achieved 60% active agent ratio.
Team Lead, Access & Distribution, Underserved Markets
FirstBank Nigeria Limited
Jan 2019 - Feb 2022 (3 years 1 month)
Implemented strategic marketing initiatives increasing visibility and adoption of financial inclusion services through Agent Banking. Contributed to recruitment of over 153,000 agents and processing of over 1 billion transactions valued at approximately ₦24.6 trillion, generating over ₦15 billion revenue in 24 months.
Product Manager, Premium Credit Cards
FirstBank Nigeria Limited
Feb 2017 - Dec 2018 (1 year 10 months)
Developed adoption strategies for credit card products using market analysis and PESTLE assessments. Increased adoption of VISA infinite credit cards from 300 to 1,050 within nine months and boosted sales revenue by 50% through cross-selling and upselling.
Product Manager, Merchant Acquiring Business
FirstBank Nigeria Limited
May 2012 - Feb 2017 (4 years 9 months)
Managed and increased adoption and utilization of Point of Sale (POS) and WEB channels by 40%, resulting in improved profitability and service quality. Increased credit card payment processing by 20%.
Relationship Manager, Retail & Corporate Banking
FirstBank Nigeria Limited
Mar 2007 - May 2012 (5 years 2 months)
Developed and supported initiatives expanding retail customer acquisition from 780 to over 2,200 within three years. Managed corporate client portfolios generating over ₦1.2 billion in annual revenues and achieved 100% customer retention.
Banking Services & Operations
FirstBank Nigeria Limited
Apr 2005 - Mar 2007 (1 year 11 months)
Provided end-to-end banking operations support, ensuring seamless over-the-counter transaction processing, risk control, and excellent customer experience, leading to a 20% decrease in handling time.
Technical Sales Executive
Fumman Nigeria Limited
Jul 2004 - Mar 2005 (8 months)
Managed end-to-end sales processes including presentations, negotiations, and account management. Secured key client relationships including Nigeria Breweries and Guinness Nigeria.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
Master of Business Administration, Finance
Completed an MBA in Finance at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in 2013.
Federal University of Technology
Bachelor of Technology, Food & Industrial Microbiology
Earned a Bachelor of Technology in Food and Industrial Microbiology from Federal University of Technology, Akure in 2002.
Axelos Global Best Practice
PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner, Project Management
Certified as a PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner.
Visa Business School
Card Program Management Level 1, Card Program Management
Completed Card Program Management Level 1 certification.
MasterCard Academy
Principles of Fraud Management for Issuers and Acquirers, Fraud Management
Completed Principles of Fraud Management for Issuers and Acquirers training.
First Academy
Strategic Marketing, Sales and Relationship Management, Marketing, Sales and Relationship Management
Completed training in Strategic Marketing, Sales and Relationship Management.
First Academy
Digital Strategy, Innovation and Social Marketing Program, Digital Strategy, Innovation and Social Marketing
Completed Digital Strategy, Innovation and Social Marketing Program.
XGD Facility Tour
Electronic Product Development and Management, Electronic Product Development and Management
Completed Electronic Product Development and Management training.
Visa Business School
Build a Profitable Card Portfolio, Card Portfolio Management
Completed Build a Profitable Card Portfolio training.
First Academy
Effective Writing and Communication Skills, Writing and Communication
Completed Effective Writing and Communication Skills training.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
Authorized to work in
Salary expectations
Social media
Job categories
Skills
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