Nigeria, April 14 -- As part of our International Women's Day (IWD) series, PREMIUM TIMES spoke with Folashade Femi-Lawal, the country manager and area business head for Mastercard West Africa, about her journey, leadership philosophy, and how she continues to champion gender inclusion across sectors.

PT: Can you tell us about your professional journey and how you became a CEO?

Mrs Femi-Lawal: "No one makes it to the top; they are helped to the top based on the quality of their network."

My journey is a testament to this truth. Talent, hard work, and resilience are essential, but the right career support - those who challenge, and open doors-make all the difference.

I made the bold leap from accounting to business development in the d...