Ministerial List: Meet The Dynamic Change Maker Stella Okotete

Ministerial List: Meet The Dynamic Change Maker Stella Okotete

For some it’s a career, an opportunity to make wealth and a platform for relevance but for me, it is completely different, it’s a calling and a divine assignment.

——- Stella Okotete

It could be recalled that Tinubu’s alluded during his inaugural speech that competence rather than politics would weigh heavily on his choice of ministers. One Hon Stella Okotete is one of the technocrats on the list of ministerial nominees forwarded to the Senate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The list which is a blend of politicians and technocrats reflected the determination of President Tinubu to set up a government of inclusion and competence. According to the President, he said, experienced ministers will drive his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda in the national interest.

Also nominated for cabinet positions are legal luminary Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); an economist Olawale Edun; banker Adebayo Adelabu; former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader Betta Edu, Ben Ayade and eminent journalist Dele Alake, who is currently the Special Adviser on Media, Strategy and Special Duties. The immediate past governors of Kaduna and Rivers States, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai and Nyesom Wike, with an eminent medical scholar Ali Pate also made the list.

However, our focus will be on a young woman of integrity and character. A change maker, Hon Stella Okotete, the incumbent Director at Nexim Bank. According to a quote culled from her website, she said, “The goal is to do what we can to keep the nation united and show solidarity for the good of our country Nigeria. When you are patriotic, you are dedicated and strong. You exude a special fortitude in showing your dedication to achieve goals in the best interest of the country” —- Stella Okotete

Hon. Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete FCE, PFD is a trailblazer in education and leadership, born on April 20th, 1984, in Warri, Delta State. Her academic journey is marked by a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from Benson Idahosa University (Nigeria), a Diploma in Law from the Rivers State College of Arts and Sciences (Nigeria), and ongoing pursuits of a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution and an Executive Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the esteemed University of Abuja (Nigeria). Her dedication to continuous learning is evident through numerous certificate programs from prestigious institutions such as Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government (USA), the University of Virginia (USA), INSEAD Business School (France), University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School (UK), Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Center (Nigeria), and Columbia Business School in New York (USA)

As a testament to her management and leadership prowess, Hon. Stella Okotete is recognized as an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), a Fellow and Professional Fellow Doctorate (PFD) of the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN), and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) and the Institute of Corporate Administration (ICA). She is also affiliated with the African Humanitarian Initiative and the Institute of Directors (IoD) of Nigeria.

A Banker Per Excellence

Hon. Stella Okotete, FCE, PFD is the current Executive Director, Business Development of NEXIM Bank, a position she has held for two consecutive terms starting in April 2017. During her first term, Hon. Stella, working alongside the other executives and board members, brought several strategic transformation initiatives to the bank including improving the bank’s operating profit, its returns on capital earnings, reduction in non-performing loans and an increase in the total assets of the bank. She and the entire management team were re-appointed by President Muhammdu Buhari in 2022 for another 5-year term. Hon. Stella continues to champion the development of the Export Sector in Nigeria and expanding the frontiers of NEXIM to other areas of growth, human capacity building, strategic collaborations, fundraising initiatives for exporters and many more.

Academic Excellence and Professional Distinctions

Hon. Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete is currently the Executive Director, Business Development of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) as appointed by His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on April 20, 2017.

Upon assumption of office as Executive Director, Business Development, NEXIM Bank, Hon. Stella brought with her a lot of diverse experiences and insights gained in both the private and public sectors to her work as Executive Director.

Her portfolio at NEXIM includes:

Providing operational leadership for the bank;
Conceptualizing and developing new products/services as well as;
Planning and overseeing new marketing initiatives;
Supervising the business development division of the bank for optimal performance,
among others.

From Vision to Action

As the Executive Director of the Business Development Directorate in NEXIM Bank, Hon. Stella Okotete has initiated viable business products and services in the Bank such as:

Women and Youth Export Facility: Hon. Stella Okotete initiated the Women and Youth Export Facility to support women and youths in the non-oil export value chain. WAYEF is designed to stimulate and increase deliberate funding to indigenous Women and Youths, to improve access of Women and Youths to concessionary finance in a bid to expand and diversify the non-oil export basket base of the Nation.
Small and Medium Export Enterprise Facility: Also initiated by Hon. Stella Okotete, is designed to stimulate and increase deliberate funding to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and support Export-Oriented Small and Medium Enterprises in the non-oil exports value-chain.
Nigerian Export Academy (NEXA): In a bid to upscale growth of the non-oil exports in Nigeria through knowledge, skill acquisition and empowerment, Hon. Stella Okotete developed the Nigerian Export Academy in 2021 as a digital learning platform for all current and potential exporters in Nigeria and beyond, where subject matter experts will host courses and transcribe knowledge about exports.

Political Participation

Hon. Stella Okotete is an influential figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a champion for women’s empowerment in Nigerian politics. As the current National Women Leader of the APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), she has played a pivotal role in shaping the party’s policies and promoting gender inclusivity.

With a track record of active participation in various committees, Hon. Stella Okotete has proven her commitment to the party’s growth and success. She has served as a member of esteemed committees such as the National Convention Committee, the National Presidential Convention Committee, the Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team, and the 2019 Presidential Campaign Council — Women Mobilization. Her involvement in these committees showcases her dedication to advancing the APC’s agenda and ensuring women’s active involvement in political processes.

One of Hon. Stella Okotete’s notable achievements as the National Women Representative is the coordination of the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Delta Central. Her grassroots campaign and hard work contributed to the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in Delta Central and the state as a whole. This accomplishment highlights her strategic leadership and ability to mobilize support for the party’s candidates.

She is going to be one of the unique driver of the Change agenda. At Secured Naija, we say, congratulations to her on her new assignment.

One of her motivational quotes says, “Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.”

——- Stella Okotete