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The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Parallex Bank, Dr. Olufemi Bakre, has emerged as Africa’s Financial Services CEO of the Year at the 2026 African CEOs Leadership Awards held in Lagos.
The award ceremony, organised by the African Leadership Business School, took place in Lagos, where business leaders from across the continent were honoured for excellence, innovation and transformational leadership in various sectors.
Bakre received the award in recognition of his contributions to the growth and transformation of the financial services industry and for his role in positioning Parallex Bank as one of Nigeria’s innovation-driven financial institutions.
Under his leadership, the bank has expanded its market presence through customer-focused services, digital banking innovations and operational efficiency initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and stakeholder value.
Speaking after receiving the award, Bakre described the recognition as a reflection of the commitment and resilience of the bank’s workforce.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Africa’s Financial Services CEO of the Year award. This recognition is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the collective dedication, resilience, and commitment of the entire Parallex Bank team,” he said.
He added that the recognition would further motivate the bank to continue delivering innovative financial solutions while contributing to economic growth and sustainable development within the financial sector.
The award also underscores Parallex Bank’s commitment to corporate governance, innovation, integrity and sustainable value creation as the institution continues to strengthen its presence within Nigeria’s banking industry.
