Financial Modeler Spotlight: Adetutu Oludare, First Certified Financial Modeler in West Africa

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, we are delighted to resume our Modeler Spotlight series with the incredible Adetutu Oludare, the first Certified Financial Modeler in West Africa. Her story is one of bold choices, disciplined growth, and lasting impact. Have a memorable read ahead!

From Conviction to Capital: Building Clarity in Finance

“I didn’t just stumble into finance. I chose it, even when it wasn’t the obvious path.”

That decision, made quietly and early, would go on to shape a career defined by clarity, courage, and conviction.

Today, as Chief Financial Officer of Optimus Bank, Adetutu Oludare provides strategic financial leadership at the highest level, partnering with the Managing Director and the Board to drive long term value creation, sustainable growth, and balance sheet resilience.

She oversees the Bank’s finance function, ensures full compliance with IFRS, and acts as a trusted business partner across business units, translating financial data into insight and insight into action.

But long before boardrooms, recapitalization strategies, and regulatory frameworks, there was a much simpler, and more personal, moment of choice.

Choosing the Unpopular Path

Finance was not always the plan.

In SS2, while many of her peers were doubling down on the sciences, Adetutu noticed something important about herself: her love for Physics was gradually declining, while her interest in Commercial subjects, particularly Commerce, was growing stronger.

“My Physics teacher didn’t find my decision funny at all,” she recalls. “I was one of his good students.”

They had a conversation. He tried to talk her out of it.

“But my mind was already made up.”

Looking back, that moment stands out as one of the most defining choices of her life.

“Choosing to follow my conviction, even when it wasn’t popular, remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she says. “I’m grateful I had the courage to trust myself.”

That clarity only deepened at university.

Admitted via Direct Entry into 200 level, she encountered an accounting lecturer whose clarity and depth transformed the subject from theory into something practical and enduring.

“He taught Accounting in a way that stayed with me for life,” she says. “Not just for exams - but for understanding how things really work.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting, proceeded to obtain a master’s degree in finance, and is now preparing to pursue a PhD in Finance, a continuation of a journey that began with one bold decision to follow her passion.

Discovering Financial Modeling, and Owning It

In early 2018, at the start of a new year, Adetutu was asked to submit her training plan to her line manager. As part of the process, she reached out to HR to inquire about available finance related training programs.

What came back was a brochure from David Brown, and inside it, a course on Financial Modeling.

“At the time, I was already enrolled in my MSc programme,” she explains. “But I knew this would give me something different, practical, professionally in-depth.”

When HR later informed her that the course included a certification examination, and that the organization was willing to sponsor both the training and the exam, the decision was immediate.

“I didn’t hesitate. I said yes.”

Over the Easter break, she attended an intensive 4-day training session. Financial modeling was still relatively new in Nigeria at the time, but she gave it everything.

“I gave it my best,” she says simply.

When the results were released, she stood alone. She was the only participant who passed the examination in that maiden edition, becoming the first Certified Financial Modeler in West Africa.

“That skill has added tremendous value to my professional journey,” she reflects. “From supporting SMEs with projections to applying it in budgeting, forecasting, and investment appraisal, it’s been a constant tool.”

Building Systems, Not Just Spreadsheets

Today, as the Pioneer Chief Financial Officer of Optimus Bank, her work goes far beyond numbers on a page. Starting a finance function from scratch is not glamorous work. There is no legacy structure to rely on, no established systems to inherit.

“It was a dual sided challenge,” she explains. “The team was eager and full of potential, but there was no existing framework to lean on.”

She worked twice as hard, establishing robust processes, mentoring her team, and embedding a culture of excellence from day one.

“The results are evident today, and the foundation continues to pay off.” She says.

One of her most significant milestones was spearheading the Bank’s recapitalization strategy through Rights Issue and Private Placement, significantly strengthening its capital base and positioning Optimus Bank as a resilient, well capitalized‑ institution in line with CBN requirements.

Along the way, she developed practical, decision driven financial tools:

• Regulatory reporting analytics that map source data seamlessly to CBN requirements
• Automated trial balance to financial statement mapping to improve reporting accuracy
• Return on Equity (ROE) models to analyze and optimize cost of equity
• Share valuation models to support sound equity investment decisions

Each model reflects her belief that finance should reduce confusion, not create it.

A Philosophy Rooted in Clarity

“My philosophy in financial modeling is rooted in clarity, integrity, and strategic relevance,” she says.

“A financial model is not just a spreadsheet. It is a decision-making tool.”

Every model she builds is structured, transparent, and flexible, designed to support scenario analysis, manage risk, and drive informed strategic decisions.

“Ultimately, my goal is to translate complex financial data into clear insights that guide sustainable value creation.”

That discipline extends beyond modeling. While managing a demanding professional role, she completed her MSc in Finance with distinction.

According to her: “It took focus, structure, and determination, but it was worth it.”

Teaching, Mentorship, and Paying It Forward

Adetutu has always been drawn to teaching and mentorship.

“I have a natural affinity for coaching,” she explains. “I practice it daily with my team.”

Beyond her immediate role, she serves as an Associate Director at Ivy League Associates, where she lectures students in Financial Management, and as a Faculty Lead and Registered Mentor for the Oxford Brookes Programme, supporting students pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting.

“To me, leadership is not about titles, it is about helping others grow.”

The Bigger Picture

Reflecting on her journey, a few lessons stand out.

“Passion matters. Perseverance matters even more, and knowledge only truly counts when it’s applied.” says.

From choosing Commerce over Physics, to becoming the first Certified Financial Modeler in West Africa, to building a bank’s finance function from scratch, her career has been shaped by intentional growth and quiet excellence.

“Every challenge taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of teamwork,” she reflects.

And she’s far from done.

Every model, every mentee, every strategic decision is part of a larger mission: to turn complexity into clarity, and to build systems, and people that last.

 
Connect with Adetutu Oludare via LinkedIn: Adetutu Oludare FCCA, AFM