In a resounding celebration of innovation, leadership, and national relevance, City People honours Mark Nwaozomudoh, one of the brightest stars from Nigeria, with the 2022 Outstanding Talent Award in Accounting and Finance, recognizing his extraordinary and transformative impact on financial operations, currency management, and AI-powered innovation within Nigeria’s banking and monetary system.
Hosted annually by City People Magazine, Nigeria’s most recognisable lifestyle and innovation publication, the Outstanding Talents Awards celebrate individuals whose work redefines industry benchmarks and contributes meaningfully to the national and regional transformation agenda. The 2022 Accounting and Finance category was among the most fiercely contested, drawing over 100,000 nominations from Finance professionals and researchers across the globe. Mark stands out for his ability to connect strategic financial leadership with operational precision, delivering measurable results across both public and private banking institutions.
With over 10 years of experience in the financial services sector, Mark currently serves at the Central Bank of Nigeria, where he leads complex currency operations, implements advanced risk controls, and leverages artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, security, and cash flow forecasting.
“This award is about honouring those who bring vision and execution together. Mark Nwaozomudoh redefines excellence in finance with strategic insight, data-driven thinking, and measurable impact,” says Wale Lawal, Senior Editor at City People.
Mark Nwaozomudoh stands out as a dynamic force in Nigeria’s financial landscape because of his rare ability to fuse operational mastery with strategic foresight. His work at the Central Bank of Nigeria exemplifies leadership in action, where he manages currency operations worth over ₦1 billion daily while ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and compliance across 12 states.
He transforms traditional financial systems through innovative use of AI-powered tools like T24 and Clirec, reducing distribution delays by 32%, improving cash forecasting accuracy by 40%, and cutting fraud exposure by nearly 30%. These achievements not only optimise national liquidity management but also directly inform Nigeria’s monetary policy decisions.
Mark doesn’t just manage numbers—he builds financial ecosystems that anticipate change, mitigate risk, and adapt to shifting economic pressures. His leadership drives measurable improvements in financial stability, reserve planning, and operational resilience, making him a pivotal contributor to national financial security.
His track record of developing tailored banking solutions and mentoring high-performing teams reflects a broader commitment: to use finance not just as a tool for compliance or control, but as a strategic enabler of growth, trust, and innovation.
“The future of Nigeria’s economy depends on the growth of its SMEs,” Mark tells City People. “I intend to support more small and medium-sized businesses through strategic financial frameworks, easier access to credit, and data-driven models that help them scale boldly and sustainably.”
What makes Mark truly outstanding is not just what he delivers, but how consistently he elevates performance, empowers people, and drives transformation where it matters most.
Mark contributes to the advancement of financial knowledge through peer-reviewed research. His co-authored paper “Innovative Financial Solutions: A Conceptual Framework for Expanding SME Portfolios in Nigeria’s Banking Sector” offers actionable insights that help banks scale SME financing, improve client engagement, and deepen market penetration. This work strengthens the practical and policy approaches shaping financial inclusion across the country.
A graduate of Robert Gordon University, UK, Mark holds an MSc in International Business and a BSc in Sociology. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants and continually sharpens his edge through certifications in AI-powered banking, project management, digital finance, and customer service excellence, staying ahead of financial innovation in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Mark Nwaozomudoh exemplifies what it means to build systems that are not only technically sound but strategically transformative. His ability to translate economic insight into operational excellence allows him to reshape how banks function, how cash is moved, and how the Nigerian economy adapts to global trends.
City People proudly recognises a leader who is not just navigating finance but defining the future of it.
Mark Nwaozomudoh doesn’t just manage currency—he reimagines how financial systems create value, drive growth, and inspire trust.
