Arese Ugwu
Tribute
Arese Ugwu has tucked her children into bed with stories not of princesses but of financially independent women, drawing from the same wisdom that made 'The Smart Money Woman' a Nigerian household name. At breakfast tables and speaking halls, she plants seeds of financial awareness that continue to bloom long after that session is over. We honour the example she shows her children as they watch how she refuses to let African women remain financially vulnerable.
Profile
Arese Ugwu is an author, entrepreneur, and speaker, renowned for her work in promoting financial literacy among African millennials. She is the founder of Smart Money Africa, a platform dedicated to providing financial education in a relatable and engaging manner. Her groundbreaking book, ‘The Smart Money Woman,’ combines personal finance advice with storytelling, making complex financial concepts accessible to a broad audience. This work was later adapted into a television series, further amplifying its reach and impact. Arese currently serves on the boards of House of Tara International Ltd and The Nigeria Higher Education Foundation as a non-executive director and is an associate member of Women in Management Business & Public Service (WIMBIZ). She holds an MSc in Economic Development from University College London (UCL) and a BSc in Business and Management from Aston Business School, Birmingham. She is also an alumna of the Lagos Business School, INSEAD AbuDhabi, and The London School of Business executive education programmes. Through her multifaceted endeavors, Arese continues to inspire and educate, fostering a generation that is more informed and empowered about their financial choices. She is a mother who believes in instilling financial responsibility from a young age.