Can you introduce yourself ma?
Folasade Femi-Lawal is a highly sought-after senior executive, business leader, and digital transformation expert with nearly 30 years of experience spanning financial services, telecommunications, management consulting, and business advisory. She is a thought leader on financial inclusion, digital transformation, strategic leadership, and women’s empowerment.
She has been instrumental in major initiatives, including securing a $12M grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand financial access in Nigeria through the agency banking network and spearheading innovative banking solutions such as the FirstBank Visa Multi-Currency Card and award-winning FirstMobile App. She is currently the country manager and area business head for Mastercard in the West Africa namely, Nigeria, Ghana, Siera Leone, Gambia and Liberia.
Folasade is a frequent keynote speaker at global conferences, a boardroom leader, and a mentor to women entrepreneurs through programs such as Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WimBiz) and the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). She also serves on various industry committees, advocacy groups and non-profits including: 100 Women In Fintech (100Wfintech) Global Visibility Committee, Arise and Shine Charity Foundation for Youth Empowerment, SheFintech, PrayingMums, and SingleMumsGlobal , just to name a few.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
- Outstanding Women in Management Award: Recognized by the United Nations Association in Nigeria for her exceptional leadership and impact in management.
- Top 50 Women in Management Africa: Named by Women in Management Africa for her significant contributions to management across the African continent.
- Notable Member Recognition (2022): Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Payment Influencer of the Year 2024 (LinkedIn)
- Visionary Leader in Digital Transformation and Technology (2024): Celebrated by the CIO C-Suite Awards Africa, acknowledging her innovative contributions to the industry.
- 45 Most Influential Woman in Digital Transformation (2024)
- Top Tech Career Women in Africa (2025)
What does your role as Digital Adviser entail, and why is it important for the association?
SMOGA recognized a generational gap between the Gen Zs, Millennials and Baby Boomers and the need to bridge such gap because the world is becoming a global village thanks to technology. It is important that we involve all the Old Girls of St. Margaret so they can be well-informed about their alma mater. My role as Digital Adviser is to enable technology to spread the word of the good work that’s being done by SMOGA worldwide. That covers our LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp group and Website.
My class of 87’ Babes (set of 1987), donated the website to SMOGA worldwide , for our 35th anniversary in 2022, with the aim for every set to have their own page on the website so we can all connect. This allows all who visit the site to be able to see all members of SMOGA and connect through the years and generations via a website. Database of activities on mobile devices or application like Facebook or Instagram can be lost or people can lose their devices. A credible website gives them continuous access and the ability to stay connected so long as they have the internet. A case in point is the 70th Anniversary ceremony that we were able to project globally on platforms for people to witness.
The SMOGA Digital Initiative has a purpose and many benefits.
The Saint Margaret Old Girls Association (SMOGA) Digital Initiatives aim to leverage technology to strengthen alumni engagement, provide valuable resources, and foster a vibrant online community. Through these initiatives, SMOGA seeks to:
- Enhance Connectivity: Provide a centralized digital platform for members to network, collaborate, and share experiences.
- Promote Professional Growth: Offer career opportunities, job postings, and mentorship programs to support members’ personal and professional development.
- Facilitate Knowledge Sharing: Publish insightful blog posts, educational content, and expert-led discussions on various topics.
- Encourage Health & Well-being: Share valuable resources on wellness, parenting, and lifestyle to support holistic growth.
- Drive Community Impact: Organize digital campaigns and initiatives that contribute to the empowerment and success of members.
What platforms or digital tools have been most effective in connecting alumni?
The website, Facebook (3000 followers), LinkedIn, Instagram and WhatsApp. Once again, the website has been of the greatest value because the Old Girls can find themselves and the current students can see the visual journey of the school over the 70 years and is a richer resource and more lasting.
Here’s a comparison between the SMOGA Alumni Group on Facebook and the Alumni Section on the SMOGA Website:
1. Accessibility & Longevity
Facebook Group: Access is limited to users who have a Facebook account. If Facebook changes policies, removes accounts, or someone loses access, they may be cut off from the group.
Website Alumni Section: Open to all SMOGA members regardless of social media presence. As long as they have internet access, they can visit and engage with alumni content.
2. Content Ownership & Security
Facebook Group: Content is hosted on Facebook’s platform, meaning Facebook controls how long it stays visible. If Facebook were to shut down or remove content, SMOGA has no control over retrieving lost data.
Website Alumni Section: Content is securely stored and owned by SMOGA. It remains accessible for years to come, preserving alumni history and achievements.
3. Structure & Organization
Facebook Group: Posts appear in a timeline format, which means important discussions or announcements can quickly get lost as new posts are made. Finding past posts requires scrolling or searching, which can be tedious.
Website Alumni Section: Information is well-organized with dedicated pages for each set, event archives, galleries, and an alumni directory, making it easier to navigate and retrieve relevant details.
4. Networking & Community Building
Facebook Group: Great for informal discussions, quick updates, and social interaction. However, it lacks structured networking tools.
Website Alumni Section: Offers a more structured approach to networking, allowing Old Girls to connect through their set pages, professional directories, and mentorship programs, ensuring meaningful connections beyond casual conversations.
5. Event & Legacy Documentation
Facebook Group: Events can be posted and shared, but they are temporary and harder to find later. Once posts are buried, members may struggle to access past event details.
Website Alumni Section: Events and milestones are permanently documented with photos, videos, and summaries, ensuring SMOGA’s legacy is preserved for future generations.
6. Global Reach & Professionalism
Facebook Group: Limited to those who actively use Facebook. Some members may not feel comfortable engaging on social media.
Website Alumni Section: Provides a professional and official space that is accessible worldwide without requiring social media accounts, making it inclusive for all Old Girls.
In conclusion, while the Facebook group is great for casual, real-time interactions, the SMOGA website alumni section is a long-term, structured, and secure platform that ensures the association’s history, achievements, and connections are preserved and easily accessible for years to come.
What are the biggest digital challenges SMOGA faces, and how have you been able to overcome them?
It is important to celebrate the Global President Emeritus, Mrs Bolade Thomas for her exemplary leadership and support through the tough beginnings of this initiative. She has been a solid rock backing every progressive initiative within SMOGA, she is a rare breed. Funding has been one of our greatest challenges; however, the alumni have consistently demonstrated graciousness and generosity in supporting various commendable projects over the years.
We also face the issue of connectivity across different generations. Bridging the generational gap requires everyone to actively participate on the website. Without members actively following the social media channels and interacting across generations, it becomes challenging to maintain engagement. This lack of visual reference has
How do you measure the success of digital initiatives within the association?
We’re making great progress. Aside from the website, last year, we launched the SMOGA National Zoom Account which is an enterprise account which allows Old Girls to have meetings with their set. This comes at an annual cost of $170, which we are set to renew for another year. We’re also working on making the internet available for our students at St. Margarets in Ilesha across the school premises. The world is now a global village, and they can connect the world from Ilesha.
The website has been doing tremendously well. With 243 active users, we’ve recorded a total of 2.38K impressions with an 3.7% Average CTR.
What feedback have you received from members regarding SMOGA’s digital advancements?
Members enjoy the rich information sharing such as life hacks, lifestyle tips, job opportunities, grants, and scholarships. We have been praised for creating a platform for easy access to these resources. Change is a constant in life, and adapting can be challenging. The SMOGA Digital Initiative Committee met with the Global President to discuss encouraging members to visit the website Our patient website manager has been invaluable, but we need SMOGA worldwide to embrace digital initiatives and spread the word for everyone’s benefit. The positive development is that we now Branches Presidents, Set Coordinators on the Committee to drive adoption.
What are your long-term goals for SMOGA’s digital landscape?
Closing the generation gap through credible and bankable activities. We want to make sure that the oldest of the Old Girls can be connected to the youngest of us and even the current students. I also intend on making SMOGA world famous seeing as we’re already global. The goal is for us to become the template for how other alumni should impact their alma mater.
Are there any upcoming tech-driven projects we should look forward to?
We provide training to representatives of branches and key members of the SMOGA digital initiative on how to upload pictures to the website. Additionally, we aim to equip the younger generation with digital tools to enhance their employability by exposing them to global opportunities.
We plan to teach the alumnae digital skills, including internet navigation, information verification, and cybersecurity awareness. These skills are crucial in the current technological landscape. Cybersecurity awareness programs can help recognize scams, phishing attempts, and online harassment.
Digital entrepreneurship programs will be developed to instruct both alumnae and students on creating and managing online businesses. The increasingly tech-enabled world necessitates a foundational understanding of these concepts for both career and entrepreneurial paths. With over 15 years of banking experience, it is essential to incorporate Financial literacy education, teaching students and SMOGA members about savings, investments, and digital banking.
How can members contribute to or benefit from SMOGA’s digital transformation?
As advocates of this significant initiative, please disseminate the information widely. Follow our Facebook Page, Instagram Account, and LinkedIn Page. Participate actively in Zoom calls, engage with your branch and cohort, and ensure regular visits to the website. Additionally, interact across various groups to foster collaboration and engagement.
Also, Smogites, kindly share your social media handle by filling out this form. We’d love to tag, engage you and keep you updated on our activities.
https://forms.gle/u9XwbqPFRb9niUdX6
Please send donations to the SMOGA central account and tag Digital in naira and dollars.
For Naira Transactions: 2036524640
First Bank: Saint Magaret’s Old Girls Association (SMOGA)
For Dollar Transactions (Zelle): + 1 (585) 685-5205
Femi-Lawal Tosin
What advice would you give to other associations like this looking to strengthen their digital presence?
Be inspired. Be relevant. No matter how tall a tree will grow, it should never forget its roots. We are spread around the world, but we didn’t forget how we were impacted by the late Mrs. Alalade and several other leaders. So we encourage people to add value to their alma mater and always pay it forward.
11. How has this role influenced your personal and professional development?
I’ve always been involved in one charity or the other and it’s my joy to be able to add value to my alma matter. For example, we have the Arise and Shine Charitable Foundation where we cater to the indigene of Ilesha by increasing and improve primary school enrollment. It is a project by cousin and his lovely wife,Dr & Mrs Lawrence Ajayi and we’ve been able to provide stationary, school bags and uniforms for up to 5000+ pupils across Ilesha till date. SMOGA is just one of the many initiatives on a larger scale.
Something to remember, “To plant strong roots is to honor the past, to build with purpose is to shape the present, and to uplift others is to secure the future.”
– Inspired by the teachings of Nelson Mandela and Maya Angelou