Zainab Abolarin

Head of Operations

Zainab Abolarin is the Head of Operations, overseeing the Customer Service and Data Management units, with over 21 years of professional experience spanning development work, banking, and credit bureau operations. She began her career with a non-governmental organisation, where she spent one year supporting the Adolescent Health & Information Project through newsletter and information management activities. She later transitioned into banking, gaining over three years of hands-on experience, before joining CRC, where she has built over 17 years of progressive experience in credit bureau operations. She started in a customer service role and gradually transitioned into data management functions, developing deep operational expertise across the credit reporting value chain. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Bayero University, Kano. She is a Certified Customer Service Leader, awarded by the Service Quality Institute (SQI), and an alumna of Lagos Business School, having completed the Senior Management Programme. Within CRC, Zainab has progressed into leadership roles, contributing to the expansion of institutional participation and the scaling of data operations. Under her leadership and in collaboration with her team, core operational processes were automated, enabling sustained growth in reporting institutions and data volumes over time. She has also participated in a specialised credit programme in Malaysia, gaining exposure to international credit practices. In recognition of her leadership and impact, she received CRC’s Leadership Excellence Award in 2025. As Head of Operations, she provides strategic and operational oversight across Customer Service and Data Management, with a focus on sustainable growth, data integrity, and service excellence.