We recruit Nigeria’s brightest and most outstanding future leaders from varied disciplines to teach in Nigeria’s underserved schools in low-income communities through a highly selective, two-year Fellowship.
The Teach For Nigeria Fellowship is a transformational leadership program that equips Fellows with transferable leadership skills to effect change beyond the classrooms in the communities we serve. After the Fellowship, these individuals (known as “alumni”) go on to become educators, public officials, policymakers, advocates, and social entrepreneurs building on their classroom teaching experience to drive long-term systemic changes in the educational sector in Nigeria.
The Teach For Nigeria model is based on the proven success of 61 countries and six continents including Teach For America, Teach First UK, Lead For Ghana, Teach For Bangladesh, Teach For Armenia and Teach For India, who are all part of the Teach For All network.
WHO WE ARE
Teach for Nigeria is focused on developing a movement of leaders across the nation who are committed to putting an end to educational inequity.
WHY WE EXIST
Millions of children in Nigeria lack access to an excellent education that will give them a successful future.
Thus, Teach for Nigeria exists to change this narrative, break the cycle of ignorance and impoverishment which dwindles our national development and denies us fulfilment of our vision for a better future.
OUR VISION
One day, every Nigerian child will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
OUR MISSION
To mobilize leaders who will drive the movement towards educational equity and excellence in Nigeria.
We recruit Nigeria’s most promising future leaders from varied disciplines to teach in Nigeria’s underserved schools in low-income communities through a highly selective, two-year Fellowship.
The Teach For Nigeria Fellowship is a transformational leadership program that equips Fellows with transferable leadership skills to effect change beyond the classrooms in the communities we serve. After the Fellowship, alumni of Teach For Nigeria build on their classroom teaching experience to drive long-term systemic changes in the educational sector in Nigeria as they progress into leadership roles in their varied professions. The Teach For Nigeria model is based on the proven success of 40 country organizations including Teach For America, Teach First UK, Teach For Ghana, Teach For Bangladesh, Teach For Nepal and Teach For India, who are all part of the Teach For All network.
WHY WE EXIST
Millions of children in Nigeria lack access to an excellent education that will give them a successful future.
This results in more and more people continuing to join the cycle of poverty, making it increasingly difficult for our nation to live up to its vision of a better future. Teach For Nigeria exists to change this narrative.
WHO WE ARE
Teach For Nigeria is focused on developing a movement of leaders across the nation who are committed to putting an end to educational inequity.
Meet our Team
Folawe Omikunle
Chief Executive Officer
Folawe Omikunle
Folawe is the Chief Executive Officer of Teach For Nigeria. Prior to leading Teach For Nigeria, Folawe worked as a School administrator at Imperial Springs School. She served as the first Executive Secretary of the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN). Folawe Omikunle graduated from Babcock University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy. Upon completion of her Master’s degree at the Diplomatic Academy of London, University of Westminster, she returned to Nigeria and took up an appointment as a School Administrator in a Montessori Pre-school in Lagos, Nigeria. Folawe began to think of education injustice as a systemic problem while working as an Administrator, through an experience where an orphaned child was enrolled at her school. Folawe’s experience at this school developed her interest in education and social development, which spurred her journey to enroll at Modern Montessori International, London for a Diploma in Montessori Education. She was deeply influenced by Maria Montessori’s teachings and belief that all children have their unique potential, and believes that the only way Nigeria will reach her greatest potential is by educating and investing in her human capital.
In her journey to contribute to the education sector in Nigeria, Folawe joined the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) to seek a platform that would enable her to improve the quality of education for marginalized children. As Executive Secretary of APEN, Folawe planned and led several teacher training workshops, conferences and professional development programs for educators and cultivated relationships with key government and education stakeholders. During her tenure at the APEN, Folawe continued to develop her Leadership skills through her participation in Leading Change Through Education Systems at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
In 2015, Folawe joined Teach For Nigeria as Program Manager in its early stages. She quickly transitioned to become CEO in 2016, leading the start-up and driving the organizational development which led to the eventual launch of the organization in 2017. Folawe was named among the 100 most influential young Nigerians in 2017, an honor that recognizes her experience and commitment to social development. She has dedicated her professional life to tackling the challenges in the education sector in Nigeria.
Edikan Mbang
Head, Impact
Edikan Mbang
Edikan Mbang is the Head, Impact at Teach For Nigeria. He is also an alumnus of Teach For Nigeria.
During his time as a Fellow, he led learning beyond the classroom. He oversaw the Research and Development team of Edusort Consults – a social development initiative that prepares the next generation of global problem-solving citizens by equipping teachers and learners with STEM and 21st-century skills. In this role, he was responsible for providing evidence-based strategic insights and action-plans to help children in low-income communities acquire digital and STEM education. He also monitored and evaluated Edusort’s programmes to ensure effectiveness and to improve efficiency.
Skilled in results measurement, development evaluation, knowledge management and capacity building, garnered through extensive experiences across private and non-profit organizations, Edikan Mbang is passionate about quality, inclusive education for all children as well as bridging the digital divide in the public education space.
Joy Abara
Head, Recruitment Selection and Matriculation
VIEW PROFILEJoy Abara
Joy Abara is the Head, Recruitment Selection and Matriculation at Teach For Nigeria.
Prior to working with Teach For Nigeria, Joy has gained several other work experiences in Marketing from Oxbridge Tutorial College and Business Development at Finchglow Group. Her passion for giving back led to the start of her charity, Clothe Me Project, where she has successfully designed and led various programs that have contributed to improving the quality of living between men, women, and children in disadvantaged communities.
She is a graduate of International Law and Diplomacy from Babcock University. Her interest in personal development led to her acquiring more skills in project management, leadership, and social media marketing. Joy believes that everyone should strive to be a better version of themselves.
When she’s not recruiting, she loves to travel, read and watch YouTube tutorials!
Bosede Ogidan
Head, Alumni
Bosede Ogidan
Bosede Ogidan is the Head, Alumni of Teach for Nigeria. She has experience counselling young adults on career pathways, and she has successfully taught and nurtured more than one hundred young adults from all backgrounds, and preparing them for the next stage of their lives. Bosede is also an uncommon educator who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of young adults and children.
Through the initiative she co-founded, Child support Initiative, she has educated over one thousand children on Puberty, sexual abuse and Menstrual Hygiene, set up Menstrual Pad Banks in low pupil primary schools across Kaduna and Ogun States, for the ultimate vision of ending period poverty and promoting academic outcomes.
Prior to joining Teach for Nigeria, she worked as a research assistant at the University of Ibadan. She holds a B.A.Ed from Adekunle Ajasin University and M.A. in History from the University of Ibadan.
Tope Akintunde
Project Manager – Profuturo
Tope Akintunde
Tope is the Project Manager, Profuturo, she has 13 years’ experience which spans from classroom, special education needs, Students Recruitment and Marketing, Engagement, and Project Management in Education.
Tope worked with Prepclass Nigeria a Leading Edutech Startup as the Head of Partnership and B2B, she was the brand’s face to other businesses. She successfully fostered lasting partnerships with her local knowledge and “outside the classroom” experience in the Nigerian education space. She was also the Head of Admissions and Marketing at Lekki British School.
She holds a B.A Arts-Social Science (French Major) from Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science and Technology, Diplôme d’Etudes Français from Université de Caen Basse Normandie, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education International (PGCEi) from the University of Nottingham.
Emmanuella Nweke
Project Coordinator – Profuturo
Emmanuella Nweke
Emmanuella is a project coordinator at Teach For Nigeria.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Redeemer’s University and has strong interests in service delivery, Education & Human Resource Management and Development.
Prior to Teach For Nigeria, she worked at Prepclass Nigeria Limited, where her key responsibilities included:
- Managing the team of content creators to create educational materials for students in year 3 to year 11.
- IELTS program coordinator
- Client- tutor relationship management.
On the side, Emmanuella enjoys reading a variety of books.
Moses Stephen
Senior Coach
Moses Stephen
Moses Stephen is a Coach/Leadership Development Manager at Teach For Nigeria.
He is also an Alumni of Teach For Nigeria (Pioneer Cohort) and Teach For All Global Girls Fellowship ll.
As a Teach For Nigeria Fellow, he Co-founded TFN Creative Kids Art Club in Ogun State; an initiative that is creating opportunities for kids to explore their creative potentials through the production of artworks with commercial value. The project is currently supporting over 11 schools within Ogun state to set up and manage Art Clubs and to also set up a Kids Creative Art Center in Abeokuta that will serve as a working studio and Art Gallery for over 150 kids from the partner schools.
He holds a BSc. In Zoology from the University of Jos, Nigeria and a Professional Diploma in Education from Babcock University Ileshan-Remo, Nigeria.
Jumoke Olowogunle
Finance Officer
Jumoke Olowogunle
Olajumoke is the Finance Officer at Teach For Nigeria.
Prior to Teach For Nigeria, she worked at TOS Vine Press Company as the Admin Manager where she oversees the operational function of the company.
Assumpta Dagat
Senior Coach
Assumpta Dagat
Assumpta Dagat is a Leadership Development Manager, and a Senior Coach at Teach For Nigeria.
Prior to Teach For Nigeria, Assumpta was a teacher with Essence International School, Kaduna for 7 years. While there, she served as Asst Secretary to the P. T. A. and eventually the Secretary. Being an Event Coordinator, she coordinated and managed all social events while in the school. She also volunteered teaching at LGEA Angwan Rimi through the school’s NGO.
She was Ag GM Events and Studio with Euphoria Communications, Kaduna. She was a Sales Representative with Sandtex Portland Paints & Products Nig. Ltd.
Assumpta holds a Masters in International and Strategic Studies from Nigerian Defence Academy Postgraduate School, Kaduna. Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. B.Sc Sociology from Bayero University Kano. Diploma in Social Administration from Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna. Certificate in Mass Communication from Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna.
Courage Agbeti
Senior Coach
Courage Agbeti
Courage Simeone Agbeti works with Teach For Nigeria as a Senior Coach.
Prior to Teach For Nigeria, Courage had worked with Lead For Ghana as a Fellow from 2016 to 2018. He also worked with Vodafone Ghana as a Sales Agent and later worked with St. Catherine Preparatory School as a teacher. It was during this period that he developed passion for education and the social sector.
Courage has a BA in Political Studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He is passionate about education in Africa and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in International Studies in Nigeria Defense Academy, Kaduna.
Fatai Odebumni
Placement Officer
Fatai Odebunmi
Odebunmi is a Placement Officer at Teach For Nigeria. Prior to Teach For Nigeria, he worked at Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board as a Deputy Director in Education Quality Assurance Department. He led other officers on school supervision and monitoring of Primary Education in Ogun State. He carried out series of investigations, training of teachers, assistant head teachers and head teachers.
He was the chairman steering Committee that ushered in Teach For Nigeria in Ogun State.
He served as Head of Department school services and Action Education Secretary in several local government Education Authorities in Ogun State. He also served as Head teacher of a number of Primary Schools in Odeda L.G of Ogun State. He served as a pupil’s teachers for several years in Ogun State.
Odebunmi holds a B.A (Language Arts English option) from University Of Ilorin, National Certificate of Education from Oyo (now Osun) State College of Education, Ila Orangun and Teachers Grade Two certificate from Egbado Teacher Training College, Ilaro, Ogun State.
Board of Trustees
Gbenga Oyebode
Gbenga Oyebode
Gbenga Oyebode is the Chairman of Aluko & Oyebode, (Barristers, Solicitors & Trademark Agents), one of the largest integrated law firms in Nigeria, with offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt. Gbenga was an Associate with White & Case, New York between 1982 and 1983.
Gbenga was educated at the University of Ife (LL.B Honours), and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (LL.M) graduating in 1979 and 1982, respectively. He is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted June 1980) and an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of New York State (admitted November 1983).
Gbenga is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (FCIArb) and the Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI). He is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the International Bar Association (IBA). Gbenga is the past Chairman of the Section of Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association
Gbenga was conferred with one of Nigeria’s highest honours, the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) in the year 2000. He was also conferred with the Belgian Royal Honour of ‘Knight of the Order of Leopold’ in 2007. He was distinguished with an award for Lifetime Contribution to Law at the Law Digest Africa Awards 2015.
He was Chairman, Access Bank Plc (2005-2015) and the Chairman of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc (both listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange NSE) and serves on the Boards of MTN Nigeria Limited and Nestle Nigeria Plc. Gbenga also sits on the Africa Advisory Committee of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
Nike Akerele-De-Souza
MRS NIKE AKERELE DE-SOUZA
She is a highly experienced professional with a wide and varied array of talents. She started her career in the US in 1987, working for several consulting and audit firms and attained the post of Senior Auditor/Consultant in 1990.
She joined Arthur Andersen Nigeria (now KPMG Professional Services) in 1992 and established PeopleTemp; a sister company of PeoplePrime in 2002.
Olanike’s work in Education is implemented in her role as a member of the human capital committee of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and was appointed as a member of the human capital committee of the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria . As a Director of SASRF, she is active in the education sector, especially in the area of Teacher Education and Development.
She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the American Institute of Public Accountants. A Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ACA) as well as an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).
She has a degree in Accounting and Management Information Systems from American University, Kogod School of Business Administration, Washington D.C. USA .
Alumnus of the Talent Management Program at Cranfield University, UK and the OMP of the Lagos Business School.
She has been fully certified by SHL & the British Psychological Society to conduct objective assessments and is an Executive Coach. She is also a Fellow of the Aspen Leadership Institute (US)/Africa Leadership West Africa (ALIWA).
Segun Olukoya
Segun Olukoya
He is a senior level professional with proven skills and experience in strategy formulation, project execution, financial services, corporate governance and e-Business locally and internationally. Segun’s work experience spans across several leading corporates -Accenture, GTBank, Heirs Alliance .
An Associate of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network),authorized trainer of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Global Corporate Governance Forum and on the guest faculty at the Lagos Business School and Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC).
He is on the board of Gidimobile Limited and Ray of Hope Foundation. He has attended programmes at London Business School and a graduate of the University of Lagos.
Alero Ayida-Otobo
Alero Ayida-Otobo
She is a Transformation Strategist with invaluable understanding of sector-wide reforms in Nigeria. Her strength lies in her diverse career experience in the public and private sector.
In 2006 she joined the Transformation Team of the former Minister of Education, this experience ignited passion for the reform of the Educational system in Nigeria. In 2014, she was Chair, Technical Sub-committee of the 20th Nigeria Economic Summit.
She has continued to serve in the Education sphere working with International Development Partners in various capacities both in Nigeria and Ghana.
Through collaboration with JC Quality Inc., Alero has presented papers on Education reform in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. She is a graduate of Oxford University and also has a Sloan Masters degree in Management from the London Business School.
Ayo Olajiga
Mr Ayo Olajiga
He is a finance executive with experience building businesses, serving clients, and structuring complex transactions across the continent.
He was a consultant at McKinsey in Johannesburg, Co-Founder and Board Director of Food-Pro, a food processing business focused on exporting finished food products from Africa where historically raw materials were exported.
Ayo started the new merchant banking business in Nigeria. He is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University , also has an MSc from New Jersey Institute of Technology and an MBA from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management.
Mansur Ahmed
Engr. Mansur Ahmed
Engr. Mansur Ahmed is the Director, Stakeholder Relations and Corporate Communications of Dangote Group.
He has a first degree in Mechanical Engineering from Nottingham University (1972) and a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering and Administration from Cranfield Institute of Technology (now Cranfield University 1975) both in the United Kingdom. He also has a post graduate certificate in Investment Appraisal and Management of the Harvard Institute of International Development.
Engr. Ahmed was the pioneer Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission of Nigeria (ICRC), until his retirement in 2012. He led the Commission to win the Africa Investor PPP Champion of the Year 2010. He was also the Director-General of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), where he led the conceptualisation and development of the PPP policy framework for Nigeria.
He had a successful career at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), where he served in various capacities including Managing Director and Chief Executive. In addition, he served, at various times, on many national committees including the Nigerian Vision 2010 Committee; the Oil and Gas Sub-Committee of the National Privatisation Council; and the Committee on the Assessment and Monitoring of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He was also part of the National Economic Management Team that conceptualised, developed, and implemented policies and strategies to attract long-term finance for infrastructure development in Nigeria. The Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Fund, Pension Fund, and Infrastructure Fund are some of the Institutional Funds unlocked for project finance.
He belongs to several professional and board associations including the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Management and the Institute of Directors of Nigeria and he is a non-executive member of the Board of Directors of several blue-chip companies. He has written many articles (published and unpublished) on a wide range of issues including economic reform, deregulation in the energy sector, corporate governance, and other development issues.
Bola Njideofor
Bola Njideofor
Bola Njideofor is the Operations Director – She is accountable for all operational aspects of the schools which involves managing, analyzing, planning and implementing key strategies that will deliver optimal performance in the short and long term. She has over 13 years’ experience in the people space in the UK, US and Africa. During her career at Oando PLC, Mckinsey & Company & Heirs Holdings Oil and Gas, she has built a reputation for innovative and strategic thinking in fast paced environments, operational excellence and passionate commitment to all clients. She has a BSC in Economics from Rutgers University and a MSC in Finance & Banking from the European Business School.
Lai Koiki
Lai Koiki
Lai Koiki studied Geography at the University of Lagos and then went on to study Early Childhood education in the UK. She returned to Nigeria and took up a job as a teacher in a private school after which, she set up Greensprings in 1985 with just 3 children.
Greensprings began as a pre-school and later included a creche. But today, after over 25 years, Greensprings schools remains one of the most respected and highly rated privately owned schools in Nigeria.
Joke Chukwumah
Joke Chukwumah
Joke Chukwumah is the founder of Children’s International School, Lekki, Lagos. A school she founded in 2003 which is now arguably the best educational Establishment in Nigeria in terms of the quality of teaching and learning, infrastructural facilities, resources and learning outcomes.
Joke started off her career in banking where she rose to the position of Assistant General manager in 1997 having worked with Continental Merchant Bank, Chartered Bank and finally Guaranty Trust bank in Corporate banking, Consumer banking, branch Management and Corporate affairs departments.
Joke was at a time Chairman, InvestmentOne Funds Managers Limited, Chairman InvestmentOne Pensions Limited and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Children’s Developmental Centre, Surulere, Lagos. She is currently on the Board of InvestmentOne Financial Services Limited, Keystage Educational Services Limited, Chadsworth Sixth Form College, Chadstone Teacher Training Institute.
She is a member of Wimbiz where she is a member of the Advocacy Committee for Women on Boards (WIMBOARD). She acts as a mentor to many women navigating the Corporate world and Entrepreneurship. She is a member of the IOD and more recently has been invited to join the Board of Teach for Nigeria.
In recognition of her contributions to the Iyin Ekiti Community in Ekiti state, she was honoured and conferred with the Honourary title of “Eye Fiwajoye of Iin Kingdom” in 2018.
Abubakar Suleiman
Abubakar Suleiman
Abubakar Suleiman is an economist and a banker with over 20 years experience in consulting and financial services. As the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, his top priority is to optimize the impact of financial intermediation in critical sectors that can catalyze growth and create a future of shared prosperity for all Nigerians. These sectors are Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation, and are at the H.E.A.R.T of Sterling.
Before his current role, he served as an Executive Director and Chief Finance Officer of the bank and was the executive sponsor of the Bank’s non-interest banking business (Sterling Alternative Finance). Abubakar holds a bachelor’s degree (B.Sc) in Economics from the University of Abuja and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Major Programme Management from Said Business School, University of Oxford.
His previous work experience includes tax advisory at Arthur Andersen and financial markets with Citibank Nigeria. He is a firm believer in the role of efficient markets, emerging technologies, and small businesses in unlocking productivity, improving national competitiveness, and driving inclusive economic growth.
He currently serves on the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), and the Advisory Boards of Lagos Business School (LBS), Enterprise Development Center (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University and the Bantu Blockchain Foundation.
Ambassadors
Bayo Oyewole
Bayo Oyewole
Bayo Oyewole is Lead Public Private Partnerships Specialist in the Global Infrastructure Facility at the World Bank Group in Washington DC where he helps manage the GIF’s interactions with its Funding, Technical and Advisory Partners.
Bayo joined the GIF from IFC where he most recently worked in the PPP Transactions Advisory Department (C3P) from 2011-2014, advising African governments on structuring and implementing public-private partnerships. From 2009-2011, he served as Acting Manager of IFC’s Global Partnerships and Advisory Services Operations Department where he managed the Corporation’s relationship with the international donor community, including foundations and corporate philanthropy. Prior to that he worked in several IFC departments, including the Trust Funds, Environment, and SME Departments.
Before joining IFC, Bayo served for several years in the World Bank as Senior Advisor in the office of the Executive Director for Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and an MBA from the University of Maryland, College Park. Bayo serves on the board of The Advocacy Project, an international human rights advocacy non-profit organization. He is married with two boys.
Catherine Bickersteth
Catherine Bickersteth
Mrs. Catherine Bickersteth is co-Director of Strategic Educational Advisory Services Ltd. – a company dedicated to nurturing world-class intellect with a social conscience.
Mrs. Bickersteth holds a B.Sc. in Economics and an MSc. in Management Science. She also has a PGD in Teaching English as a Foreign Language as well as various other certificates. Mrs. Bickersteth is a British Council certified educational advisor. She participated in the Learning Journey to Finland and the Harvard Think Tank on 21st Century Education 2012 among other education-focused initiatives.
Mrs. Bickersteth worked with Citibank N.A. and the Department for International Development (DFID) before establishing her own company to provide services which enable students at all levels to compete and excel anywhere in the world.
Frank Nweke II
Frank Nweke II
Frank has over 13 years proven leadership experience at both State and Federal government levels and well over 20 years of same in the private sector of the economy. An expert in the administration of human resources, and brand strategist per excellence in both the public and private sector. He has built a strong foundation in public administration and public management over time, from high-level leadership roles in the public service as well as from education at the Harvard University Kennedy School of government, the Aspen Institute, Colorado and University of Maiduguri.
The recognition of his intellect, dedication to duty and personal integrity as the Chief of Staff to the Government of Enugu State led to his appointment as a Federal Minister in 2003 making him one of the youngest members of the Nigerian Federal Cabinet in which he served. He currently sits on the boards of some of Nigeria’s leading companies for similar considerations. In February 2009, Frank was appointed the Director – General of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), an office he occupies to date.
Kayode Akinkugbe
Kayode Akinkugbe
Kayode Akinkugbe is the MD/CEO of FBN Merchant Bank Limited and was previously the CEO of FBN Capital group. Together these entities represent the merchant banking and asset management business of FBN Holdings Plc. He joined FBN Capital in 2011 as Deputy Managing Director and was appointed CEO in 2012.
Prior to joining the FBN Holdings group, he spent two decades working in international/global investment banks, including successfully developing and managing the sub-Saharan Africa investment banking businesses at Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse. During this time, he arranged finance, provided strategic advice to public and private sector organizations, and built a wide network of relationships with international institutions/investors focused on sub-Saharan Africa.
He has an MSc in International Accounting & Finance from the London School of Economics, an MBA from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom, and a BSc in Economics from the University of Ibadan.
Ndidi Okezie
Ndidi Okezie
Ndidi Okezie’s leadership trajectory took her from a trainee English teacher to assistant principal over the course of ten years at two London schools. As a teacher, Ndidi witnessed firsthand the power of transformational school leadership and was compelled to find a path to ensuring as many students as possible were receiving a truly excellent education.
Tosin Osunkoya
Tosin Osunkoya
Tosin Osunkoya is an EMBA alumnus of the prestigious INSEAD Business School. He is an accounting graduate and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (CPIN).
He spent a significant part of the early stage of his professional career with Kakawa Discount House where he rose to the role of the Chief Dealer before his engagement with Zenith Capital in 2007. In 2010, having successfully created and led the fixed-income trading desk in Zenith Capital and Zenith Bank, Tosin joined UBA Plc as an Assistant General Manager, head of group trading, charged with the responsibilities of overseeing the various treasury trading teams of the bank.
Prior to setting up Comercio Partners, Tosin was the Head of Trading at Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria (Investment Banking Arm of FirstRand Bank of South Africa) where he was charged with the responsibility of setting up the trading and sales desks and broadly pivotal to building the global market business of RMB in Nigeria. He was also engaged in FirstRand’s strategic expansion across Africa.
Femi Ogunsanya
Femi Ogunsanya
Dr Femi Ogunsanya gained a Second Class Upper with Honours in Botany from the University of Lagos, followed by a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Bristol, UK.
She lectured at the University of Lagos for ten years, in the Faculty of Science after which she relocated to London as a Research Fellow at the University College London, for three years.
In 1993, she returned to Nigeria and established Oxbridge Tutorial College. Oxbridge was the first Sixth Form College in the country and remains the premiere specialist Sixth Form College based in Lagos, Nigeria.
Dr. Ogunsanya is Chairman of the Board of Governors Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN), Chairman of the Lagos Anglican Schools Management Board (LASMAB) and Chairman of Igbobi College, Yaba. She also sits on the Board of Preparation for Life (PFL), an educational consultancy outfit.
Ladi Delano
Ladi Delano
Oladipo Delano founded the GLP Cares Foundation, which was set up to give young Nigerians “a second chance at prosperity” by establishing an educational facility that provides educational support to underprivileged youths. This effort birthed the Grace Lake Scholarship Fund which has provided eighteen (18) full ride scholarships for bright young individuals to attend reputable universities in Nigeria. It has also awarded a scholarship to a beneficiary to study for a Master’s Degree at the University of Oxford.
Ladi Delano is a Forbes recognized Nigerian entrepreneur with over 13 years’ experience in emerging markets. He is the co-founder of Grace Lake Partners (GLP), a private investment and advisory company committed to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Joke Silva
Joke Silva
Joke Silva is a Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman. She graduated from the University of Lagos and Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London and began a career in film in the early 1990s. In 2006 she won “Best Actress in a Leading Role” at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance in Women’s Cot, and “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008 for her performance as a grandmother in White Waters.
She is married to actor Olu Jacobs. Together, they founded and operate the Lufodo Group covering film production and distribution assets and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, where she is Director of Studies. She is also the pioneering managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with Kwara State University. On the 29th of September 2014, Silva received recognition as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, one of Nigeria’s National Honours Awards, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Mijinyawa A
Abdulrahman Mijinyawa
Abdulrahman Mijinyawa is currently the Planning & Technology Manager for Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company. An engineer by training with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and a Master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Imperial College London, he joined the Shell Group as a graduate trainee in October 2005
His career to date has seen him work across the entire value chain of the Nigerian upstream oil and gas industry, from oil and gas field development, medium and long-term strategy and portfolio planning to new business development with a focus on Nigerian content. He has also spent time in the Netherlands studying approaches for extending the economic life of Nigeria’s onshore oil and gas assets.
Throughout his career, AbdulRahman has sought to use the means at his disposal to mentor and empower young persons. He is one of Shell Nigeria’s Nigerian University campus ambassadors, a role he uses to mentor and coach the next generation of engineers. In 2015, he mentored a team of students from ABU to participate in the global Shell eco-marathon in Rotterdam, the Netherlands– a student challenge competition that aims to encourage improved energy efficiency while providing university students with international exposure and experience.
Bimpe Nkontchou
Bimpe Nkontchou
Mrs. Bimpe Nkontchou is the Managing Principal of W8 ADVISORY LLP and is Head of Tax and Legal Services, as well as being responsible for building and nurturing Client Relationships. W8 Advisory is a unique asset management and wealth advisory practice, focused on African families, based in London, U.K.
Bimpe is a qualified lawyer, with over 30 years’ collective experience in England, Wales and in Nigeria respectively. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987 and qualified as a Solicitor in the UK in 1997. She was previously founder and managing partner of Addie & Co. Solicitors in London for over 16 years, with a specialist private client department, which advised affluent African entrepreneurs on asset and wealth management issues. Bimpe has recently also qualified as a Barrister in the UK, as a member of the Honorable Order of the Middle Temple.
As a trusted advisor to high net worth African entrepreneurs and business leaders, Bimpe offers her clients sound and independent advice and solutions for wealth management, which include: legal & tax advice; succession planning; real estate advice; corporate and business advisory services; and advice on family governance and the education of the next generation. Her mission is to work with clients in upholding the smooth intergenerational transfer of family wealth and family businesses.
Banky W
Banky W
Olubankole “Banky W” Wellington is a multitalented and prolific Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Filmmaker, Businessman and Philanthropist, who has evolved over the years into becoming the most versatile Entertainment and Media Mogul on the continent of Africa.
Mr. Wellington grew up in Lagos and upon completion of secondary school, he moved to New York where he earned an Industrial Engineering degree from the very prestigious Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. While still in college he was featured in and won numerous musical competitions and showcases; this led him to create Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), a company he envisioned as the platform for his music, the music of artistes he would sign and develop, as well as a launching pad for his various other business interests.
As a philanthropist, he launched the “I am Capable” Scholarship Fund, which has provided tuition, room & board assistance for multiple deserving youth over the years in various tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the US, and Canada. He’s played a crucial key role of many charitable initiatives, including “Enough is Enough” and “LightUpNigeria”; ever the Youth Ambassador, he was one of the most visible and vocal personalities involved in the #OccupyNigeria peaceful protests in 2012; he also jointly spearheaded the #Dream4Naija project with international organizations such as USAid and IRI.
Banky is also an accomplished Motivational Speaker and MC – he has delivered powerful, inspired, motivational speeches at multiple noteworthy events, such as the “WimBiz” and “How I started” Conferences; he has anchored some of the most important events on the continent, including the Hip Hop World Awards (aka the Headies), the Channel O Awards, and has successfully hosted every edition of the globally successful and groundbreaking One Africa Music Fest (with stops in New York, Houston, Dubai and London thus far).
Dudun Peterside
Dudun Peterside
Dudun Peterside is a Psychologist and an Executive Coach who also works as a Human Development Adviser and Consultant Trainer. She is a Managing Partner at Narita Learning Centre, where she brings to bear her 31 years of experience in psychology, and provides specialist services through her advanced training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
Dudun has 12 years of experience in executive coaching and has coached private and corporate personnel, including company directors and senior management. Her clients include multinational and local organizations such as Diageo, Shell and Airtel. Her coaching methods are transformative, in that they are highly solution-focused and generative. She particularly helps her clients to find innovative strategic approaches to their goals and challenges, thereby ensuring their actions are more purposeful and sustainable.
Dudun holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology & Education and a Masters degree in Educational Administration. She is a certified Trainer and Master Practitioner of NLP, and is also licensed to train coaches. She is a certified provider of The Listening Programme – Advanced Brain Technologies and is also a certified consultant facilitator of The Achievement Profile.
Dudun is passionate about philanthropy, and is the Founder of the Love Foundation, a charitable organization committed to uplifting people with special needs through music and the performing arts. In 1998 she co-founded Lifestream, a non-profit organisation that sponsored overseas surgical operations for young children with complex heart problems for 10 years, through the ‘Save a Child’s Heart’ project.
Dudun is also on the Advisory Board of Children’s International School, and is a Trustee of ANAP Foundation, as well as a Co-Founder of ANAP Equestrian Centre. She is an avid squash player, runner and horse rider, and played polo for many years. She is married with three children.
Eric Idiahi
Eric Idiahi
Eric is a Co-founder and Partner of Verod Capital Management Limited. Prior to founding Verod Capital, Eric was the co-founder and managing partner of Fountainhead Media Group, an investment and advisory firm focused on the Technology, Media and Telecoms sector in Nigeria. Eric previously worked at Financial Derivatives Company Limited. He is a Director of EMZOR Pharmaceutics Industries Limited, Greensprings Educational Services Limited, Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Limited and on the Board of Regents of Harris Manchester College, Oxford University.
He received a B.Sc in Economics from the University of Houston, Texas and an MBA from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, England.
Fatima Wali
Fatima Wali
Hajiya Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman holds a BA (Arch.) & BA (Urban Studies) from the University of Minnesota. She also holds an M.Sc. (Arch.) in Economics and Management of Construction from the Bartlett School of Architecture & Planning, University College (UCL), University of London. Fatima is a qualified Facility Management Professional (FMP) and is currently pursuing an MBA in Real Estate and Construction, from the University of Reading, U. K. Fatima is the CEO of Filmo Group.
As a young graduate, she was a resident architect at the Air Force Military School, Jos, and was in charge of converting it from the old Jos Airport. Afterwards, she joined Multi-Systems Consultants Limited Architects and Planners, Kano as a resident architect from 1983–85. In 1987, she worked briefly with Femi Majekodunmi & Associates, Lagos. Her experience in property design and management saw her as Head of Real Estate Department, Cosmocorp Realty (a part of the Cosmocorp Group) from 1990–92.
In 1992, she was appointed General Manager of Alpha Properties International Ltd., the post she held until she resigned to jointly set up Participant Properties Limited in 1994 as the Managing Director. She has managed the firm from inception to date, and successfully expanded its activities to Abuja, overseeing the overall activities of all the branches. Fatima is director at BGL PLC, one of the foremost investment banking companies in Africa with head office in Nigeria, offering first class financial advisory, corporate finance and private banking/asset management services to an expanding clientele comprised of institutional, corporate, government and ultra-high net-worth clients.