| Intro | Nigerian business magnate | ||||||
| Is | Businessperson Entrepreneur Author Motivational speaker Financial professional Banker |
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| From | Nigeria | ||||||
| Type | Business Finance Literature |
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| Gender | female | ||||||
| Birth | 24 December 1962, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria | ||||||
| Age | 58 years | ||||||
| Star sign | Capricorn | ||||||
| Education |
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Ibukunoluwa Abiodun Awosika (born Bilkisu Abiodun Motunrayo Omobolanle Adekola on December 24, 1962) is a Nigerian business woman, author and motivational speaker. She currently serves as Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria.
Early life and education
Born as the third child of seven children in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Ibukun completed her primary and secondary school education at St. Pauls African Church Primary School, Lagos and Methodist Girls’ High School, Yaba respectively before she proceeded to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where she graduated with a B.Sc in Chemistry. She holds post graduate and MBA certificates upon the completion of several business programmes at the Lagos Business School and IESE Business School.
Career
While on her compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps service, Ibukun worked as an audit trainee at Akintola Williams & Co. upon her love for architecture before she left for Alibert Nigeria Ltd. as showroom manager. In her quest to be independent, she established a furniture manufacturing company called Quebees Limited in 1989 before it evolved into The Chair Centre Limited and later SOKOA Chair Centre Limited following a venture merge with SOKOA S.A and Guaranty Trust Bank in 2004.
A fellow of the African Leadership Initiative and Aspen Global Leadership Network, Ibukun is a member of the
Nigerian Economic Summit Group, member of the board of Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund and former Chairperson, Board of Trustees of Women in Management, Business and Public Service. In 2011, she co-founded the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre, a career centre established in order to checkmate the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria.
On September 7, 2015, Ibukun became the first woman to be appointed Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria following the resignation of Prince Ajibola Afonja.
Ibukun Awosika is member of IESE’s International Advisory Board (IAB). She also sits on the board of Digital Jewel Limited and Cadbury Nig Plc.
Media personality
Television
In 2008, Ibukun was among five Nigerian entrepreneurs who appeared in the first African version of the Dragon’s Den. She also hosts a T.V programme called Business His Way.
Books
- The “Girl” Entrepreneurs
- Business His Way
Awards and recognition
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | THISDAY Newspaper Annual Merit Award | Entrepreneur of The Year | Nominated |
| Success Digests Magazine’s Annual Enterprise Award | Female Entrepreneur of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Financial Standard and Pan-African Organisation for Women Recognition | Best Female Entrepreneur of The Year | Nominated |
| FATE Foundation Awards | FATE Model Entrepreneur Award of The Year | Won | |
| 2007 | International Women Society Award | Golden Heart Award | Won |
| 2008 | International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge Award | Won | |
| 2015 | YNaija Person of The Year | Nominated | |
| 2020 | Africa Forbes Woman Awards 2020 | Forbes Woman Africa Chairperson Award | Won |
Personal life
Ibukun Awosika is married to Abiodun Awosika with whom she has three children.
