Ibukun Awosika

Ibukunoluwa Abiodun Awosika (born Bilkisu Abiodun Motunrayo Omobolanle Adekola on December 24, 1962) is a Nigerian business woman, motivational speaker and an author. She currently serves as Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria.[1]

Ibukun Awosika
Born
Bilkisu Abiodun Motunrayo Omobolanle Adekola

(1962-12-24) December 24, 1962
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Other namesBlessing Ibukun Awosika
Alma mater
Occupation
Years active1989–present
EmployerFirst Bank of Nigeria
OrganizationSOKOA Chair Centre Limited
TelevisionBusiness – His Way
Board member ofWomen in Management, Business and Public Service
Spouse(s)Abiodun Awosika
Children3
Websiteibukunawosika.org

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.[2] She holds post graduate and MBA certificates upon the completion of several business programmes at the Lagos Business School and IESE Business School - University of Navarra.[3]

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.[4][5] In her quest to be independent, she established a furniture manufacturing company called Quebees Limited[6] in 1989 before it evolved into The Chair Centre Limited and later SOKOA Chair Centre Limited following a venture merge with SOKOA S.A [7] and Guaranty Trust Bank in 2004.[8]

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.[9][10] 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.[8]

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.[9][11]

Ibukun Awosika is member of IESE's International Advisory Board (IAB).[12] She also sits on the board of Digital Jewel Limited and Cadbury Nig Plc.[13]

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. She also starred in the 2020 film "Citation" alongside Temi Otedola produced by Kunle Afolayan.[14]

Books
  • The "Girl" Entrepreneurs
  • Business His Way

Awards and recognition
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
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.

See also

References
  1. Ogwu, Sunday Michael (11 September 2015). "As Ibukun Awosika scores another first for women in Nigeria". Daily Trust Nigeria. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  2. Ajagu, Ausbeth (2005). The Entrepreneur. Betcy Media. ISBN 978-978-067-168-6.
  3. "Ibukun Awosika –Entrepreneur Par Excellence". FinIntell. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  4. "I live on the plane – Ibukun Awosika". The Punch Newspaper. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  5. ""Nobody Realized That We Were A Tiny, Little Dot" – Ibukun Awosika On How She Used The Little She Had To Build The Successful Business She Wanted". Woman.NG. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  6. "Ibukun Awosika Founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Group and the Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria and Imperial Gate School, Lekki". enterprise network. March 21, 2019.
  7. "I live on the plane – Ibukun Awosika". Punch. 13 March 2016.
  8. Anugwara, Boldwin (4 July 2013). "Ibukun Awosika: Imparting youths for employment". Newswatch Times. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  9. Sotubo, Jola (10 September 2015). "Ibukun Awosika: 3 reasons why her appointment as First Bank Chair is epic". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  10. "» Ibukun Awosika". test.firstbanknigeria.com. Retrieved 2017-12-30.
  11. Olapoju, Kolapo (7 September 2015). "Ibukun Awosika becomes the first female chairman of First Bank". YNaija. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  12. Members of IESE's International Advisory Board, iese.edu
  13. "I live on the plane – Ibukun Awosika". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  14. Okafor, Lovelyn (9 September 2015). "Ibukun Awosika- The New Face of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings (FBNH)". Konnect Africa. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
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