Ibukun Awosika
| Ibukun Awosika | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Bilkisu Abiodun Motunrayo Omobolanle Adekola December 24, 1962 Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Blessing Ibukun Awosika |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Employer | First Bank of Nigeria |
| Organization | SOKOA Chair Centre Limited |
| Television | Business – His Way |
| Board member of | Women in Management, Business and Public Service |
| Spouse(s) | Abiodun Awosika |
| Children | 3 |
| Website |
ibukunawosika |
Ibukun Abiodun Awosika (born Bilkisu Abiodun Motunrayo Omobolanle Adekola on December 24, 1962) is a Nigerian business magnate, author and motivational speaker. She currently serves as Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria.[1]
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.[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 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.[6]
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 Chairman, Board of Trustees of Women in Management, Business and Public Service.[7] 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.[6]
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.[7][8]
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.[9]
Books
Apart from her business, Ibukun is an established author. Her published books include:
- 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 |
Personal life
Ibukun Awosika is married to Abiodun Awosika with whom she has three children.
References
- ↑ Ogwu, Sunday Michael (11 September 2015). "As Ibukun Awosika scores another first for women in Nigeria". Daily Trust Nigeria. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ Ausbeth Ajagu (2005). The Entrepreneur. Betcy Media. ISBN 978-978-067-168-6.
- ↑ "Ibukun Awosika –Entrepreneur Par Excellence". FinIntell. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ "I live on the plane – Ibukun Awosika". The Punch Newspaper. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016. line feed character in
|title=at position 29 (help) - ↑ ""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.
- 1 2 Anugwara, Boldwin (4 July 2013). "Ibukun Awosika: Imparting youths for employment". Newswatch Times. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- 1 2 Sotubo, Jola (10 September 2015). "Ibukun Awosika: 3 reasons why her appointment as First Bank Chair is epic". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ Olapoju, Kolapo (7 September 2015). "Ibukun Awosika becomes the first female chairman of First Bank". YNaija. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ Okafor, Lovelyn (9 September 2015). "Ibukun Awosika- The New Face of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings (FBNH)". Konnect Africa. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
External links
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