Profile

Dr. Jumoke Oduwole

Jumoke Oduwole MFR is currently serving as Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. She was appointed as the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment. Prior to this role, she served in the administration of former President Buhari Administration from November 2015 to May 2023.

She held the position of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade, and Investment and later served as Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business in the Office of the Vice President. During her tenure, she and her team are credited with implementing over 200 reforms across various government levels, according to official reports. She also contributed to the conceptualization and establishment of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN).

Until her appointment to this role in August 2019, Oduwole served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade, and Investment (OVP) from November 2015 to May 2019, during which she played a key role in the formation of the NOTN. She was also a member of the Technical Working Group of the Presidential Committee for the Impact and Readiness Assessment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) (Sub-Committee on Ease of Doing Business) and is a member of Nigeria’s AfCFTA Implementation National Action Committee (NAC).

Oduwole has been on several specialized reform committees including AfCFTA Implementation Committee and the Tax Policy Reform Committee. She chaired the Technical Working Team on Legislative Imperatives for the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021–2025. As the Executive Secretary and Executive Member to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), she continues to oversee the Secretariat’s activities aimed at improving Nigeria’s business environment.

Her contributions to reform efforts were recognized with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) honor in 2023. In September 2024, The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) honored her with a “Hall of Fame” Award for her work in business climate reforms over the past decade (2015–2024).

Profile

Rick Swart

Consul General Rick Swart, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, has held diverse diplomatic roles across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, most recently as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chad.

His diplomatic assignments include serving as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., in the Republics of Chad, Congo, and Burundi; Deputy Consul General in Baghdad, Iraq; and Humanitarian Assistance Officer for Africa at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.  Other assignments include overseas tours in London, Manila, and Dubai; as well as domestic postings in Washington, D.C., serving as the focal point for several cross-cutting sub-Saharan Africa issues.

Before joining the State Department in 2002, Rick worked in the private sector on architectural and design projects in Asia and Africa.  He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali.

Originally from San Diego, California, Rick graduated from the University of Colorado with a BA in Philosophy.  He has a master’s degree in African Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

Rick is joined in Lagos by his spouse, Bonnie. Rick speaks French and Bambara.

Profile

Folake Soetan

Mrs. Folake Soetan is a transformational business leader with over two decades of distinguished experience spanning the aviation, oil & gas, and power sectors. Renowned for her strategic vision, commercial acumen, and execution excellence, she has consistently delivered growth, innovation, and operational transformation across complex and highly regulated industries.

She holds a degree in Finance from the University of Lagos and completed the prestigious Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School Executive Education, equipping her with a strong foundation in financial strategy, leadership, and enterprise transformation.

Folake began her career in the aviation sector, where she drove revenue optimization initiatives that significantly increased market share. At Sahara Group, she played a pivotal role in building SO Aviation into a leading regional player, moving the business from 7th to 3rd position in the West African market within a remarkably short period.

In 2015, she joined Ikeja Electric, where her exceptional leadership and performance saw her rise rapidly from Deputy Chief Commercial Officer to Chief Executive Officer. Since assuming office, she has led the company through a period of bold transformation, positioning Ikeja Electric as one of Nigeria’s most innovative and high-performing power distribution companies.

One of her most notable achievements was championing, alongside her team, the bilateral power initiative under the willing seller–willing buyer model, delivering over 20 hours of electricity daily to residential clusters in Lagos State. This pioneering intervention became a key precursor to the successful rollout of Nigeria’s service-based tariff regime, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the country’s power sector.

Under her leadership, Ikeja Electric has recorded unprecedented progress, including a more than 50% reduction in Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) loss, alongside major strides in digital transformation, operational efficiency, customer experience, and service delivery. These achievements have earned the company multiple industry accolades, including “Best Electricity Distribution Company” and “Most Gender Diverse Utility Company” at the 2022 Nigeria Power Sector Awards.

Folake also led the company’s successful attainment of globally recognized management system certifications: ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety), underscoring her unwavering commitment to excellence, sustainability, safety, and customer satisfaction.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the transformation of Nigeria’s electricity industry, she was appointed Non-Executive Director, Distribution, at the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).

Beyond corporate leadership, Folake is deeply passionate about mentorship, inclusion, and leadership development, especially for women and young professionals. She actively supports these causes through her involvement with the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ). In 2022, she was honoured as one of the Eko 100 Women by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in recognition of her advocacy for equity and inclusion.

She is a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria and a member of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria.

A people-centred, values-driven executive, Folake Soetan is widely respected for her courage, integrity, and service-oriented leadership. She continues to be a driving force for sustainable growth and sectoral transformation in Nigeria’s power industry.

Outside the boardroom, she enjoys redesigning living spaces, is a devoted wife and mother of twin boys, and is an avid automobile enthusiast with a personal ambition to one day race on a Formula One track.

Profile

Chidilim Menakaya

Chidilim Menakaya is an accomplished business transformation and change management expert with over 20 years of global experience spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

She currently serves as Director of Sahara Group Foundation, the social impact arm of Sahara Group,a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate. In this capacity, Chidilim leads the Foundation’s strategic efforts to align Sahara Group’s corporate social responsibility with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She oversees the design and implementation of community-centered initiatives, driving inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable development across 42 business locations. Under her leadership, the Foundation advances Sahara’s proprietary EXTRApreneurship model, empowering social entrepreneurs and fostering scalable impact.

Chidilim’ s multidisciplinary career includes senior leadership roles across a range of industries, including energy, healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, technology, consumer products, and social enterprise. She is recognized for her ability to craft and deliver transformative strategies that achieve both measurable social outcomes and sustainable business performance. Her work reflects a deep commitment to collaborative development and the creation of resilient, future-ready communities.

She is an alumna of London Business School, and INSEAD business School where she completed senior executive leadership programs, and holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Communications and Reputation Management from Manchester Business School and continues to invest in leadership development to strengthen her capacity to drive sustainable transformation.

Chidilim is also a certified Human Resources Business Partner, a Transformation and Reputation Manager, and a Prosci-certified Change Management Practitioner. She is a proud member of the Women in Energy Network (WIEN), a leading advocacy group for women across the energy value chain and actively contributes to efforts that promote gender equity and leadership in the sector.

Beyond her professional commitments, Chidilim is passionate about volunteering and mentorship. She is actively engaged on global platforms,

serving as a mentor and advocate for mission-driven innovation aimed at empowering individuals and strengthening communities

Profile

Yetunde Oni

Mrs. Yetunde B. Oni is the MD/CEO of Union Bank of Nigeria, appointed in January 2024 as the first regulator-appointed CEO in the bank’s 108-year history. With over three decades of leadership experience across top local and international financial institutions, she is recognised for her balanced leadership approach, combining commercial discipline, cultural transformation, and strong risk awareness.

Under her stewardship, Union Bank delivered a significant financial rebound despite macroeconomic headwinds, achieving a 58% growth in Gross Earnings to ₦333 billion and a 20% rise in Profit Before Tax to ₦79.8 billion in the first half of 2024.

Yetunde has strengthened governance and enterprise risk management, introducing clear accountability structures and organisation-wide root-cause initiatives to address systemic issues and shift the Bank toward proactive operational resilience. She has also taken firm steps to improve loan recovery processes while maintaining ethical professionalism.

A champion of people-centric reform, she introduced some of the Bank’s most progressive policies, including a landmark five-month paid maternity leave, an onsite crèche, and the most extensive promotion cycle in a decade covering 24% of staff. These efforts contributed to major workplace awards in 2024 and 2025.

Her digital transformation agenda emphasises practical innovation, including the launch of UnionKash, a digital lending platform that has already supported over 14,000 customers. She also oversaw the seamless regulatory completion of the Union Bank–Titan Trust Bank merger in September 2025.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Ibadan and an MBA from Bangor University. A lifelong learner, she is an alumna of Oxford University, INSEAD Business School (Singapore), and Lagos Business School. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Loans and Risk Management, and a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria. Her leadership is defined by disciplined governance, regulatory clarity, and a deep commitment to institutional sustainability.

Profile

Chukwuma Aligwekwe (Chico)

Chukwuma Aligwekwe, popularly known as “Chico,” holds a BA (Hons) degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt. Following his graduation in Nigeria, he returned to the United Kingdom where he furthered his studies in Film andt Media at the University of North London.

Chico relocated permanently to Nigeria in 2006. In 2009, he became one of the pioneer presenters at the newly launched Classic FM 97.3, where he anchored the highly acclaimed TDS (The Drivetime Show). His leadership and creative direction led to his appointment as Programme Director in 2011, and subsequently Group Programme Director in 2014.

As an actor, Chico has featured in several notable feature films and television series, including A Soldier’s Story I & II, Tales of Ish & Isha, Guyman, The Serpent’s Gift, The Olive, Tinsel, Battleground, and E.V.E.

A seasoned voice-over artist, Chico is the voice behind numerous mainstream advertising campaigns and audio activations across both domestic and international media platforms.

Renowned for his poise and eloquence as a public speaker and event host, he has anchored numerous high-profile corporate and private events, including:

• Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria AGM
• Opening of Coscharis World Headquarters
• Nigerian Launch of Glenfiddich Grand Couronne
• SEEPCO Long Service Awards

Chico also consults for multiple radio stations, providing expertise in presenter training, programme development, and scheduling.

He recently launched “Chico’s Radio Workshop,” a one-week intensive radio training programme for aspiring radio presenters, where he serves as the Lead Facilitator.

In addition, Chico is a prolific writer and director, with works spanning short stories, theatre, audio drama, and poetry.

Profile

Dr. Folasade Femi Lawal

Folasade Femi-Lawal is the Country Manager, West Africa at Mastercard. Based in Nigeria, Folasade is responsible for advancing the Mastercard brand presence in West Africa, overseeing performance and strategic direction, deploying innovative payment solutions, and partnering with local governments and market regulators to build a World Beyond Cash.

Before joining Mastercard, Folasade held multiple roles in the finance and banking industry. Her career began in 1995 as a Senior Associate, Audit & Business Advisory Services in PricewaterhouseCoopers, before she transitioned into the finance and banking industry. Her first role in banking dates back to 1998, when she joined United Bank of Africa (UBA) as the Head of Loan Monitoring Unit — overseeing the bank’s loan portfolio and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.  

This position was then followed by her role as Head of Card & Messaging Business at FirstBank, where she managed eleven million cards and coordinated the Card Products Strategy in the Bank and its subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

Folasade also served as the Vice President of the Committee of E-Business Industry Heads (CeBIH), where she contributed to driving innovation and collaboration across Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

She is a seasoned Digital Transformation Senior Executive with 25 years of experience across diverse industries such as Financial Services, Management Consulting, Telecommunications, and Business Advisory Services. Alongside her varied experience, she is passionate about women empowerment and financial inclusion, with affiliations to key organisations such as the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and the Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) initiative, launched by the U.S. Consulate General.

Folasade has been recognised for her leadership and achievements, receiving the Visionary Leader in Technology and Business Award in 2024, presented by The CIO and C-Suite Awards Africa, and being named among the Forty-Five Most Influential Women in Digital Transformation in 2024, awarded by CIO Africa Magazine.

She holds a B.Sc. in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA in Information Management System from Texila American University, Guyana. She has also received an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Veridian Christian University, awarded in recognition of her impact in Business and Christian Leadership. In addition, she has received professional and executive education from Pan-African  University, Harvard Business School, London Business School, and Gershom Lehman Consulting (USA).

Folasade is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Taxation, and the Association of Enterprise Risk Managers. She is also a member of the Forbes Business Development Council and the Committee for Open Banking API Standard.

Profile

Iyinoluwa “E” Aboyeji

Profile

Olatunde Akintola

Olatunde Akintola is the Managing Director/CEO of Blue Crystal Energy Hub Ltd (EnergiHub). He is a strategic leader with over 22 years of experience spanning Finance, Oil & Gas, and Real Estate.

Olatunde holds an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School, and his academic qualifications cut across reputable global institutions, including the University of Manchester, London School of Economics, and Oxford Brookes University, amongst others. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), and the National Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria (NICA), and a member of the Chartered Institute of Directors.

Olatunde’s leadership has been instrumental in driving multi-million-dollar projects, optimizing organizational performance, and forging strategic partnerships that accelerate growth. Prior to EnergiHub, he served as Head of Corporate Planning/Economics for the Energia/Oando JV on OML 56, with an outstanding performance record, and later as CFO for Duport Midstream.

At EnergiHub, he has successfully positioned the company as a fast-rising, value-driven energy solutions provider, focused on delivering efficient procurement, logistics, and integrated support services to the Upstream and midstream operators in the oil and gas sector.

He has led the development of strategic partnerships and vendor networks that enable EnergiHub to deliver high-quality products and services competitively, supporting clients across upstream and midstream operations. His vision is centered on driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s energy ecosystem.

In addition to being a consummate professional with active interests in Oil and Gas, Finance, and humanitarian services, Olatunde’s broad spectrum of interests is further reflected in his active role in the Real Estate sector, where he serves as the Executive Director of Propertec Development Limited, a property development company with a growing portfolio of high-value residential and commercial projects across Nigeria, including landmark developments in Lagos.

He serves as an independent Director on the boards of other companies and enjoys coaching and mentoring, public speaking, and golfing. He is a strong advocate for a positive work culture and a healthy work environment.

Profile

Katharina Link

Katharina Link is the CEO of Pulse, Africa’s leading innovative media company, operating across six countries with three core brands: Pulse, a leading platform for entertainment, lifestyle, and culture; Pulse Sports, the go-to source for sports news and analysis; and Business Insider Africa, a premier destination for business and economic insights tailored to Africa’s dynamic landscape.

With a focus on empowering Africa’s next generation of creators, Pulse continues to inform, engage, and inspire its audience while providing exceptional value to its partners. Katharina also serves on the board of the International News Media Association (INMA) for Africa and is an angel investor committed to fostering innovation, creativity and talent across industries.

Profile

Wole Abu

Wole Abu is a pioneering technology and telecommunications leader, currently serving as Managing Director for West Africa at Equinix. With over two decades of executive experience, he has held pivotal roles including CEO positions at Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria and Pan African Towers, where he drove significant digital infrastructure development across Africa.

Recognized among the Top 50 Digital Economy Leaders and Most Influential Black CEOs, Abu holds an MBA from Lagos Business School and remains committed to bridging Africa’s digital divide through sustainable technological solutions.

Profile

Anthony Oduu

Anthony Oduu is a fintech entrepreneur and technology leader with extensive experience in financial services, product development, and cross-border payments. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology & Product Officer at Verto, a global fintech company that provides businesses with international payment, foreign exchange, and banking solutions designed to simplify cross-border transactions.

Before co-founding Verto in 2017, Anthony built a strong career across banking, capital markets, and technology, holding roles with major financial institutions including Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he developed deep expertise in financial systems and market infrastructure.

An entrepreneur at heart, Anthony previously founded ventures such as Tespoke and Expedius, focusing on technology solutions that connect markets and unlock new opportunities. His work today focuses on leveraging emerging technologies and innovative financial infrastructure to improve transparency, efficiency, and access in global payments, particularly for emerging markets.

Anthony holds degrees from University College London and City University London, and earned an MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Imperial College Business School.

Profile

Tokunbo Akande

Tokunbo Akande is the Special Adviser to the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS). He started his career with the defunct Bank of Credit and Commerce International/Africa International Bank (AIB) and joined the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service in 2008.

He is a seasoned professional with cognate experience in Human Capital Management, Commercial Banking Operations, and Tax Administration.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation Nigeria (CITN), an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

He attended the prestigious University of Ibadan and graduated with honors in 1981 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and bagged his Masters in Banking and Finance in 1991.

Profile

Tokunboh George-Taylor

Tokunboh George-Taylor is the Founder/CEO of SKOT Communications. Tokunboh is an experienced Communications Executive with over three decades of experience in creating, managing and sustaining Communications Campaigns locally, regionally and globally.

Prior to starting SKOT Communications, she was the pioneering Managing Director of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Nigeria, one of the world’s leading global communications. SKOT Communications was founded after the business and asset transfer of H+K.

Before joining H+K Strategies, Tokunboh spent over 14 years at integrated energy group Oando Plc in Lagos where she was part of the Group Leadership Council, heading up the Corporate Services and the Corporate Communications/CSR divisions. She was also the pioneering Director of the Oando Foundation. Whilst at Oando Plc., she also led the communications team for local and international fundraising and the listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Tokunboh has worked with local, regional and global clients such as Canon, Visa, LaLiga, Eat’N’Go (Dominos, Pinkberry, Cold Stone), Eko Atlantic, Oando, NNPC, Western Digital, GBfoods, Netflix, Bolt, Standard Chartered Bank, Dorman Long Engineering, Agusto & Co, First Bank Nigeria, Sunbeth, Aradel, NLNG and Shell on executive development and media training, internal and external communications, advocacy, strategic guidance, stakeholder engagement and campaign development.

Tokunboh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin, USA.

She is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), Public Relations Association UK (PRCA) and Institute of Directors (IOD), as well as an Executive Member of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN). She is also a fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative-West Africa, Vice President of ALIWA and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She is the Acting Chairman of the Oando Foundation, Advisory Board Member of Terra Kulture & Studios Limited, Board of Directors, FREEE Recycle Limited and Advisory Board Member of WISCAR.

Profile

Oluyemisi Iranloye is the Founder/CEO of Psaltry International Company Limited, a leading agro-allied company in Africa that serves multinationals, such as Unilever and Nestlé. Psaltry produces cassava starch, flour, glucose, hydrogen, and Africa’s first cassava-based sorbitol. By firmly rooting the company in the rural community of Alayide Village, Ado-Awaye, Oyo State, Nigeria, she has boosted smallholder incomes from less than $1 to about $10 per person per day, creating lasting impact across the local economy. The company has supported 16,000 smallholder farmers through capacity building, access to inputs, funding, and a guaranteed market. It provides about 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economy. Psaltry champions environmental sustainability through renewable energy use and circular economy.

Through the Psaltry Foundation, Oluyemisi promotes girls’ education and gender equality in the rural community. The foundation has awarded 19 scholarships, including one to Robiat Fasasi, a young woman living with a disability. Her mentorship program, launched in 2023, has helped over 1,000 aspiring agripreneurs build practical skills for modern, sustainable farming.

She earned a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria and later obtained an M.Sc. from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She further honed her leadership and management skills at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, California; the Nigerian SME Equity Investment, Trade and Development Program at El Camino College, California; and the African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) in Washington, D.C., where she later became the first female president of the Nigeria chapter.

She has received several national and international recognitions for her work, including honours from the Office of the U.S. Secretary of State, the Nigerian Federal Government, and the AGRA Women Agripreneurs of the Year Award (WAYA). She has contributed to shaping the global cassava industry by serving on Nigeria’s Presidential Committee on Cassava Development and Utility (2005-2007), the UNIDO-Ministry of Commerce Committee (2006), participating in the FAO expert consultation on cassava processing 2008), and serving on the steering committee of the USAID/IITA “Unleashing the Power of Cassava in Africa” project (2009).

Her journey reflects vision, resilience, and a deep commitment to inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.

Profile

Chidi Iwuchukwu

Chidi has been an investment banker for about 15 years, mainly in Leveraged and Acquisition finance. He is the Head of Investment Banking at Rand Merchant Bank for RMB in Africa. Chidi holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and multiple degrees from De Monfort University UK, Aalborg University Denmark, University of Applied Science Emden, Germany, and the University of Nigeria.

Chidi’s experience varies across several disciplines in investment banking including Debt Financing, Leveraged Finance, Acquisition Finance, Leveraged Buy-outs, Shareholder financing, Dividend Recaps, Fund gearing, and financings for financial and large sponsors. He has also developed bespoke financing transactions for Large conglomerates and family-owned businesses across Africa.

Chidi has been involved in notable acquisitions in UAE, Europe, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya and across other major African hubs. 

Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a division of FirstRand Bank Limited, is a leading African corporate and investment bank and part of one of the largest financial services groups in Africa. We offer our clients innovative, value-added advisory, funding, trading, corporate banking and principal investing solutions. As the corporate and investment banking arm of FirstRand Bank Limited (which is wholly-owned by FirstRand Limited), RMB has access to a network of retail banks in 25 African countries, as well as branches and representative offices in Namibia, Botswana, Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, the UK, India, China and the Middle East.