Ibukun Abiodun Awosika formerly Bilkisu Abiodun Motunrayo Omobolanle Adekola is a Nigerian author and motivational speaker who currently serves as Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria. She also hosts a T.V programme called Business His Way.
She was born on December 24, 1962 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria as the third child of seven children. Ibukun attended 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.
Ibukun worked as an audit trainee during her compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps service, at Akintola Williams & Co. She also worked as a showroom manager at Alibert Nigeria Ltd. Afterwards, 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.
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She belongs to several notable organizations and co-operate bodies such as the African Leadership Initiative and Aspen Global Leadership Network, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, the board of Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund and Board of Trustees of Women in Management, Business and Public Service where she served as the chairperson.
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In 2011, she co-founded the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre, which helps 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.
In 2008, Ibukun was among five Nigerian entrepreneurs who appeared in the first African version of the Dragon’s Den. She has received several accolades and global awards like FATE Model Entrepreneur Award of The Year, Golden Heart Award by International Women Society Award and others.
Ibukun is also an established author and her publications includes: The “Girl” Entrepreneurs and Business His Way. She is married to Abiodun Awosika with whom she has three children.
