Profile of Bola Adesola, a trailblazer in banking

This piece curated by News360 Nigeria archives the profile and career achievements of Bola Adesola.

Harriet-Ann Omobolanle Adesola is a distinguished leader in the African banking sector, currently serving as the Senior Vice-Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Group.

In addition to her role at Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola has recently been appointed as a director on the board of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) PLC, Nigeria’s leading Central Securities Depository (CSD).

With a robust career spanning over 33 years, she has made significant contributions to the banking industry, demonstrating exceptional leadership and a commitment to ethical practices.

Profile details

Name: Harriet-Ann Omobolanle Adesola

Born: November 14, 1964

Nationality: Nigerian

Education: University of Lagos

Marital status: Married

Career: Finance expert

Background

Bola Adesola was born on November 14, 1964, in Lagos, Nigeria. She grew up in a family that emphasized the importance of education, which laid the groundwork for her future success.

She attended the University of Lagos, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law. Following her undergraduate studies, she completed her legal training at the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1986.

She also holds  a degree from the University of Buckingham and is an alumna of Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School, where she served as President of the Alumni Association.

She is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the UK and Nigeria.

Career

Bola began her banking career at Prime Merchant Bank as a Treasury Officer before joining Citibank in 1990.

She held several senior management roles during her nine-year tenure, including serving as Country Treasurer for Citibank Tanzania.

In 1999, she was appointed Managing Director and CEO of Kakawa Discount House Limited, a leading securities trading and asset management firm.

Her journey continued when she joined First Bank of Nigeria Plc in 2005 as Executive Director for Corporate Banking.

She later became the Executive Director of the Lagos Directorate and held board positions with FBN Capital Limited and FBN Trustees Limited.

Leadership at Standard Chartered Bank

In 2011, Adesola became the first Nigerian and the first female CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria.

Her leadership expanded in 2015 to include oversight of West Africa, and she chaired Standard Chartered Bank Mauritius. After a decade of service, she retired from the bank in May 2021.

Recent roles

In July 2021, she was appointed Chairman of Ecobank Nigeria Limited and has also chaired the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) since 2020.

She serves on the boards of Imperial Logistics Plc and is involved in fintech as a Trustee of the FinTech Association of Nigeria.

She has recently been appointed as a director on the board of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) PLC, Nigeria’s leading Central Securities Depository (CSD).

This appointment highlights her expertise and influence in shaping the financial landscape of Nigeria.

Professional affiliations

Bola Adesola has been recognized for her contributions to the banking sector and her commitment to promoting women in leadership.

She is a member of various professional organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Adesola is also an advocate for women’s empowerment and has been involved in numerous initiatives aimed at supporting and mentoring young female professionals in Nigeria.

Her leadership style is characterized by a strong commitment to integrity, excellence, and collaboration.

Personal life

Bola Adesola is known for her private yet impactful personal life. She is passionate about philanthropy and dedicates her time to various charitable causes, focusing on education and women’s empowerment.

She is married and the proud mother of twin girls. She is known for her love of reading, having traveled extensively, and her deep passion for art.

Global influence

In 2015, Bola was appointed to the United Nations Global Compact Board, later becoming Co Vice-Chair in 2018.

She also co-founded Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ), where she continues to play an active role.

Net worth

Bola Adesola’s estimated net worth could not be accessed as at the time of this post, News360 Nigeria will keep it updated in due time.