On December 24, 1962, in the historic city of Ibadan, Oyo State, a young girl named Bilkisu Abiodun Motunrayo Omobolanle Adekola was born. In her early years, she was known by this name, but as her journey in life unfolded, she gradually transitioned to the identity by which the world knows her today—Ibukunoluwa Abiodun Awosika. This evolution of name was shaped by personal growth, spiritual convictions, and eventually marriage, which added the surname Awosika. Like many Nigerians, especially those navigating faith and culture, she chose to embrace a name that reflected her values and aspirations, while also carrying her marital identity. Over time, “Ibukunoluwa” became not just a name, but a declaration of the life she intended to live—one of impact, faith, and possibility.
Born the third of seven children, Ibukun’s formative years were spent between Lagos and Ibadan, where she attended St. Paul’s African Church Primary School and later Methodist Girls’ High School, Yaba. Her dream was to study Architecture at the University of Navarra in Spain, but circumstances redirected her path to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where she graduated with a degree in Chemistry. This decision, though unexpected, became a springboard—teaching her resilience and adaptability, two qualities that later defined her career.
After her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year in Kano State, where she worked as an audit trainee at Akintola Williams & Co. (now Deloitte), Ibukun returned home to Lagos. She joined Alibert Nigeria Ltd., a furniture company, as a showroom manager. That experience planted the seeds of her entrepreneurial vision. In 1989, driven by ambition and a clear sense of purpose, she founded The Chair Centre Ltd., a furniture manufacturing company that would eventually grow into a leading player in Nigeria’s business landscape.
Her entrepreneurial spirit was matched by her corporate leadership. Ibukun made history when she became the first female Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, one of the country’s most enduring financial institutions. Beyond the boardroom, she extended her influence globally, joining the Binance Global Advisory Board in 2022 and serving as a board member of several organizations, including Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ).
Ibukun’s impact is not limited to business alone. She has also distinguished herself as a media personality and mentor. In 2008, she appeared on the first African version of Dragon’s Den, inspiring budding entrepreneurs with her wisdom. She later hosted the TV program Business – His Way, which emphasized integrity and faith in enterprise. In 2020, she brought her presence to the big screen in Kunle Afolayan’s critically acclaimed movie Citation, starring alongside Temi Otedola.
As an author, she has penned influential works such as Business His Way and The ‘Girl’ Entrepreneurs: Our Stories So Far, books that combine practical business lessons with real-life inspiration. These works continue to shape the mindset of young entrepreneurs, especially women, who see in her story a reflection of what is possible when courage meets vision.
Her story is one of transformation—from Bilkisu Abiodun Motunrayo Omobolanle Adekola, a young girl with dreams of architecture, to Ibukunoluwa Abiodun Awosika, a global leader, mentor, and trailblazer. Through every season of her life, she has proven that success is not merely about breaking barriers, but about building legacies that empower others. In her journey, resilience meets faith, courage meets vision, and purpose meets impact. For countless Nigerians and aspiring leaders around the world, Ibukun Awosika stands as living proof that the power of possibility can turn even the most unlikely paths into extraordinary destinies.
