It was Victoria Bond who once observed that ‘true expertise is the most potent form of authority’. By dint of diligence and years of remarkable accomplishments Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi – has come to be recognised as a leading light of probity and transparency in the Nigerian financial system. Born on the 23rd February, 1968 into the Awoyemi family in Lagos, Nigeria, Olufemi attended his primary and secondary education in Ikeja, Lagos. He would later proceed to study Accounting in Ogun State University. After graduating with honours in 1988, Olufemi worked in several highly-rated establishments across different sectors rising quickly through the ranks to become Head, Treasury & Planning at British American Tobacco amongst others.
Olufemi, a consummate Finance expert and Compliance strategist, is as passionate about the health of the Nigerian financial system as he is interested in protecting investors. Through his work independently and at Proshare, Olufemi has raised the level of investor education and sensitization tremendously thus engendering an efficient market where the gap between the Market operators and investors is closed. Many times, Olufemi has demonstrated his mastery of the Nigerian Capital Market in well-received articles and OP-Eds, bringing clarity to the market. He possesses such a thorough understanding of the regulatory statutes that makes him a reference point for market participants when matters get complex.
Perhaps Alan Simpson’s famous quote: “If you have integrity nothing else matters” finds no better example than in the person of Olufemi Awoyemi. Olufemi artfully combines his immense people’s skills with his impeccable professional integrity maintaining thereby the delicate balance.
As a financial consultant with sound erudition, and versatility, Olufemi has made countless board presentations to the biggest brands in Nigeria deploying his rare bottom-up analytical skills to point at imperatives for corporate turnarounds. Likewise, he has guided many fintech start-ups and positioned them for financial performance and profitability. As Chairman and business leader, Olufemi has deployed his exceptional business development capacity, to make Proshare Nigeria’s leading Financial Information hub. In line with his unique pacesetting leadership style, Olufemi’s disposition around members of staff is nothing short of an emotionally intelligent leader, always encouraging and mentoring.
Being a thought-leader in economic and public policy, Olufemi expresses his strongly held opinions as eloquently in write-ups as through wonderfully delivered speeches. He has attended various speaking engagements, where he leverages his helicopter view to deliver fresh perspective on a variety of topics and endowing his, very often sophisticated, audience to elusive solutions. Apart from being a regular panellist at the NESG summit, he has mounted some of the most exalted podiums in the country while contributing his own quota to a sound financial system and economy.
"Whosoever render services to many put himself in line of greatness, great wealth, great satisfaction, great reputation, great return and great joy" - Jim Rohn
As a direct implication of his dedication to serving the interest of the Nigerian Investor Olufemi has received several awards including the 2018 Fintech Service Award (Fintech Association of Nigeria), 2015 Nigerian Rising Award (Hallmark Newspapers), the 2015 African Financial Analyst of the Year award by the Global Change for Africa, Brussels; the 2014 ICA Honours Award (Institute of Credit Management), and the 2013 Most Outstanding Business Executive of the Year (African Council of Chief Executives under the African CEO Council), amongst others.
Olufemi is an expert in Governance and has a knack for Financial Statement Analysis, Account reconciliation, Financial Markets, Innovation, Technology. He has also distinguished himself as an accomplished Banker, Treasurer, Business Intelligence Analyst, Public Policy Expert, Speaker, Futurist, Tech Enthusiast, Social Influencer and Author. Having recorded such enviable accomplishments it seems apposite to refer to the words of the great Desmond Tutu who said, “Do your little bit of good where you are, it is this little bit of good put together that overwhelm the world”.
He is a Fellow of many reputable professional bodies including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD).
Olufemi is married and the union is blessed with wonderful children. Olufemi spends his recreation time in playing Basketball and other sports.