Kanayo Eni-Ikeh: A highly accomplished finance professional as Atiat CEO

25 Years Of Democracy In Nigeria (May 29, 1999-2024) – CEOs Whose Companies Are Making Real Impact In Nigerian Economy ( Part 1)

Perusing Kanayo Eni-Ikeh’s resume, who is Atiat Limited’s chief executive officer, one is very impressed that he has accomplished so much within a period of 20 years. It is also good to note that Nigeria has an abundance of world-class professionals like him who are quietly building Nigerian economy through the companies they lead. Atiat is one of Nigeria’s largest lending and leasing companies. A holder of Bachelor’s degree in Geological Sciences from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Eni-Ikeh also completed senior management programme at the Indian School of Business as well as a mini -MBA programme at Lagos Business School. He did a Mastering Strategy programme at the same school. The holy book says” Do not despise the days of small beginnings.” Eni-Ikeh was once a Geography teacher at Community Secondary School in Saki town, Oyo State during his NYSC service between 2004-2005.Though he loves imparting knowledge, especially to young ones; he was drawn towards the private sector, doing business. In August 2005 he joined Process Flow Outsourcing Limited as Head, Business Development. September 2006 saw him at Diamond Bank (now part of Access Bank) as a Team Member in its Operations Unit, deployed to its Sango-Ota branch. Eni-Ikeh was part of the team that created and converted corporate clients with monthly turnover of N0 million to N50 million and grew personal balance sheet from 0 million in 2006 to N200 million in 2009.A natural born leader, he provided sales clinics, even as he served in several mentoring roles to other employees. By 2009, he was Head, Business Banking, where he managed the team of relationship managers responsible for driving current account business with key focus on Fee lines (forex, trade, cash management, etc.). Again, he grew personal balance sheet from N200 million in 2009 to N420 million in 2010.He joined Fidelity Bank in 2011.At the Ogba branch where he was deployed, his Midas touch was replicated when he doubled the number of corporate clients with monthly turnover of N70 million and above from 12 customers in October 2012 to 25 customers in July 2014.He grew personal balance sheet from N50 million in November 2011 to N600 million in October 2012.

In 2018,he joined VFD Group as Head, Institutional Sales, where he coordinated the company ‘s sales strategy which culminated in large market share, profitability, etc. cetera. Eni-Ikeh achieved the target of N500 million in deposits in just 2 months. He was promoted General Manager, Business Development in 2019 and was responsible for managing the Group’s VFD Microfinance Bank. He grew the bank’s deposit base by 200 percent and tripled his personal balance sheet from N500 million to N1.6 billion. He created and mentored the bank’s sales team that achieved 105 percent of its year -end budget. January 2020 saw him assuming fresh duty as managing director/CEO, Atiat Leasing Company where he successfully turned the company’s loss position to one of the most profitable investee companies within VFD group. By March 2021,he was appointed CEO,VFD Bridge, a debt investment entity that provides financial advisory services to individuals and small businesses. Alongside his team, the company consistently exceeded its yearly PBT budget. By July 2022, Eni-Ikeh became managing director /CEO of Atiat Limited, a new company formed from the merging of VFD Bridge and Atiat Leasing Company.

A highly accomplished and focused Global Senior Finance Executive with 18+ years of successful experience providing fiscal, strategic, and operations leadership in uniquely challenging situations. Proven track record of building large, motivated resources teams and managing complex projects with uncompromising integrity spread by coordinating multiple business units in Africa. Possess proven expertise in Project Accounting, Strategic Planning, Organizational Modelling and Design, Stakeholders Management, Board Reporting, Business Advisory and Patterning, Budget Planning and Optimization, Performance Management, Labour Relations, Information Management, and Expatriate Relations. Demonstrated record of delivering sustainable results consistently to make significant independent contributions to the planning and development of operating policies and procedures.

He is also a multicultural builder who understands the precepts of leading through ethnic and ethical differences of diverse workforces. Strength leading in complex business environments while mentoring and motivating individuals from diverse backgrounds, encouraging them to take positive actions and be accountable for their work. Recognized by peers, subordinates, and senior leadership for tenacity and ability to handle a rapidly changing environment’s dynamic gracefully. Proven collaborative leadership style; functions effectively as a member of the executive team and directs in a multinational capacity. Persuasive and concise communicator; experienced in dealing with all management team levels and coaching subordinates for greater productivity and understanding.

His core competencies range from Innovation & Process Development, Value Proposition & Enhancement, Marketing and Sales Execution, Executive Level Engagement, Negotiations and Business Decision-Making, Projects and Deliverables Management, Commercial and Infrastructure Projects, Stakeholder and Relationship Management, International Relations, Strategic Oversight , Board Participation and Exemplary Leadership

His other proficiencies are Data & Business Processes, Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Feasibility Studies, Value for Money, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Financial Modelling, Project Financing, Gap & Impact Analysis, RAID Management, and Predictive Modelling. Technical Tools: Microsoft Office Suite & Project Applications, Accpacc-Simply Accounting, Sage, SAP. Soft Skills: Time Management, Active Listening, Excellent Organizational skillset, Written and Oral Communication, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Diversity and Inclusivity, Patience, Attention to Details.

Amid an array of Eni-Ikeh’s expertise and accomplishments are his strategic agility to thrive in ambiguity, adapt to competitive landscape changes, and continuously improve planning framework to ensure connections between strategic goals and budget; In-depth understanding of strategic alignment and prioritization across resources, capabilities and competencies necessary to execute plan for scale and growth Built credibility, established rapport, and maintained communication with corporate and global partners, Diversely experienced in financial solutions from start-up to workout, turnaround and rapid growth-resolving long standing problems and creating solutions that improve operational efficiency, bottom-line, results-oriented commercial director with a thorough understanding of the complexity of international financial operations and broad knowledge of corporate governance structure, compliance issues, and strategy. He led the successful merger of the two (2) companies, ATIAT LEASING LIMITED and VFD BRIDGE to become ATIAT LIMITED, which is a leading leasing and finance company. He is successfully turned ATIAT’s organization’s PBT around from a loss position to one of the most profitable investee companies in the VFD group Plc and won the ‘’CEO of the Year 2021” award at VFD Group Plc; an investment group with over 40 investee companies.

Historical Background of Atiat:

Atiat Limited is a solutions company incorporated in 2007. Atiat Limited is a company rooted in world-class culture of excellence, constantly leaning forward to innovations and new opportunities to grow its market share. VFD Bridge started operations in 2011 with one goal: to provide our clients with an alternative source of finance for their short-term needs. VFD Bridge was a debt investment company that provided personal financial advisory services to individuals and small businesses. Atiat Limited merged with VFD Bridge in 2022, a bridge finance company to become one of the largest leasing and lending companies.

Atiat has Two (2) subsidiaries: