IIF appoints Aigbogun as board chairman

…Welcomes Ishmael, Hassan to NABII

The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) has announced the appointment of Frank Aigbogun, publisher of BusinessDay Media, as the new chairman of the IIF Board of Trustees.

A statement said under Aigbogun’s leadership, IIF will deepen its influence in shaping the country’s impact investment landscape, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and championing innovative solutions that address Nigeria’s most critical challenges.

IIF said Aigbogun brings several years of exceptional leadership, management, influence and significant contributions to advancing and promoting impact investing in the media space.

He started his career as a journalist and later became the publisher of BusinessDay newspaper in 2001. He began his journalism career at The Guardian newspaper and moved on to Vanguard newspaper where he rose to the position of editor of all the titles of the newspaper. He served for many years as the Lagos correspondent of the Associated Press (AP).

Aigbogun holds a degree in Mass Communication and is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School. He was a member of the Vision 2010, assigned by the government to formulate a long-term economic vision for Nigeria. Notably, he served as the alternate rapporteur for the sub-committee on competition and deregulation. He has also served on the governing board of Nigeria’s National Competitiveness Council.

Commenting on his appointment, Aigbogun, said, “This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to shaping the trajectory of impact investing at a time when investments that deliver meaningful and measurable change for Nigeria have become even more paramount.”

The Nigerian National Advisory Board on Impact Investing (NABII), an advisory board under IIF, said it is equally delighted to welcome two prominent industry leaders.

Tokunboh Ishmael, managing director and co-founder of Alitheia Capital, and Gbenga Hassan, managing partner at Argentil Capital, are joining NABII with their wealth of experience and expertise in Impact Investing, Gender Lens Investing, Fund Management, Venture Capital and Private Equity.

As the chair of IIF, Aigbogun also joined the NABII as vice chair of the Advisory Board. Their addition underscores NABII’s commitment to harnessing exceptional talent to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s impact investment ecosystem.

Ishmael said, “Joining NABII provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the scaling of impactful solutions that address societal challenges while driving economic growth. I look forward to working with this dynamic team to advance our shared vision.”

Hassan added, “Impact investing holds the power to unlock Nigeria’s potential and create lasting value. I am excited to join NABII in its mission to mobilise capital and inspire action for sustainable development.”

Ishmael is a renowned advocate for gender lens investing and a pioneer in creating innovative financial solutions that address systemic inequalities.

As managing director and co-founder of Alitheia Capital, a female-led private equity firm, she is one of the first in Africa to pioneer impact investing in private equity that embodies her philosophy of profit with a purpose. She also co-founded Alitheia IDF where she raised over $100 million to invest in female-led businesses in Africa. Some of the companies she has invested in are already changing and redefining their sector. Her extensive experience in fund management and investment strategy makes her an invaluable asset to NABII.

Hassan brings over two decades of leadership in venture capital, private equity, and financial services.

The statement said as managing partner at Argentil Capital, he has led transformative investments across sectors, driving sustainable growth and innovation. His expertise in structuring deals and managing portfolios will play a key role in advancing NABII’s objectives.

Etemore Glover, CEO of Impact Investors Foundation, said, “Given the new board members’ impressive careers championing sustainable investment and driving transformative change, I am confident that their diverse and extensive skillsets, combined with their vast experience in industry will play a pivotal role in helping to steer the direction of the foundation.”

Under the guidance of Aigbogun and with the strategic expertise of Ishmael and Hassan, IIF and NABII are well-positioned to drive impactful investments, foster economic empowerment, and promote sustainable development in Nigeria. These appointments reflect a shared commitment to shaping a thriving impact economy and unlocking new opportunities for growth and resilience.

The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) engages and collaborates with key stakeholders, active in the impact investing space, to unlock private capital for social investments in Nigeria. IIF’s overarching goal is to promote the growth and excellence of impact investing in Nigeria. In the last five years, IIF has been playing a leading role in the impact investing ecosystem in Nigeria by convening stakeholders in government, private and social sectors to advance its growth. In furtherance of its effort to accelerate the market potential, the IIF established the Nigerian National Advisory Board for Impact Investing (NABII). The role of the NABII is to design and implement national strategies, regulations and policies that address the barriers inhibiting the growth of impact investing while unlocking opportunities for more impactful investments.