Words cannot completely express how I felt interviewing this amazon who has never ceased to be a blessing to millions of people around the world. The first female to be the chairman of First Bank Of Nigeria Limited, in the history of the bank’s existence.
The Chair Centre, her organisation, which she birthed 30 years ago, has grown into an outstanding enterprise, surrounded by willing staff who together, like Aaron and Hur in the Bible have ‘held her hands up’ in support through the years.
Every time I am opportune to listen to her speak from her wealth of knowledge and unmatched wisdom, something in me leaps, I am encouraged to aspire and do the seemingly impossible because, for her, there are no limits. Yes, she can? So can I.
It has been 30 years of hard work, commitment and relentlessness to her business as CEO of The Chair Centre Group. BusinessDay is indeed grateful she took out time out of her busy schedule, to share her journey with us. Her intriguing story we have divided into two parts. The first part is out today in our Women’s Hub Magazine (download online at businessday.ng) and the second part will be out next week on our CEO interview pages. Look out for it. Trust me, you are in for a treat.
Ladies and gentlemen welcome into the world of Ibukun Awosika.
Ibukun Awosika is the Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and most valuable banking brand. She is also the founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Group. The companies in the group include The Chair Centre Limited, Sokoa Chair Centre Limited, Furniture Manufacturers Mart, TCC Security Systems and Cubes and Boxes Limited. These companies are involved in manufacturing, retail and bank-way security systems services.
Ibukun chairs a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards amongst which are: D.light Design Inc., Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), Digital Jewel Limited, House of Tara International and Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC), a facility which she promoted to help address youth employability and enterprise issues in Nigeria. She sits on the boards of Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Imperial Gate School and Peniel Apartments Limited. She was Chairman, GEMS Africa Limited, FBN Life Assurance Limited, FBN Capital Limited and Kakawa Discount House Limited. She also served on the board of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
Ibukun is a graduate of Chemistry from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Nigeria; an alumna of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School; the Global Executive MBA of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain; and Global CEO Programme of Wharton, IESE and China European International Business School (CEIBS).
With high interest in social issues, including women, Ibukun is a co-founder and past chairperson of Women in Business, Management and Public Service (WIMBIZ). In November 2019, she was appointed as the President of International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC). An ordained Pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, Ibukun, through this faith-based organization, works with hundreds of missionaries spread across Nigeria to change lives with the provision of medical, educational, and other supplies.
As a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative, Aspen Global Leadership Network, Institute of Directors and Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Ibukun, through her projects, aspires to use her opportunities in life to further the greatness of her dear country by raising entrepreneurs to create jobs for the large unemployed youthful population. She is a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), served on National Job Creation Committee (NJCC), and sits on the International Advisory Board of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain and the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University.
Ibukun is a multiple award-winning entrepreneur and the first Nigerian recipient of the prestigious International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC)Award as a nominee of the US Department of State in 2008. She loves to watch investigative and legal series in her leisure time. She is happily married to Abiodun Awosika and they are blessed with three wonderful sons.
The Chair Centre Group is a Nigerian indigenous Group of Company established by Ibukun Awosika. It specializes in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of office furniture & bank-way security doors with resounding experience since 1989 and still counting. The Group comprises of The Chair Centre Limited (TCCL), Sokoa Chair Centre Limited (SCCL), TCC L Laminate Factory and the TCC Systems & Services Limited.
“From the perspective of the Chair Centre, clocking 30 this year for us is a landmark. Sometimes, I sit back and ask myself, ‘how did we survive for this long?’ But then, when I think about how over the years, several people have joined hands with me to build the company, many people who have sacrificed their time, skills and knowledge to add value, I can’t but thank God. I am a firm believer in empowering people because it has never been about me” Ibukun said.
