Ademola Adebise: A Tech Wiz Turned Monetary Trailblazer

Ademola Adebise, the CEO and Managing Director of Wema Financial institution, is a distinguished Nigerian banker whose laborious work and clear focus drove him by means of the ranks in Africa’s first absolutely digital financial institution.

The Nigerian enterprise government graduated from the College of Lagos with a Bachelor’s diploma in Laptop Engineering in 1987. Upon commencement, he labored as a Programmer and Techniques analyst at an indigenous Info expertise firm in Nigeria. Ademola additionally owns a Grasp of Enterprise Administration (MBA) from the Lagos Enterprise Faculty.

How the pc engineer grew to become a banker

Ademola started his profession within the banking sector when he received employed within the Info expertise division of Chartered Financial institution Plc (Now Stanbic IBTC financial institution) in 1990. After working within the division for some time, he grew to develop into the top of the division. As head of IT, Ademola was an integral a part of the staff that developed the financial institution software utilized by the corporate for 10 years earlier than they switched.

The CEO who needed to do greater than expertise grew to become a chartered accountant in 1993. With that, he moved into the monetary management room and grew to develop into the Chief Monetary Officer (CFO) of the financial institution. Because the CFO, he made contributions to the formulation of technique for the financial institution.

Ademola’s tenacity made him expertise development in his profession. He grew to become the Assistant Common Supervisor of Chartered Financial institution Plc and in addition labored as a Challenge Supervisor on numerous initiatives with Andersen Consulting. A few of which embody: IT Techniques Evaluate, Course of Re-engineering and Core Banking software choice.

In 2001, he moved to the Nationwide Financial institution of Nigeria Restricted and served within the capability of a Common Supervisor. As normal supervisor, he managed the next enterprise models: Company Banking, Treasury and Digital Enterprise models, Danger Administration, Info Know-how, Finance and Efficiency Administration. After spending 5 years on the Nationwide Financial institution, Ademola moved on to Accenture in November 2005. 

In keeping with Ademola, his stay at Accenture redefined his profession. He had the chance to seek the advice of as a topic knowledgeable. He served because the Head of Finance & Efficiency Administration observe, Challenge Supervisor for numerous Tasks within the Monetary Providers Business, and Program Supervisor for a Massive Transformation programme for an previous Era Financial institution. Serving in these capacities gave him the privilege of placing his expertise and accounting background to make use of. Throughout his 4 yr sojourn at Accenture, Ademola was fully repackaged for the banking business. 

Ademola’s trajectory at Africa’s First Totally Digital Financial institution, Wema 

In 2009, Ademola picked up an Govt Director function at Wema Financial institution Plc. As Govt Director, he was in control of South Financial institution for over 7 years. He later grew to become the Deputy Managing Director in 2017 and supervised Company Banking, Treasury, and Assist Capabilities. Serving as deputy director, uncovered him to a number of coaching alternatives. One such is the Superior Administration Program on the Havard Enterprise Faculty. Following the retirement of Mr Segun Oloketuyi his predecessor Ademola grew to become the CEO/Managing Director in October 2018.

Notable achievements as CEO/MD

Throughout Ademola’s tenure, Wema Financial institution’s asset base grew by 155 per cent to over N1.2 trillion, and its deposits by 214 per cent to N1.1 trillion. The financial institution shares outperformed competitor banks in relative phrases, attaining triple its stability sheet dimension. Additionally they paid dividends to shareholders repeatedly for 4 years following a decade-long hiatus.

As a part of its dedication to sustainable monetary providers, Ademola led the establishment to join the United Nations Setting Programme Finance Initiative – UNEP-FI. He additionally marshalled the financial institution to prime the maiden version of the KPMG Digital Channels Scorecard in 2020 and was a joint-first within the KPMG Banking Business Buyer Service Survey rating.

Moreover, Ademola was part of the management staff that launched ALAT. ALAT has grown to develop into a number one digital monetary providers platform in Nigeria with over 1.3m customers. He additionally steered the financial institution to signal Davido, as a model ambassador. This marketing campaign ushered within the opening of over 700,000 accounts in a few week.

At present, Wema is the main assortment financial institution for state and authorities companies as a result of its efficient and environment friendly platform.

Fundamental ideas that formed Ademola’s expertise

Ademola is a centered and hardworking government, who knew and recognized what he needed to do early in life. He had a mentor from his early days at Chartered Financial institution Plc that assist form his profession and private life. Past this, Ademola held unto his values as he pursued his ardour. He believed in development and was affected person along with his course of.

Extra wins

Ademola serves on the board of Nigeria Inter-Financial institution Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), AIICO insurance coverage Plc, and AIICO Pension Managers Restricted. He’s a revered member of a number of skilled organizations, together with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). He has additionally been recognised for his contributions to the Nigerian banking business, receiving a number of awards and accolades through the years. In 2020, he was named the Banker of the 12 months on the Management Excellence Awards, and in 2021, he was acknowledged as one of many Prime 100 CEOs in Nigeria by BusinessDay.

NEXT:Kagure Wamunyu: Shaking Up Kenya’s Multi-Million Dollar Construction Industry