GoldMyne Woman of the Week: Ibukun Awosika, The Powerhouse of Purpose and Principles
This week, we spotlight an extraordinary woman whose influence spans boardrooms, global stages, and the hearts of young professionals across Africa, the ever-inspiring, ever-resourceful, ever-insightful Ibukun Awosika.
Ibukun is a force with a name synonymous with integrity, resilience, and visionary leadership. Ibukun Awosika is the former Chairperson of First Bank Nigeria, the founder/CEO of The Chair Centre Group, brain behind The Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy and Curator of The African Marketplace.
Ibukun not just a trailblazer in business; she is a purpose-driven woman who continues to champion entrepreneurship, ethics, and women empowerment. She has been an entrepreneur for over 36 years. She is also an award-winning inspirational woman as she won Forbes Woman Africa Chairperson Award in 2020.
Ibukun organises Life Series With Ibukun Awosika, a quarterly imactful gathering that hosts and builds up the next generation. Here, she coaches men and women alike, as she just concluded the men edition for 2025.
As the first female Chairperson of First Bank in its 126-year history, Ibukun redefined what’s possible for women in finance. Her leadership philoshipy is to lead with faith, purpose, and impact. Her journey is a testament to the fact that success is not only about titles or profits. It’s about value, discipline, and legacy.
Beyond the boardroom, she’s a mentor, global speaker, author of inspiring books like “The Girl Entrepreneurs”, and co-founder of the African Leadership Initiative. Her voice echoes in global development circles, from the World Economic Forum to international mentoring platforms.
Ibukun Awosika is a woman of faith who is married to Abiodun Awosika with three children. In a world often chasing hype, she is a steady force, proving that grace, grit, and God still make the strongest foundation for success.
Ibukun Awosika is not just our Woman of the Week. She is a woman for all seasons and she is worth celebrating just as much.
