Our Leadership

| Our Bank

Board Of Directors

Management Team

Mr. Femi Agbaje

Chairman

Mr. Femi Agbaje

Chairman

Mr Agbaje is a History/Political science graduate of the University of Ife, Ile-Ife and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is also a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants in the United Kingdom. Mr Agbaje has over 35 years experience covering Audit, Banking and Industry. He started his professional career at Peat Marwick Casselton Elliot & Co. and left the practice at Arthur Young Oshindero & Moret. He then spent over 20 years in banking starting at Nigerian American Merchant Bank Limited and leaving as Managing Director of Midas Bank Plc. He then worked in Industry for over 10 years as the Group Chief Financial Officer at Notore Chemical Industries Plc (Nitrogenous Fertiser producer) before retiring in 2018.

Bukola Smith, FCA

Managing Director/CEO

Bukola Smith, FCA

Managing Director/CEO

Bukola Smith holds an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, U.K, and a B.Sc. Economics from the University of Lagos. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN), Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and an Associate Member, Certified Institute of Pensions (Nigeria). She became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FSDH Merchant Bank in April 2021. She brings 29 years of progressive experience in the banking industry with a track record of strategic execution and leadership. Before her appointment as Managing Director, she was the Executive Director, Business Development at First City Monument Bank and held several other leadership positions since joining in 2006. She was responsible for the banks over 200 branches across the country, Public Sector, Business Banking, Agriculture and Transaction Banking Divisions. Under her, the bank’s SME focused team in 3 years moved from 5th position in the industry to 1st position in 2019 (KPMG Customer Service Report 2020). In addition, she established the FCMB Women in Business Desk (branded SheVentures) which supports female entrepreneurs; and set up FCMB Trustees and FCMB Custody. She was at some point the Divisional Head Treasury, Divisional Head Internal Audit and has also had responsibility for the Investment Banking and Registrar Subsidiaries of the Bank. Bukola also sat on the board on Legacy (now FCMB) Pension Funds Ltd., CSL Stockbrokers Ltd and FCMB Trustees Ltd. Prior to joining FCMB in 2006, she worked with FSB International Bank from 1992 to 2000 and Fidelity Bank plc from 2000 to 2006 gaining experiences in several areas of banking including treasury operations, international trade services, foreign and local currency trading, bond trading, Correspondent Banking and relationship management of Non-Bank Financial Institutions and Private Banking Clients. Bukola currently sits on the boards of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), and the Toyin Oni Foundation (NGO for cancer awareness). She serves as a mentor to several young women within and outside these networks.

Mr. Patrice Backer

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Patrice Backer

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Backer is the Chief Investment Officer of AFIG Funds and has been with the Fund since its inception in 2006. He leads all aspects of the investment process and is a member of the Fund’s Investment Committee. Prior to AFIG Funds, Patrice was the Managing Director of PromoCapital, and prior to that was with JPMorgan’s Emerging Markets Sales and Trading and Latin America M&A groups. Patrice graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering in 1988. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute, both earned in 1993.

Prof. Isabella Elizabeth Okagbue

Non-Executive Director

Prof. Isabella Elizabeth Okagbue

Non-Executive Director

Professor Isabella Okagbue, is an accomplished lawyer and academic with several published books and articles to her credit. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar. Isabella had a distinguished academic career for many years with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies where she rose from the position of Graduate Assistant to become a professor of law and the Director of Research. While at the Institute her scholarship focused on criminal law and criminal justice, civil liberties, women’s rights and juvenile justice. She worked for a short period with the United Nations in Somalia with UNOSOM II where she was responsible for the prisons, street children and juvenile justice programmes run by the United Nations in Somalia. After leaving the Institute she switched gears and engaged in corporate law work. She joined the United Bank for Africa Plc and over the course of her employment held various positions including General Counsel, Company Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer. She subsequently joined Metis Capital Partners Ltd as an Executive Director where she ran the day to day operations of the company and advised on projects with international blue chip companies in telecommunications and real estate among others. She has since retired from Metis Capital. In the course of her career she has served on several other boards/councils including the board of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Ltd (Etisalat Nigeria), the Council of the Lagos State Multi-Door Courthouse and the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research. She is currently a non-executive director with FSDH Capital Ltd and FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd. She is a member of several professional organizations and serves on the boards of a number of NGOs including the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group, the Centre for Law and Business, and the Nigerian National Committee for the United World Colleges. Isabella has an LLB degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, an LLM degree from the University of Lagos and a second LLM degree from Harvard Law School. She was awarded the prestigious Fulbright African Senior Research Scholar Award and spent a further period at Harvard Law School as a Fulbright Fellow. Her other honours and awards include a Butterworths Fellowship from the London Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and Best Student Prize Faculty of Law University of Nigeria. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

Mr. Godwin Ize-Iyamu

Non-Executive Director (Independent)

Mr. Godwin Ize-Iyamu

Non-Executive Director (Independent)

Mr. Ize-Iyamu has over thirty years of professional experience spanning the Audit, Oil and Gas, and Banking Industries after qualification as a Certified Public Accountant. He started his banking career in Citibank Nigeria where he worked in Operations and Corporate Banking Sectors. He later joined United Bank for Africa Plc where he worked in Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking and Institutional Banking Sectors over fourteen years and served on the board as an Executive Director for five years. He is currently an Independent Director on the Board of FSDH Merchant Bank.

Mr. Kelechi Okoro

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Kelechi Okoro

Non-Executive Director

Kelechi was at Argentil Capital Partners where he originated and executed infrastructure transactions. Prior to Argentil, he worked with the Infrastructure and Natural Resources Group of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and at ARM Investment Managers (with ~USD 2bn AUM), both in Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor’s in Human Physiology from the University of Ibadan, and an M.B.A. from Lagos Business School. He serves as a Non-Executive Director.

Mr. Musa Ali Baba

Non-Executive Director (Independent)

Mr. Musa Ali Baba

Non-Executive Director (Independent)

Musa Ali Baba is a technology and finance strategist with over 25 years of varied experiences. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Wales, an MBA from the London Business School; and did the IMP at the Stern School of Business, NYU. He is also an alumnus of MIT’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP) and the African Angel Academy. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consulting. He started his career at First Securities Discount House and is the Managing Director of Teasy International (TeasyPay). He also co-founded Newe Partners, an advisory firm and has worked at Pfizer, Microsoft and Oracle Corporations, as well as in government. He engages himself in activities aimed at growing Nigeria’s innovation-driven enterprise ecosystem. He serves on the board as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

Stella-Marie Omogbai

Executive Director

Stella-Marie Omogbai

Executive Director

Stella-Marie Omogbai is an Executive Director at FSDH Merchant Bank Limited and heads the Corporate Banking and branches division of the bank. Prior to joining FSDH, she worked at Keystone Bank Limited (previously Bank PHB) as the Head of the Energy Group and also as the Deputy Head of Corporate Banking. She has over 27 years’ banking experience having worked in Senior Management positions in several financial institutions. Some of the financial institutions she has worked in include Magnum Trust Bank Limited (Sterling Bank), Access Bank, Lead Merchant Bank, UBA, and Ecobank, and Bank PHB/Keystone Bank. Ms. Omogbai is a graduate of the University of Benin and the Nigerian Law School. She obtained an MBA from the University of Wales (Holborn College), United Kingdom. She has participated in several senior management courses both locally and internationally including programs at the Harvard Business School (USA), London Business School (UK), and IE Business School (Madrid, Spain). Ms. Omogbai is also a member of the following organizations: Wimboard Africa Fellow, Life Associate, Women in Business and Management (WIMBIZ), Honorary Member (HCIB), Nigerian Institute of Bankers, Member, Women’s Global Leadership Network (Energy & Technology), Member, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) (MNIM).

Hakeem Muhammed, CFA

Executive Director

Hakeem Muhammed, CFA

Executive Director

As the Divisional Head with responsibility for leading the Global Markets, Prestige and Correspondent Banking businesses at FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Hakeem oversees the trading business (which includes FX Trading, Derivatives Structuring, Fixed Income Trading and Balance Sheet Management), Wealth Management business covering both HNI & Institutional Investor clients, as well as manage relationships with FSDH’s correspondent banks. He is a business leader and key member of the senior management team at FSDH where he balances his stewardship responsibilities with driving shareholder value enhancement via strategy execution and business risks mitigation. Prior to joining FSDH in 2020, Hakeem worked at Citibank Nigeria for 16 years in several areas of the bank including FX Trading, Transaction Services, Business Analysis, Relationship Management, Credit/Risk Management and Business Unit Compliance. In his last role before leaving Citi, he was a Vice President (Sales and Structuring) responsible for providing Citi’s Corporate and Institutional clients with solutions. Hakeem earned an Executive MBA from the Lagos Business School and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Ahmadu Bello University. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), holds the prestigious CFA designation, is an alumnus of IESE Business School’s Executive Management Programme and has participated in several senior management courses both locally and internationally over the years, including Citi’s Emerging Leaders Program. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and ACI Financial Markets Association. Hakeem is a passionate financial literacy advocate, and loves to share his knowledge with young finance professionals through various platforms.

Kubi Momoh

Executive Director

Kubi Momoh

Executive Director

Kubi Momoh is the Executive Director, Risk Management and Executive Compliance Officer of FSDH Merchant Bank. She is a highly accomplished executive with over 30 outstanding years of experience in risk management, treasury operations, and financial leadership. She has a proven track record of success in senior roles at top-tier institutions, including Citibank, UBA, and Keystone Bank. Before joining FSDH, she was the Risk Consultant, Nova Merchant Bank Ltd, and United Bank of Africa, Plc, General Manager, Risk Management and Chief Risk Officer at Keystone Bank Ltd, to mention a few. She possesses in-depth expertise in market risk, credit risk, operational risk, and compliance with various professional certifications, including FCA, CRM, and FCRM.

Mr. Taiwo Otiti

Executive Director

Mr. Taiwo Otiti

Executive Director

Mr. Otiti is the Executive Director in charge of Operations and Information Technology (IT) Division. He is responsible for formulating and implementing strategies that will promote efficiencies, and to enhance customers’ experience with FSDH, leveraging on modern IT tools. Taiwo is an accomplished Technology and Banking Executive with 25 years of experience in change management and transformation. Prior to joining FSDH, he was the General Manager and Divisional Head, Operations and Information Technology of Central Securities Clearing Systems Plc (CSCS) where he oversaw Operations Department and the Information Technology Department. He had worked in the following institutions before he joined CSCS: IBM West Africa, Mainstreet Bank (formerly Afribank of Nigeria), First Bank of Nigeria, Citibank Nigeria Limited Lagos Nigeria amongst others. He has a wealth of experience and record of accomplishment in the local financial services sector spanning Capital Market, Banking and Payments. Taiwo has been instrumental to enhancing and deepening the technology and operational capabilities of the Nigerian Banking industry with the implementation of several core banking and payment solutions. He has also supported product development and service automation. Taiwo holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the Loughborough University of Technology England and a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Carleton University Canada. He is also an Associate Member, Computer Association of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Institute of Directors and Institute of Credit Administration.

Mr. Tosayee Ogbomo

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Tosayee Ogbomo

Non-Executive Director

Mr Ogbomo is a senior finance expert with over 27 years of international and local finance and investment experience. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Benin in 1988, he also holds an M.Sc. in Finance from Bentley College Graduate School in 1993 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1997. He worked as a senior associate at PriceWaterhouseCoopers in 1993 and then as a Director at Merrill Lynch and as a Managing Director, Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs from 2004 to 2011. He was a Partner at Vine Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in key sectors in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. He serves as a director on the board of FSDH Asset Management Limited.

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Bukola Smith, FCA

Managing Director/CEO

Bukola Smith, FCA

Managing Director/CEO

Stella-Marie Omogbai

Executive Director, Corporate Banking and Branches

Stella-Marie Omogbai

Executive Director, Corporate Banking and Branches

Hakeem Muhammed, CFA

Executive Director, Global Markets and Institutional Banking Division

Hakeem Muhammed, CFA

Executive Director, Global Markets and Institutional Banking Division

Kubi Momoh

Executive Director, Risk Management and Executive Compliance Officer

Kubi Momoh

Executive Director, Risk Management and Executive Compliance Officer

Babatunde Obidare

Divisional Head, Information Technology and Operations

Babatunde Obidare

Divisional Head, Information Technology and Operations

Mr. Obidare is the head of the bank’s Operations department. Before joining FSDH, he garnered extensive experience in banking operations, process improvements and Internal Controls at Citibank Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Standard Bank of South Africa. He is an alumnus of the University of Benin, a Chartered Accountant, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Documentary Credit Specialist. He has degree in Business Administration and a career background in Reconciliation and Trade Services. Mr. Obidare also attended the Senior Leadership Programme (SLP) of the Standard Bank Global Leadership Centre, anchored by the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) of the University of Pretoria and has participated in several senior management courses both locally and internationally

Kunle Osunkunle

Head of Corporate Division, Corporate Banking

Kunle Osunkunle

Head of Corporate Division, Corporate Banking

Mr. Osunkunle heads the Corporates Division in Corporate Banking at FSDH Merchant Bank. He joined FSDH in 2000 to work with the Risk Management Unit. Prior to joining FSDH, he worked with Merchant Banking Corporation Nigeria Limited (MBC) and Z. O. Ososanya & Co. (a firm of Chartered accountants). With over 16 years Risk Management and Investment Banking experience, Mr Osunkunle has effectively functioned in the Telecoms, Manufacturing, General Commerce and Real Estate sectors. He is a Management and Accounting graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) and has an MBA from the Pan African University (Lagos Business School). He is also an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and has participated in several senior management courses both locally and internationally.

Oluwaseun Omole

Chief Financial Officer

Oluwaseun Omole

Chief Financial Officer

Seun Omole is a consummate banker and chartered accountant, with expertise in business strategy, financial and management reporting, risk management and operations control. As the Chief Financial Officer at FSDH Merchant Bank, he provides financial leadership by aligning BU financial strategies to strategic business direction of the bank. His responsibilities include strategic planning, overseeing budget preparation and implementation; financial and management reporting; anticipating and controlling financial risks; and ensuring the development and implementation of accounting policies and procedures, in line with leading practices and standards. Seun started his career at Stanbic IBTC Asset Management as Operations officer in 2006 and later joined Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers as Head of Financial Control between September 2008 and July 2011. He was later appointed in 2011 at Stanbic IBTC Bank as Business Manager for Global Markets Nigeria and subsequently West Africa where he was responsible for strategic planning, front office operations, risk management and controls across Standard Bank West Africa presence countries in Nigeria, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cote de’voire. In 2017, he joined Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited as Chief Financial Officer a position he held till November 2020 before joining FSDH Merchant Bank as Chief Financial Officer in December 2020. He is a graduate of Management and Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Olubukola Lanipekun-Lawal

Head, Human Resources

Olubukola Lanipekun-Lawal

Head, Human Resources

Olubukola Lanipekun-Lawal leads the Human Resources Department of FSDH Merchant Bank. She is an astute Human Resources Manager with over two decades of professional expertise and experience. She obtained a B.Sc. in Business Administration and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in management, both from the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. As an executive Human Resources Professional, Olubukola's human resource exposure cuts across the Financial Services Industry (i.e. Banking, Asset Management, Insurance), Oil & Gas, and Properties. She has participated in several open conversations on trending global manpower issues with strategic people-oriented solutions for business performance and talent management initiatives both as co-speaker and lead. She has had executive training in high-profile institutions in the US, UK, and Malaysia.

Taiwo Sanusi

Chief Compliance Officer

Taiwo Sanusi

Chief Compliance Officer

Taiwo has over 22 years working experience spanning auditing, taxation and banking with core competences in audit, tax and advisory. He has worked with notable financial institutions. He was Team Lead, Internal Audit Group of Union Bank Plc, Team Lead, Internal Control at Ecobank Plc, Head, Compliance Monitoring at UBA Plc. He was formerly Divisional Head, Group Internal Control and later Chief Compliance Officer for Bank PHB/Keystone Bank. He is currently the Chief Compliance Officer of FSDH Merchant Bank. He holds BSc. (Finance) from Ogun State University and MSc Financial Economics from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Chartered Taxation Institute of Nigeria and Compliance Institute of Nigeria in addition, to being a Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist of the United States.

Bolanle Meshida

Company Secretary and Legal Adviser

Bolanle Meshida

Company Secretary and Legal Adviser

Bolanle Meshida is the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser of FSDH Merchant Bank Limited. She provides legal counsel and governance guidance to the Board and Management. She is a seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate law, banking & finance, and corporate governance. She has held leadership positions in the in-house legal and governance functions in different banks in Nigeria. Prior to joining FSDH, Bolanle worked at Ecobank Nigeria, where she was the Regional Head of Legal, Lagos & South West and the Secretary to a number of board committees. She also held similar positions while she worked at Oceanic Bank International Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. She has a Master of Laws degree (LLM) from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) from the University of Lagos. Bolanle was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001. She was awarded the Dr. Nabo Graham-Douglas prize for best performance in company law and practice at the Nigerian law school bar finals in 2000. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Society for Corporate Governance, Nigeria.

Abosede Ibitoye

Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

Abosede Ibitoye

Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

Abosede Ibitoye heads the Risk Management Department of FSDH Merchant Bank. She is an accomplished risk management expert with over 20 years of professional experience. With a solid academic foundation including an M.Sc. in Risk Management from De Montfort University and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lagos, Abosede has honed her skills over a prolific career spanning various prestigious financial institutions. She boasts an impressive career at leading financial institutions, where she led risk management functions and boosted the ratings of the organizations. Abosede Ibitoye stands as a beacon of expertise and innovation in risk management, shaping the landscape of financial strategies while championing a holistic approach towards safeguarding company assets and fortifying capital bases.

Tolu Obadagbonyi

Treasurer

Tolu Obadagbonyi

Treasurer

Tolulope is the Treasurer of FSDH Merchant Bank. Prior to joining FSDH she worked with United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) and also served as the chief dealer at FBN Merchant Bank Ltd (Formerly Kakawa Discount House Ltd). She has a Masters in Finance and Management from Cranfield University, United Kingdom and a Masters in Business Administration –MBA, from the University of Lagos Nigeria. She is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School.

Management Team Collapse

Our Leadership

Board Of Directors

Management Team

Mr. Femi Agbaje

Bukola Smith, FCA

Mr. Patrice Backer

Prof. Isabella Elizabeth Okagbue

Mr. Godwin Ize-Iyamu

Mr. Kelechi Okoro

Mr. Musa Ali Baba

Stella-Marie Omogbai

Hakeem Muhammed, CFA

Kubi Momoh

Mr. Taiwo Otiti

Mr. Tosayee Ogbomo

Bukola Smith, FCA

Stella-Marie Omogbai

Hakeem Muhammed, CFA

Kubi Momoh

Babatunde Obidare

Kunle Osunkunle

Oluwaseun Omole

Olubukola Lanipekun-Lawal

Taiwo Sanusi

Bolanle Meshida

Abosede Ibitoye

Tolu Obadagbonyi

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