Prior to his appointment, he was the Group Managing Director, First Ally Capital Limited, an investment banking firm based in Lagos where he committed over 9-years qualitative service to the development of the Organization.

Mr Ebenezer Olufowose was appointed to the Board of Directors of First Bank of Nigeria Limited on 29 April 2021.

Before joining the First Bank Board, he was an Executive Director at Access Bank Plc, between  May 2007- August 2013- 6years 4 Months.

He was also an Executive Director at the Citibank Nigeria, between December 2022- May 2007 where he led Citigroup’s origination, structuring and execution of corporate finance and investment, banking transactions in Nigeria.

With over 35 years of working in the financial services industry, Ebenezer brings skills gathered across Corporate Finance, Project Finance and Investment Banking to the Board.

Ebenezer Olufowose actually started his banking career in 1985, at NAL Merchant Bank Plc (NAL) where he worked in the Corporate Planning and Corporate Finance Departments.

Academic Portfolio

Ebenezer Olufowose holds a first-class honors degree in Economics from the University of Lagos, and  a MA in International Economics from the University of Sussex, England.

He has attended several management and leadership training programs at leading institutions including the Institute of Management Development, Switzerland, Harvard Business School, Boston USA, and INSEAD Singapore.

Ebenezer Olufowose, the new chairman of First Bank Nigeria, is an Alumnus of the Harvard Business School and the Lagos Business School and an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration and Fellow of the Association of Investment Advisers & Portfolio Managers.

This was contained in an official filing by FBN Holdings published on the stock exchange website.

His departure marks the end of a 12-year tenure on the board, adhering to the tenure guidelines set by the Central Bank of Nigeria for Non-Executive Directors.

Stepping into this key leadership role, Mr. Ebenezer Olufowose has been appointed as the new Chairman. Olufowose, who joined the FirstBank Board as a Non-Executive Director in April 2021, brings a robust portfolio of experience spanning over three decades in the financial sector.

Prior to his new role, he served as the Group Managing Director of First Ally Capital Limited, a notable investment banking firm in Lagos.

Odukale’s exit also follows that of the former Managing Director of First Bank Ltd Adesola Adeduntan who also resigned following attaining the maximum tenure limit for the bank.

Tunde Hassan-Odukale joined the Board of First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a Non-Executive Director in 2011.

He is the Managing Director of Leadway Assurance Company Limited.

His executive management experience spanning over 22 years includes asset management, finance, IT and life insurance operations.

Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale has been a notable figure in Nigeria’s financial sector, prominently serving as the Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

His tenure as Chairman is characterized by strategic leadership and substantial contributions to the bank’s growth and stability.

Prior to his role as Chairman, he held various key positions in the financial industry, showcasing a broad understanding of corporate governance and financial management.

He is on the board of directors of various blue-chip companies, including First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Digital Jewels Limited.

As the Managing Director of Leadway Assurance Company Limited, he plays a significant role in the insurance industry.