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Few Nigerian business leaders have built as many firsts as Ibukun Awosika. This Ibukun Awosika biography follows a chemistry graduate who started a furniture company in 1989. She grew it into a manufacturing group and later became the first woman to chair First Bank of Nigeria. Her career spans manufacturing, banking, education and women’s leadership. This article covers her education, business career and achievements.
Who Is Ibukun Awosika?
Ibukun Awosika is a Nigerian entrepreneur, author and corporate leader. She is the founder and chief executive of The Chair Centre Group. The group makes and sells office furniture and provides security systems for banks. She also founded the Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy. She convenes the International Woman Leadership Conference in Dubai.
Early Life and Education
Awosika attended St Paul’s African Church Primary School in Lagos. She then studied at Methodist Girls’ High School in Yaba. She earned a degree in Chemistry from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University.
Later, she kept studying after she started her business. She completed the Chief Executive Programme at Lagos Business School. She then earned a Global Executive MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona. Awosika also completed a Global CEO Programme run by Wharton, IESE and the China European International Business School.
A chemistry degree is an unusual start for a business leader. It trained her to test ideas and work methodically. Her later business degrees gave her the tools to manage a growing company.
Early Career
Awosika gained her first work experience at Akintola Williams and Company, an accounting firm. She also worked at Alibert Nigeria Limited. Those jobs taught her how companies manage money and operations. She then left to start her own business.
Founding The Chair Centre
Awosika founded her company in 1989. It began as Quebees Limited, and it later became The Chair Centre. The business sold office furniture in a market that depended heavily on imports.
She grew it into a group of companies. The Chair Centre Limited handles furniture retail. Sokoa Chair Centre Limited manufactures furniture. Furniture Manufacturers Mart and Cubes and Boxes Limited sit in the group as well. TCC Security Systems provides security equipment for bank branches.
Why Manufacturing Mattered
Many Nigerian buyers once imported office chairs and desks. Awosika chose to manufacture locally. Local production created jobs and shortened delivery times. It also let her tailor products to Nigerian offices.
Her group serves banks, schools and corporate clients across Nigeria and West Africa. Banks provided steady demand, which helped the business grow.
Joining the First Bank Board
In October 2010, Awosika joined the board of First Bank of Nigeria. A few months later, she became chair of FBN Life Assurance, a start-up joint venture with the South African insurer Sanlam. She later chaired FBN Capital, which merged with another unit to form the FBNQuest Merchant Bank Group. She also chaired Kakawa Discount House.
These roles prepared her for the top board seat. She learned how a large financial group governs its subsidiaries.
First Woman to Chair First Bank
Awosika became Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria in January 2016. She was the first woman to hold the post. The appointment followed the retirement of Prince Ajibola Afonja. It marked a major moment for women in Nigerian corporate life.
She served for about five years. She has said her board focused on governance and long-term plans for the bank.
The 2021 Removal
In April 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria removed the boards of First Bank and its parent company. The dispute began after Awosika’s board retired the managing director, Adesola Adeduntan, before his term ended. The central bank said the board had not followed due process. It said its action protected customers and minority shareholders. The regulator then reinstated Adeduntan and appointed new directors.
Awosika defended her record. She said she and her board acted in good faith and in the bank’s interest. She also said she had worked to rebuild the bank over her years on its board.
Other Boards and Leadership Roles
Awosika has served on many boards beyond banking. She chairs GEMS Africa, an education group. She chairs House of Tara International and the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre. Awosika helped found that centre to improve youth employability. She is a past chair of the board of trustees of Women in Management and Business.
She was the first chairperson of Nigeria’s National Advisory Board for Impact Investing. In April 2026, she resigned from the board of Cadbury Nigeria after 16 years.
Awards and Recognition
Awosika has won many honours. In 2008, she became the first Nigerian to receive the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge Award. The United States Department of State nominated her for it. In 2019, the Queen of Spain gave her the International Friendship Award. She was the first African to receive it.
Leadership Academy and Faith Work
Awosika founded the Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy to train leaders. She also convenes the International Woman Leadership Conference in Dubai. She started the Christian Missionary Fund as well. It supports faith-based work across Nigeria.
Family
Awosika is married to Abiodun Awosika. They have three children. She has spoken often about balancing a demanding career with family life.
What Her Career Teaches
Three lessons stand out. First, local manufacturing can build a lasting business. Her furniture group grew by serving Nigerian customers directly. Second, boards need people who understand operations. Her years running a company shaped her work as a director. Third, governance carries real risk. Her 2021 removal shows that board decisions face close regulatory scrutiny.
