Ibukun Awosika remains one of Nigeria’s most influential business leaders and faith figures in 2026. Recent public updates include her announced resignation from the Cadbury Nigeria board, effective May 1, 2026, after more than 15 years of service. She also continues to lead the Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy and the International Women’s Leadership Conference, which held a 2026 edition in Dubai.
Who Is Pastor Ibukun Awosika?
Ibukun Awosika is a Nigerian entrepreneur, author, pastor, and leadership advocate widely known for becoming the first female chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria. She is the founder of The Chair Centre Group and a long-standing voice on business ethics, women’s leadership, and faith-driven enterprise.
Her influence extends beyond corporate boardrooms. In 2026, she remains active in leadership development through her academy and her annual women’s conference, which continues to draw participants from Africa and the diaspora.
Pastor Ibukun Awosika’s Age
Ibukun Awosika was born on December 24, 1962, in Ibadan, Oyo State, according to multiple public profiles. That makes her 63 in 2026.
She has spent more than four decades building a public profile that combines entrepreneurship, governance, faith, and mentorship.
Early Life and Transformation Story
Awosika was born Bilkisu Abiodun Motunrayo Omobolanle Adekola and later became known as Ibukunoluwa Abiodun Awosika. Public profiles describe her as the third of seven children, raised in a family that helped shape her disciplined outlook.
Her story is often presented as one of transformation from modest beginnings into national influence. Over time, she moved from local education and early jobs into corporate leadership, eventually becoming one of Nigeria’s best-known female executives.
Education and Rise in Business
Awosika studied Chemistry at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. She later attended executive education programs at Lagos Business School, IESE Business School in Barcelona, and Wharton.
Her business journey began with work as an audit trainee and later as a showroom manager before she founded Quebees Limited in 1989, which later evolved into The Chair Centre Group. That move marked the start of a career that would make her one of Nigeria’s most recognizable business figures.
First Bank Chairperson
Awosika made history as the first female chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, serving from 2016 to 2021. The role placed her at the center of one of Nigeria’s most important financial institutions and made her a major symbol of women’s advancement in corporate leadership.
Her appointment was widely reported as a milestone for gender representation in Nigerian banking. She has also served on other corporate and nonprofit boards, reinforcing her profile as a governance and leadership expert.
Faith Journey and Ministry
Awosika is publicly described as an ordained pastor. She is associated with Christian ministry work and is the founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, a faith-based initiative that supports missionaries across Nigeria with medical, educational, and other supplies.
Her faith-centered public image is also reflected in her book Business His Way, which argues that business success can align with Christian values. Through this message, she has built a reputation for blending entrepreneurship with ministry and ethical leadership.
From Muslim Background to Pastor Blessing
Some online biographies and profiles say she was born with a Muslim name and later became known as Pastor Blessing Ibukun Awosika in Christian circles. Publicly available sources, however, do not give a fully detailed, verified account of every stage of her religious transition.
What is clear is that she is widely recognized today as an ordained pastor and a Christian leader whose work connects faith, business, and philanthropy.
Family Life
Awosika is married to Abiodun Awosika, and public sources say the couple has three sons. Her family life is often presented as part of her broader narrative of balancing public leadership with personal responsibilities.
Reports have identified the children as Oludola, Olafusika, and Olamiposi. While she keeps much of her private life out of the headlines, her family is a recurring part of her public profile.
Net Worth and Influence
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- Chair Centre Group: She is the founder and chairperson of this furniture manufacturing and security systems company in Nigeria.
- Corporate Boards: She has held notable board positions, including a long-standing directorship at Cadbury Nigeria Plc.
- Global Appointments: She has served on the board of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund and was appointed to the Binance Global Advisory Board.
Her influence in 2026 remains strong because she has built credibility across multiple sectors: manufacturing, finance, leadership training, women’s development, and faith-based outreach. Recent developments, such as her exit from the Cadbury Nigeria board, show that she remains active in the corporate space.
Leadership Academy and Conference
Awosika is the founder of the Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy and the convener of the International Women’s Leadership Conference. The 2026 edition of the conference was listed for Dubai on March 25, 2026, highlighting her continued international reach.
The conference is positioned as a platform for women of African descent to gain knowledge, empowerment, and networking opportunities. That makes it one of her most visible ongoing initiatives in 2026.
FAQ
What is Ibukun Awosika known for?
She is known as a Nigerian business leader, pastor, author, and the first female chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria.
Is Ibukun Awosika a pastor?
Yes. Public profiles describe her as an ordained pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund.
Who is Ibukun Awosika’s husband?
Her husband is Abiodun Awosika, and public sources say they have three sons.
What is the latest update on Ibukun Awosika in 2026?
A major 2026 update is her resignation from the Cadbury Nigeria board, effective May 1, 2026.
What is Ibukun Awosika’s age in 2026?
She was born on December 24, 1962, so she is 63 in 2026.
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