Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola is a Nigerian banker who serves as the CEO of Polaris Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest commercial banks. He was appointed by Nigeria’s Central Bank (CBN) on January 11, 2024.
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Biography
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola is a Nigerian banker who serves as the CEO of Polaris Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest commercial banks. He was appointed by Nigeria’s Central Bank (CBN) on January 11, 2024. He was born in 1973 in Lagos, Nigeria.
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Early Life & Education
He was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1973. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos in 1995 and a Master of Business Administration from the Netherlands Business School in 1998. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), as well as a graduate of the Lagos Business School, Columbia University Graduate School of Business, and the University of Oxford.
He began his banking career in 1998 as a Senior Manager at Prime Merchant Bank, where he oversaw the treasury and foreign currency functions. In 2000, he joined Ecobank Nigeria as Group Head of Corporate Banking, where he managed a portfolio of corporate clients from diverse industries. In 2003, he joined Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria as a Regional Executive of Corporate and Institutional Banking, leading business growth and relationship management efforts in Nigeria’s South-West area. In 2006, he was appointed Executive Director of Corporate and Investment Banking at Sterling Bank Plc, where he oversaw the strategic business divisions of corporate banking, institutional banking, project finance, structured finance, and trade finance. In 2018, he left Sterling Bank to establish Intermediate Equity Partners Limited, a Lagos-based firm that serves corporate and institutional clients with advisory and consulting services. In 2020, he was appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fractional Investment Services Limited, a real estate company that provides creative and economical housing alternatives to Nigerians.
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola has a strong educational background that has given him the information and abilities required to succeed in the banking profession. Here are some of his academic qualifications:
- He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos.
- He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Netherlands Business School.
- He is an ICAN Fellow, as well as a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
- He graduated from the Lagos Business School, Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business, and the University of Oxford.
His education has prepared him for his banking career in a variety of ways. For example:
- His accounting degree provided him with a solid foundation in financial analysis, reporting, and auditing, all of which are critical skills for managing a bank’s assets and obligations.
- His MBA degree improved his strategic thinking, decision-making, and leadership abilities, all of which are necessary for heading a large and complicated organization like Polaris Bank.
- His professional certificates and memberships indicated his skill, integrity, and dedication to the highest standards of the banking industry.
- His education at prominent business colleges introduced him to worldwide best practices, rising trends, and creative banking solutions.
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Career
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola had a long and prosperous profession in banking, lasting over 25 years. He has experience in a variety of roles and sectors, including corporate and investment banking, treasury, risk management, and business development. He has also developed and executed numerous strategic projects, initiatives, and transactions that have benefited the organizations he has worked for and the consumers he serves. Here’s an overview of his career path:
- He started his career in 1998 as a Senior Manager at Prime Merchant Bank, where he was responsible for managing the bank’s treasury operations and foreign exchange dealings.
- In 2000, he joined Ecobank Nigeria as a Group Head of Corporate Banking, where he oversaw the bank’s portfolio of corporate clients in various sectors, such as oil and gas, telecommunications, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
- In 2003, he moved to Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria as a Regional Executive of Corporate and Institutional Banking, where he led the bank’s business development and relationship management activities in the South-West region of Nigeria.
- In 2006, he was appointed as the Executive Director of Corporate and Investment Banking at Sterling Bank Plc, where he was in charge of the bank’s strategic business units, such as corporate banking, institutional banking, project finance, structured finance, and trade finance.
- In 2018, he left Sterling Bank to set up Intermediate Equity Partners Limited, a Lagos-based firm that provides advisory and consultancy services to corporate and institutional clients in various sectors and markets.
- In 2020, he became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fractional Investment Services Limited, a real estate company that offers innovative and affordable housing solutions to Nigerians¹².
- In 2024, he was appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, one of the largest commercial banks in Nigeria, with over 300 branches and millions of customers.
Some of his major achievements, accolades, and recognition in his career are:
- He led the successful acquisition and integration of Equitorial Trust Bank by Sterling Bank in 2011, which increased the bank’s assets, branches, and customer base.
- He initiated and executed several landmark transactions in the corporate and investment banking space, such as the $1.2 billion MTN Nigeria syndicated loan, the $1 billion Dangote Cement bond issuance, and the $300 million Lafarge Africa rights issue.
- He was instrumental in developing and implementing the Sterling Bank’s corporate transformation strategy, which improved the bank’s performance, profitability, and reputation.
- He received several awards and recognition for his leadership and excellence, such as the Banker of the Year Award by the Nigerian Leadership Awards, the Most Outstanding Banker of the Year Award by the Nigerian Bankers’ Merit Awards, and the Most Influential Banker of the Year Award by the Nigerian Banking and Finance Awards.
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Wife, Children & Family
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola is a prosperous banker, loyal family man, and passionate philanthropist. Here’s some information regarding his personal life:
- He is married to Fatima Akintola, a lawyer and a human rights activist. They have been married since 2002, and they have three children: two sons and a daughter.
- He enjoys reading, travelling, and playing golf in his spare time. He is also a fan of football and supports the Nigerian national team and Arsenal FC.
- He is a Muslim and a follower of the Tijaniyya Sufi order. He believes in the values of honesty, integrity, and compassion. He also respects other people’s faiths and cultures.
- He is a generous donor and a patron of several charitable organizations and causes, such as the Lawal Akintola Foundation, which provides scholarships and grants to underprivileged students and entrepreneurs; the Nigerian Red Cross Society, which provides humanitarian aid and relief to victims of disasters and conflicts; and the Rotary Club of Lagos, which promotes community service and peace.
His personal life influences his professional life, and vice versa, in various ways. For example:
- His family supports and motivates him to pursue his career goals and overcome his challenges. They also celebrate his achievements and share his joys. He values his family as his greatest asset and source of happiness.
- His hobbies and interests help him to relax and recharge his energy. They also broaden his perspective and enrich his knowledge. He believes that a balanced life is essential for a healthy and productive mind.
- His faith and values guide him to act ethically and responsibly in his work. They also inspire him to serve others and make a positive difference in the world. He believes that his work is a form of worship and a means of gratitude to God.
- His philanthropy and patronage reflect his social and environmental responsibility as a banker. They also demonstrate his leadership and influence in the society. He believes that his wealth is a trust and a blessing that he should share with others.
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Net Worth
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode’s net worth is predicted to be ₦584.8 million by 2024, or over $600 thousand. He has several avenues of income. He was able to attain this milestone since he had made a lot of money while working for various well-known financial firms.
