Nigeria boasts a population of approximately 200 million with about 70% of the population under 30, and 42% under the age of 15.
Despite this, the correlation between investment in human capital and the country’s economic growth and development has not yielded substantial results.
This is partly due to unemployment, poverty, and insecurity. Of course, this social and economic situation makes migration attractive to young people.
However, a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers highlights Nigeria’s significant Brain Capital advantage, with a large youthful population averaging 19 years old.
This demographic stands in contrast to the ageing populations observed in countries such as Germany, Japan, Italy, and the United States, where it’s projected that the worldwide working-age population will experience a 10% decline by 2060.
Nigeria has already demonstrated prowess across various service sectors, including entertainment and sports, showcasing talent capable of competing and excelling in the global market.
At the forefront of this dynamic industry are core professionals adept at identifying and nurturing talent, building experience and boosting portfolios to compete not only locally but on the international job market.
In the tradition of Nairametrics, we spotlight some influential female human capital professionals within various industries based on their experience and companies in their career portfolios.
Lara Yeku- Head of HR, Food Commercial Division Flour Mills
With over 16 years of experience across various sectors, Lara began her career at Human Capital Development Consultants Limited and later joined DHL Excel Logistics.
She joined Accenture in 2008, rising to the position of Country HR Lead in Nigeria until 2019.
She is a Certified Professional Coach, a member of the International Coaching Federation, and the founder of the HR GEMs Coach Network, a platform for HR professionals to learn, thrive, and build transformational skills.
Lara has won several awards, including the 2020 Talent Management Strategist, recognition among 150 Global Women B2B Thought Leadership in 2020 and 2021, and LinkedIn’s top 10 women thought leaders to follow in 2020.
An accomplished HR Field Specialist from Cornell University, she is a Certified Talent Acquisition Strategist from the Human Capital Institute, an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management(CIPM), and a Graduate Member of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development.
Dr. ‘Jumoke Aleoke-Malachi – Head Talent Management, Wema Bank
Jumoke Aleoke-Malachi is the Head of Talent Management at Wema Bank Plc, Jumoke continues to redefine HR paradigms and drive innovation in people strategies.
In her current role, Jumoke spearheads talent management initiatives, leveraging her skills in project management, HR strategy, and senior stakeholder management to optimize workforce performance and development.
Her profound impact on organizational culture and career development has earned her accolades, including recognition as one of the Top 20 Disruptive People Leaders and being named among the Top 100 Career Women in Africa.
Jumoke’s commitment to nurturing talent extends beyond her corporate responsibilities. As the Lead Coach at WorkplacewithJAM, she dedicates herself to empowering individuals to excel in their careers and lives.
Moreover, Jumoke’s influence extends to the global stage, where she serves as an Accredited Organizational Culture Consulting Partner at The Culture Factor Africa.
Prior to her current roles, Jumoke held key positions at TVC Communications. Her achievements include securing Great Place to Work accreditation for TVC Communications and championing initiatives like International Women’s Day events and employee engagement programs.
Jumoke’s journey in HR leadership also includes roles at Aldelia, IHS Towers, Human Edge Limited, and Associate Consultant.
Lola Esan-Partner People Consulting Leader Ernst & Young West Africa
Lola Esan is a distinguished Organization Design specialist with over 20 years of professional background spanning media, advocacy, strategic human resources management, and management consulting across Mexico, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria. She holds a Master’s degree in International Management from Queen Mary, University of London, and a bachelor’s degree in communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan. She is also certified with MCIPM, PRINCE2, and GPHR.
Lola’s career began at the World Health Organization in Switzerland as a Media Officer. She then moved to Phillips Consulting Limited, where she worked as a Senior Consultant in the Human Capital Management Unit. At Cornerstone Insurance Plc, she served as Head of Human Capital, where she was responsible for the development and execution of HR strategies.
Her tenure at PwC Nigeria as a Senior Manager in the People and Organisation Practice involved leading projects on HR strategy, organization design, and change management.
Currently, she is a Partner and the People Consulting Leader at Ernst & Young (EY) West Africa, where she has been instrumental in driving workforce advisory services and leading significant HR transformation projects.
Katrina Modupe Akindele – Group Head Human Resources, UBA Group
Katrina Modupe Akindele’s 25 years of HR experience across various sectors have positioned her as a leader in human capital management. Katrina Modupe Akindele currently holds the esteemed position of Group Head of Human Resources at UBA.
Prior, she served as the Group Human Resources Director at Heirs Holdings Ltd, beginning her journey with the company in 2017. In her role, she oversees human capital management, demonstrating her proficiency and expertise in the field.
With over 25 years of experience spanning the entire HR spectrum, Modupe is a seasoned professional renowned for her strategic acumen and leadership prowess. She holds an Associate Membership with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Managers (ACIPM), Nigeria, showcasing her commitment to professional development and industry best practices.
Additionally, she is recognized as a Senior Human Resources Executive by the Society for Human Resource Management, USA, further attesting to her global recognition in the field.
Modupe’s credentials extend beyond traditional HR certifications, as she is MBTI certified with the Myer-Briggs Institute and holds Kolbe Accreditation with Kolbe Corporation, Arizona, USA.
Oyinade Kuku – Head, Human Resources First Bank Holdings
Oyinade Kuku is the Head of Human Resources at FBN Holdings Plc, where she oversees the company’s Human Resource Strategy and People Agenda.
With over 16 years of experience in Strategic Human Resource Management across the Financial Services, Consulting, and Oil & Gas sectors, Oyinade is an expert in HR Strategy & Analytics, Organizational Design & Transformation, and Talent Management.
Before her current role at FBN Holdings, she worked with FirstBank Nigeria Ltd, the company’s largest subsidiary, as a Senior Business Partner and Lead for the Group HR Support Function. In this capacity, she managed HR matters for the Group’s non-banking subsidiaries, Sub-Saharan African businesses, and FBN (Bank) U.K.
She held prominent HR roles at UBA Plc, Workforce Group Consulting, and Mobil Producing Nigeria (ExxonMobil). Kuku holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Robert Gordon University in Scotland. She is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Nigeria (CIPMN), and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, UK (CIPD).
Taiwo ‘Dayo-Abatan – Regional Head HR, VFS Global
Taiwo Dayo is a seasoned HR professional with over 20 years of experience leading multi-generational workforces across sectors such as insurance, healthcare, consulting, and financial services. She holds a global SPHRi™ certification, is a certified career coach, and is a passionate mentor and facilitator.
Taiwo has a proven record in delivering people and culture transformation, talent optimization, diversity and inclusion management, HR analytics, and cross-border HR operations.
Currently, she serves as the Regional Head of HR for Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global and is the founder of the Premium Mentoring Program with TDA.
Previously, Taiwo was the Group Head of Human Capital and Corporate Services at Primera Africa Finance Group and Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc. She also worked at Total Health Trust Limited, implementing business transformation processes and winning multiple CIPM HR Best Practice Awards.
Earlier in her career, Taiwo held positions at BELLFORTE CONSULTING, Gerizim Group Limited, and UBA Group, managing HR, administration, leasing, investment, and treasury functions.
Folake Adeniyi-Adeleye – Principal HR Business Partner Oracle EMEA
Folake Adeniyi-Adeleye is a globally recognized HR leader with over 20 years of experience. She began her HR leadership journey at Phillips Consulting Limited and progressed through various esteemed organizations.
At Oando Plc, she provided strategic HR advisory to the Executive Management Team, designed and implemented culture change initiatives, and spearheaded the rollout of a new Group-wide Performance Management System.
Her tenure at Zain Group saw her as a Senior HR Business Partner for Sales. At Microsoft, she served as Regional HR Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Currently, as Regional HR Director at Oracle, she leads regional HR teams, driving results through strategic partnerships with regional HR operations and key stakeholders, solidifying her reputation as a transformative HR leader.
Ifeoma Okoruen-Head Human Resources at Mouka Limited
IFeoma Okoruen is a distinguished professional with over 20 years of experience in the human resources (HR) industry. Currently, she serves as the Head of HR and Administration at Mouka Limited, a member of the Dolidol Group. Her HR expertise has been honed and tested in roles across Europe, East, and West Africa.
From May 2014 to December 2017, she was the Group Head of HR at Sahara Group, focusing on oil, gas, and energy.
Prior to that, she led Human & Corporate Resources at UBA Metropolitan Life Insurance Limited from November 2008 to March 2014. She also served as Regional HR Business Partner at Airtel Nigeria from July 2003 to October 2008.
Okoruen has managed people budgets in the millions of US dollars and led HR teams to deliver solutions aligned with business goals.
Her leadership has earned companies under her guidance numerous awards, including the NECA Excellence Awards and CIPM Best HR Practices in Nigeria. She holds an M.Sc. in Human Resources Management from ESUT Business School with Distinction and is a certified Human Resources Business Professional (HRBP), a certification she earned in January 2013.
Funke Amobi- Deputy Head of Operations StanbicIBTC Bank
Funke Amobi, a globally renowned Human Resources professional, has been appointed Honorary Professor of Practice in the Work, Organization & Technology discipline at Lancaster University Management School in the UK.
With over 25 years of extensive experience spanning the Oil & Gas, Banking, and Telecommunications sectors, Amobi has garnered recognition as one of the most influential HR figures globally, earning accolades such as the All-Africa Employee Engagement Professional of the Year and Nigeria’s #50 Top Corporate Women.
Amobi’s academic achievements include a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and an MBA from Lancaster University, where she graduated with distinction and received the prestigious Dean’s Prize.
Currently serving as Deputy Head of Operations at StanbicIBTC Bank, she sits on the Advisory Boards of Lancaster University Management School UK (LUMS) and Pan Atlantic University (LBS) Nigeria.
Additionally, she serves as a non-executive director of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd and lends her expertise to several not-for-profit organizations, including WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers).
Esther Akinnukawe – Chief Human Resources MTN Nigeria
Esther Akinnukawe is the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, a leading telecommunications company in Nigeria. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Esther has worked across major sectors including Consulting Services, Education, Banking, and Telecommunications.
As CHRO, she has earned MTN Nigeria multiple accolades, including the Employer of the Year Award and the NECA Employers’ Excellence Award. Esther’s contributions to gender equality in the workplace have also been recognized, earning her the Outstanding Gender Leader Award.
Notably, Esther was named one of 31 female change-makers in Africa by Rising Women Africa/Global Group Media and was honoured as HR Person of the Year 2023 by the HR People Magazine Awards. In addition to her role at MTN, she serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the board of Edfin Microfinance Bank.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University, an Executive MBA from IESE Business School, and an Advanced Management Programme from Harvard Business School. Esther is a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (MCIPM) and a professional member of the Institute of Directors (IOD) and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Note: The individuals featured in this compilation have been carefully selected by a distinguished panel of editors, experts, and analysts at Nairametrics.
It is important to note that none of the individuals listed have solicited their inclusion. While this list aims to be comprehensive, it is by no means exhaustive; numerous other contributors have played significant roles in advancing the Human capital and talent management sector in Nigeria.
This compilation is exclusive to Nairametrics and may be updated periodically to reflect changes and advancements in the field. Feedback will be appreciated.