Harriet-Ann Omobolanle Adesola, popularly known as Bola Adesola, is a Nigerian finance expert and the Senior Vice-Chairman at Standard Chartered Bank Group.
She was recently appointed as a director on the board of Nigeria’s Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) PLC, a leading Central Securities Depository (CSD).
She previously held the position of CEO for Standard Chartered Bank in Nigeria and West Africa, making significant strides in leadership and finance.
With over three decades of experience in the banking industry, Adesola has earned a reputation for her extensive expertise and influential role in shaping banking practices across the African continent.
Profile details
Name: Harriet-Ann Omobolanle Adesola
Born: November 14, 1964
Place of birth: Lagos, Nigeria
Education: University of Buckingham
Marital status: Married
Career: Lawyer, Entrepreneur
Background
Born on November 14, 1964, in Lagos, Nigeria, Bola Adesola grew up in a family that emphasized education.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos and completed her legal training at the Nigerian Law School, being called to the Bar in 1986.
She later furthered her education with a degree from the University of Buckingham and attended Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School. She is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in both the UK and Nigeria.
Career trajectory
Bola Adesola began her career in finance at Prime Merchant Bank as a Treasury Officer and later joined Citibank in 1990, where she served in several senior management roles, including as Country Treasurer for Citibank Tanzania.
In 1999, she became Managing Director and CEO of Kakawa Discount House Limited, a leading asset management firm.
Her career progressed when she joined First Bank of Nigeria Plc in 2005, serving as Executive Director for Corporate Banking and later overseeing the Lagos Directorate.
Leadership at Standard Chartered
Adesola made history in 2011 as the first Nigerian and female CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria.
Her influence extended to West Africa, and she also chaired Standard Chartered Bank Mauritius. After a decade of service, she retired from Standard Chartered in 2021.
Recent appointments
Bola Adesola continues to hold influential roles, including Chairman of Ecobank Nigeria Limited and Chair of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).
She also sits on the board of Imperial Logistics Plc and is a trustee of the FinTech Association of Nigeria.
Her appointment to the CSCS board in September, 2024 further underscores her impact on Nigeria’s financial landscape.
Advocacy and affiliations
A staunch advocate for women’s empowerment, Adesola co-founded Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and is involved in numerous initiatives that support young female professionals.
She is affiliated with organizations such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Institute of Directors (IoD).
Personal life
Bola Adesola is passionate about philanthropy, particularly in education and women’s empowerment.
She is married with twin daughters, enjoys reading, traveling, and has a deep passion for art.
On a global scale, Adesola has served on the United Nations Global Compact Board and became its Co Vice-Chair in 2018.
Net worth
While her net worth remains undisclosed, Bola Adesola’s influence and achievements continue to shape the African financial sector and inspire the next generation of leaders.
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