3 Most Successful Investment Bankers in Nigeria

The investment industry in Nigeria has bankers who have made remarkable strides and cemented their positions as successful leaders.

These professionals have through their expertise, strategic thinking, and contributions to the industry shaped the investment banking landscape. They have also inspired a new generation of professionals in Nigeria.

This article spotlights three of the most successful investment bankers in the African country and their contributions to the development of the investment industry.

Atedo Peterside

Atedo Peterside is a renowned investment banker and entrepreneur who has made a significant impact on Nigeria’s financial landscape. Atedo founded Stanbic IBTC (Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited) Bank, one of the leading investment banks in the country.

Peterside who was determined to be a bank entrepreneur spent 10 years at NAL Merchant Bank because of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, requirement. The CBN required that one needed at least 10 years of banking experience to qualify as the Chief Executive Officer of a bank. 

Knowing it would be difficult for him to get investors to start a bank, Peterside decided to start off the process by investing in the bank. Peterside served as CEO for 18 years. He took the bank through the early tough years and ensured that the bank continued to record the needed growth.

After his retirement as CEO, Peterside remained on the boards of both The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited and Standard Bank Group Limited. He has also contributed to the development of the Nigerian capital market through his involvement in various initiatives and reforms.

Uche Orji

Uche Orji boasts a wealth of global experience spanning nearly three decades in investment banking and financial services. As an investment banker, Uche Orji served as the former Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

As CEO, Orji did not just build, he properly managed the country’s Sovereign Wealth Fund. Under his leadership, NSIA delivered nine straight years of profit, growing the Fund from the initial $1 billion to about $2.56bn, despite recurring tough, volatile markets.

Also, the firm’s Total Comprehensive Income grew from N53m in 2013- just a year after its set up, to N146 billion in 2021. Before joining the NSIA, Orji served as the Managing Director at the Equities Division of UBS Securities, New York.

Adebayo Ogunlesi

Adebayo Ogunlesi is an investment banker who serves as the chairman and managing partner at the private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). Before his current position, he was the former head of global investment banking at Credit Suisse First Boston.

Ogunlesi joined the investment bank First Boston as an advisor on a Nigerian gas project in 1983. He was charged with the responsibility of advising clients on transactions and financings. The investment banker has also worked on transactions in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Under his leadership, GIP acquired London City Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Edinburgh Airport and Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori.