Notable leaders in corporate Nigeria

Rabiu Olowo Setting Pace In Corporate Reporting, Public Finance
Dr. Rabiu Olowo is a corporate reporting and public finance leader. As the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), he leads a team that sees to the development and implementation of corporate governance directives across private and public institutions.

Before entering the mainstream public sector, Olowo has worked at a top-level executive positions for foremost local and multinational organisations, including, Zenith Bank Plc; British Pharmaceutical Giant’ GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Nigeria, Dutch Global Diary Leader’ Friesland Campina Nigeria; Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (Texas, USA); Club of Global Development
Finance Organisations among others that cut across Africa, Europe, Middle East and USA.

A Professor of practice in forensic accounting, finance and public policy, the brainiac is among the most sought-after speakers on corporate governance, accountability, finance, business and fraud issues. Generous at disseminating information and new knowledge on his field, Olowo is a regular speaker at different business schools and local/global conferences.

The alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School of Government, USA, and the Blavatnik School of Government at the Oxford University, UK, Olowo was Lagos State Commissioner for Finance from 2019 to 2023.

As a commissioner, he successfully shepherded the fiscal policy and strategy of Lagos, a state known as the 5th largest economy in Africa. With his intellectual acuity, he was able to position the state on the right pedestal in revenue generation and management, expenditure and investment management, debt management, financial reporting and governance.

His shrewd management of the state’s resource prompted FITCH, an international ratings agency, to confer AAA (nga) “Triple A” in the National Long Term (NLT) on Lagos State in 2023. The grading did not only show the state’s commitment to improved and excellent financial reporting, accountability and transparency, but also depicted the inventiveness of those behind the policy and strategy.

With over 15 years post qualification experience across private, public and development sectors, Olowo as a chartered accountant, chartered management accountant, certified internal controls auditor, certified international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS), chartered tax practitioner, certified fraud examiner, among others, is setting the pace, keeping to international standard practice in corporate reporting and public finance.

Aimed with an MBA from University of Lagos and a MSC in accounting and finance from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK, the egghead has significant experience that transcends not only corporate financial reporting, public sector accounting and financial management to also playing key roles in multiple industries from banking and other financial services, public sector organisations, manufacturing, not-for-profit, startups, among others.

A lifelong learner, Olowo holds a Ph.D. in Forensic Accounting and Auditing. He is currently a Research Fellow at the Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.

His numerous research works include, “The Future of Finance; Corporate Governance and Whistleblowing Culture in Africa; Sustainable Finance Options in Agric Value Chain, among others, have been recognised as major contribution in the field of business, accounting, auditing and public policy.

In 2023, he won the ‘Forty Under 40’ Africa award as the continent’s most accomplished and influential professionals under the age of 40 years. He was named the Public Finance Administrator of the Year (2022) in Nigeria.

On Saturday, May 4, 2024, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) honoured him with the prestigious “Top Chartered Accountant Under 40” award. This further solidified his position as a distinguished professional in the field of accounting.

Dr. Rabiu Olowo is a youth advocate, mentoring and inspiring millions of youths across the globe.

PROFILE OF CHIEF (MRS.) TEJU PHILLIPS
Chief (Mrs) Maria Olateju Phillips is a descendant of the Olumegbon Family of Isale-Eko, in the Lagos Island of Lagos State. She is the first child of diplomat and ambassador plenipotentiary, Ambassador Chief Antonio ‘Deinde Fernandez who was a very successful and globally renowned business tycoon and philanthropist. Her mother is Princess Ibilola Lipede of the Royal Ruling House in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Chief (Mrs) Teju Phillips is a successful Chartered Accountant who holds an ACCA from England and Wales. Her Articleship as an Accountant was in the globally renowned firm of Peat Marwick & Castleton Elliot (Firm of Accountants – Ani, Ogunde & Co. KPMG). She has professional training in Executive Development Programmes in Havard (USA), Columbia & Wharton Business Schools and has attended various management training courses both locally and internationally. She speaks Yoruba, English and French fluently. As an accomplished Chartered Accountant with a wealth of experience in management and finance. She has held various high-profile positions in both the public and private sectors, demonstrating her leadership skills and expertise. Additionally, her involvement in sports development and philanthropy reflects her commitment to the betterment of society. Overall, she is a respected figure known for her professional achievements and contributions to her community

She is a renowned Management / Financial Consultant to many companies and was at a time, the Divisional Commercial Manager of Kingsway Stores, a division of the United African Company (UAC) of Nig. Plc and Managing Director of Alma Beach Estate Ltd (a subsidiary of Rims Merchant Bank Ltd); Managing Director, Maridot Ventures Ltd. She is also a former Director in Keystone Bank; former Director, Lagos State Lottery Board; Honorable Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Lagos State. Honorable Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations in Lagos State; Board Member, State Primary Education Board, Ogun State

Her other appointments include but are not limited to the following: Chairman, Organizing Committee of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria; Council Member, Bank Directors Association of

Nigeria; Board Member, Women in Boardroom; Member, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Presidential Committee; Member, ICAN Annual Conference Committee;

She has also made several contributions towards the development of sporting activities in Nigeria and has served as Chairman and member of various committees for FIFA 1999, Junior World Cup

Championship held in Lagos, IMO ’98 Federal Annual Sports Festival, held in Imo State, and 1st African Women Championships, Ogun State on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

A devoted Christian and a member of Busy Bees Women Society of the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina Lagos. She is also an astute politician and avid philanthropist. As a passionate Lagosian,
she promotes the welfare of the destitute in Lagos Island and is popularly called “Mama” by them. She is Matron of many social clubs and societies. She is happily married and in truth and fact is a fully accomplished professional, proud parent and grandparent.