Adenike Fajemirokun stands out in the corporate world as a leading expertise in risk management and her leadership position as the first female Group Executive Director and Group Chief Risk Officer (GCRO) for Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading manufacturing group, Dangote Industries Limited. With over 18 years of diverse experience spanning various industries, Fajemirokun has made significant contributions to organizational success through her innovative risk management strategies and visionary leadership.
Adenike Fajemirokun’s journey began with a solid foundation in engineering, as she started her career as a Civil and Fire Engineer at Ove Arup and Partners headquartered in London. Her early experiences laid the foundation for her transition into the financial sector, where she held management roles at Deutsche Bank AG in the UK and served as a front office quantitative analyst at Goldman Sachs in London and New York.
In 2010, Adenike Fajemirokun founded AFRisk Management Consultants Limited, a pioneering firm that developed enterprise risk management frameworks for major Nigerian institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, First Bank Nigeria, and AIICO Insurance Plc. Her innovative approach and dedication to enhancing risk management practices earned her recognition as a leading authority in the field.
In 2013, Adenike Fajemirokun’s exceptional abilities and expertise led her to assume the role of Chief Risk Officer at Dangote Group, one of Africa’s largest conglomerates. In this capacity, she oversees the company’s governance model and enterprise risk programs, playing a significant role in driving strategic decision-making and ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability.
Dr. Adenike Fajemirokun’s academic achievements are equally impressive, holding a B.Eng. in Civil, Structural, and Fire Engineering and a Ph.D. in Risk-Informed Engineering from the University of Manchester, UK. She is a Fellow of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and a Specialist member (SIRM) of the Global Institute of Risk Management, reflecting her stature as a thorough bred leader in the field.
As a visiting professor at the University of Manchester, Dr. Adenike Fajemirokun shares her expertise with the next generation of risk management professionals, inspiring future leaders to excel in their careers. Her contributions to organizations such as the Operational Riskdata Exchange Association (ORX) and the Institute of Risk Management, UK have gained global recognition, further solidifying her reputation as a pioneer in risk management.
Notably, Dr. Adenike Fajemirokun’s appointment as the first female Executive Director of the esteemed Dangote Group reflects her innovative approach and serves as an inspiration to aspiring women leaders in Nigeria and worldwide. Her trajectory exemplifies resilience, determination, and a dogged pursuit of high standards, inspiring others to break barriers and strive for success in their own endeavors.
Her belief in the pivotal role of women in the risk management world is clearly expressed in her own words: ‘Globally, you’d find that most Risk Officers are women.’ From her perspective, women are ‘better thinkers when it comes to objectively assessing risks. We tend to be more thorough and less impulsive in making business decisions.’
In conclusion, Dr. Adenike Fajemirokun’s expertise and leadership have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the business world. Her innovative venture in the corporate world serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders, especially women, encouraging them to pursue their passions, overcome obstacles, and make their mark on the world.