Our Directors
Biodun Arokodare
Chairman
Biodun Arokodare
Dr Biodun Arokodare is a Director at First Ally Capital with a distinguished career spanning banking, accounting, and financial management. A graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he holds an MBA in Management and Finance from the University of Lagos and a PhD in Strategic Management from Babcock University.
Dr Arokodare’s career highlights include serving as Group Executive Director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), where he coordinated finance, treasury, and accounting functions. His expertise has been critical in developing strategies that drive organisational growth and financial sustainability.
He has attended many management development courses in INSEAD, Singapore, The Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, where he is an Aresty Scholar, and Harvard Business School, Boston, USA.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Dr Arokodare is renowned for his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and deliver impactful results.
Olumayowa Ogunwemimo
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Olumayowa Ogunwemimo
Mrs Olumayowa Ogunwemimo serves as Deputy Group Managing Director of First Ally Capital and Managing Director of First Ally Asset Management Limited (FAAM). She joined FAAM in 2020, bringing over two decades of expertise in asset management, financial planning, and investment advisory. Her visionary leadership has driven significant growth, positioning FAAM as a leading player in Nigeria’s asset management space.
Her career began at First Securities Discount House (now FSDH Merchant Bank), where she excelled in risk management and investments before serving as Managing Director of FSDH Asset Management for nine years. Her ability to develop innovative investment strategies and foster strong client relationships has been a hallmark of her career.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Mrs Ogunwemimo holds a degree in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University and is an alumna of Lagos Business School’s Senior Management Programme. She has attended numerous leadership and investment management courses, underscoring her dedication to professional excellence.
Ebenezer Olufowose
Non-Executive Director
Ebenezer Olufowose
Ebenezer Olufowose is Co-Founder and Group Managing Director/CEO of First Ally Capital Limited. Prior to setting up First Ally Capital, he was Executive Director at Access Bank Plc, and before then, Director with Citigroup where he led Citigroup’s origination, structuring and execution of corporate finance and investment banking transactions in Nigeria. He was appointed to the Board of First Bank of Nigeria Limited in April 2021 and became Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank in May 2024.
He started his banking career in 1985 at NAL Merchant Bank Plc (NAL) where he worked in the Corporate Planning and Corporate Finance Departments. He also held other strategic positions in First City Merchant Bank (FCMB) and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank).
A first-class honours degree holder in Economics from the University of Lagos, Mr Olufowose holds a Master’s degree in International Economics from the University of Sussex, Brighton England, where he studied as a Sir Adam Thomson/British Caledonian Airways Scholar. He has attended several management and leadership training programs at leading executive development institutions, including the Institute of Management Development (IMD), Lausanne Switzerland, Harvard Business School, Boston USA, INSEAD Singapore, Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, Illinois USA and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania USA. He is an Alumnus of the Harvard Business School and the Lagos Business School and an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration and Fellow of the Association of Investment Advisers & Portfolio Managers.
Edwina Ugwu
Executive Director, Client Coverage & Sales
Edwina Ugwu
Ms Edwina Ugwu is the Executive Director, Client Coverage & Sales at First Ally Asset Management (FAAM), where she oversees client engagement and wealth management strategies. With over 15 years of experience, she has a proven track record of delivering innovative financial solutions and fostering strong client relationships.
Prior to her current role, Ms Ugwu served as Senior Vice President, managing FAAM’s Abuja office and providing strategic leadership for wealth advisory services. Her career also includes significant contributions at Xcellon Capital Advisors and Marina Securities Limited, where she specialised in stockbroking, investment management, and client services.
Ms Ugwu holds an Executive MBA from Lancaster University and a law degree from Enugu State University. She is an alumnus of the Institute of Management Development (IMD), Switzerland She is a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria and a passionate advocate for data-driven decision-making and governance excellence.
Segun Omidele
Non-Executive Director
Segun Omidele
Mr Segun Omidele is a Director at First Ally Asset Management with over 38 years of experience in the oil and gas sector. He has held key positions at Shell Nigeria, the UK, and the US, contributing to various technical and management roles that have advanced the industry.
He later served as CEO and Senior Vice President for Erin Energy Corporation and Allied Energy Corporation, respectively, where he managed strategic business development and operational excellence. His leadership in these roles underscores his expertise in engineering, financial management, and resource optimisation.
Mr Omidele holds a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Ibadan and a Master’s degree from the University of Houston. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Amina Ibrahim
Independent Non-Executive Director
Amina Ibrahim
Ms. Amina Ibrahim is a Director at First Ally Asset Management, First Ally Trust Microfinance Bank and a Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, where she leads the Abuja office and oversees the firm’s practice in Northern Nigeria. With over fifteen years of experience in practice, Ms. Ibrahim specialises in corporate advisory, regulatory compliance, and government relations, providing strategic counsel to a diverse portfolio of multinationals, public institutions, and government agencies. Known for her expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes, Ms. Ibrahim has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor in high-stakes negotiations and intricate compliance investigations.
Her leadership has provided valuable insights that have shaped policies across key sectors reinforcing her role as an industry leader and she is committed to driving sustainable change within the industries she serves. Ms. Ibrahim’s approach combines legal acumen with strategic insight, ensuring clients receive impactful solutions in compliance investigations and dispute resolution. Her legal expertise is complemented by a forward-thinking approach, combining strategic insight with practical solutions to achieve her client’s objective. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, she is committed to empowering the next generation of legal professionals, particularly women, by mentoring young lawyers and actively promoting equal opportunities within the legal profession.
A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University with an LL.B, Ms. Ibrahim is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, she continuously contributes to the broader discourse on regulatory compliance and government policy development in Nigeria. Ms. Ibrahim relentless pursuit of excellence and strategic insights strengthens First Ally’s governance and operational standards.