Okunato Joseph Kolawole
Board Chairman
Joseph Kolawole Okunato is a seasoned finance and banking professional with extensive experience spanning over three decades. His expertise covers organizational dynamics, business development, and strategic financial management. Having worked in key leadership roles across major Nigerian banks, including Union Bank, Intercontinental Bank, and others, he played a crucial role in shaping banking operations, credit management, and treasury functions. Beyond banking, he made a significant impact in the media industry as the pioneer Chief Finance Officer of Daar Communications Plc., where he established the company’s financial systems. He also contributed to Nigeria’s capital market sector, leading corporate finance operations at Kinley Securities Ltd.
Qualifications
- Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, (ACIB). London, 1981
- Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, (ACIS). 1982;
- Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, (ACA). 1990;
- Master of Science, (M.Sc.) Banking and Finance (University of Ibadan), 1989 with the following Prizes:
- Best Student in Economic Theory and Policy, and Best Class Student
- Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, (FCIB). 2008;
- Member, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, (MCIArb) London UK. 2013
Experience
Banking: I worked in all areas of Banking Business for a period spanning about 30 years, in Retail, Commercial, and Operations business units in Commercial and Merchant Banking. Some of the Strategic Departments I was Head include International Operations, Credit Compliance, Credit Appraisal, Commercial Treasury, Consumer Banking, Debt Recovery, Commercial & Retail Banking, Inspectorate as Chief Inspector, Regional Business Executive in charge of Federal Capital Territory and North Central, and Regional Director for Federal Capital Territory. I was the Group Head of Banking Operations overseeing E-Banking Operations, Branch Banking; Domestic and International Banking operations of Intercontinental Bank Plc. Other Banks I worked with were Union Bank of Nigeria Plc., Devcom Merchant Bank Ltd, Equitorial Trust Bank Ltd, and Gateway Bank Plc.
Media: I was the Pioneer Chief Finance Officer/Assistant General Manager of Daar Communications Plc., operators of Ray Power Radio and AIT. I had the privilege of setting up the Accounting System, Credit Control function; installed the Accounting Software (DacEasy), and managed the Loan Consortium Syndicate, among other Financial Functions, reporting to the Board of Directors
Capital Market Operations: I worked with Kinley Securities Limited (A Member of the Nigeria Stock Exchange) as the Head of the Corporate Finance Department. I had the privilege of setting up the Corporate Finance Department, developed the clientele base, and supervised the marketing and sales force of the company.
Publications:
- The Market Structure of Merchant Banks in Nigeria’ The University Banker, 1990;
- Conquering Fear, 2000;
- ‘Term of Trade’ in International Banking’, Business Examinations Guide, 2002;
- Sin of Unbelief, 2014;
- International Finance, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, 2014 and
- International Trade and Finance, Balboa Press, 2020.