Close
WOMAN OF IMPACT
Ibukun Awosika: Leading with Faith, Integrity, and Purpose
By Aisha Aliyu Obalim
In a world where ambition often overshadows values, Ibukun Awosika stands tall as a shining example of integrity, resilience, and purpose driven leadership. Her story is not merely one of business success it is a testimony of how faith, courage, and conviction can shape destiny.
Born on December 24, 1962, in Ibadan, Ibukunoluwa Abiodun Awosika’s journey began far from the boardrooms she would one day command. The young chemistry graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University could have easily pursued a career in science. Instead, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to a modest furniture-making business—a daring choice for a woman in the early days of Nigeria’s industrial growth. From that small beginning, she built The Chair Centre Group, now one of the leading furniture and interior manufacturing companies in West Africa.
But Ibukun’s influence extends well beyond entrepreneurship. In 2015, she made history as the first female Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, breaking barriers in a sector long dominated by men. Her appointment was not just a personal achievement it was a moment of victory for Nigerian women, proving that competence, character, and courage can open any door.
What sets Ibukun apart is not only her professional brilliance but her unwavering commitment to ethical leadership. Through her books The Girl Entrepreneurs and Business His Way she has championed the idea that business must be rooted in integrity and service. Her message is clear: success without values is failure in disguise.
Beyond her business empire, Ibukun is a mentor, speaker, and faith leader, guiding young Africans to dream boldly and act with purpose. She often says, If you’re not living for something greater than yourself, you’re wasting your life. It’s this philosophy that fuels her every endeavor from boardrooms to youth conferences to her role in faith-based leadership.
A strong advocate for women’s empowerment, Ibukun delivers one of her most striking messages to young women everywhere:
A woman must define her life before she gets married.
To her, marriage should not erase a woman’s individuality it should enhance it. She believes that when women enter marriage without a clear sense of purpose or identity, they risk being confined by others’ expectations. “You must know your purpose before you say ‘I do, she teaches. That’s the only way to build a life of balance and fulfillment.
This conviction shapes her mentorship philosophy: women must first know who they are, what they value, and where they’re going. For Ibukun, a woman who understands her own vision becomes a stronger wife, mother, and leader one who contributes meaningfully to her home and society alike.
Her global influence continues to grow. A respected voice at the World Economic Forum and a member of several prestigious boards including Cadbury Nigeria Plc and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, she brings excellence and integrity wherever she serves. Even her appearance in the inspirational film God’s Calling reflects her seamless blend of spirituality and impact.
Ibukun Awosika’s legacy is not just in the companies she has built, but in the lives she continues to shape. She reminds women everywhere that leadership is not a title it is a responsibility. It is about courage to begin, strength to endure, and grace to uplift others along the way.
At Total Woman Magazine, we celebrate Ibukun Awosika not only as a pioneer but as a woman who embodies the power of faith, vision, and integrity a true woman of impact
