Adebayo O. Ogunlesi is a Nigerian lawyer and investment banker. He is currently the Chairman and Managing Partner of the private equity firm – Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). GIP acquired the London City Airport in 2006 which they sold in 2016. They also acquired Gatwick Airport, Uk’s second largest airport in 2009 under the leadership of Adebayo Ogunlesi.
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Adebayo Ogunlesi Background
Adebayo was born on the 20th of December 1953 in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria to Mr and Mrs Theophilus O. Ogunlesi. His father was the first Nigerian professor of medicine at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
He had his secondary education at King’s College, Lagos, Nigeria. After his secondary education, he went to Oxford University, England, for his B.A. and graduated with first-class honours in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Afterwards, Adebayo went to Harvard Law School, and Harvard Business School simultaneously. Consequently, he graduated with a J.D. magna cum laude and his MBA in 1979.
During this time, he was a member of the Harvard Law Review. Adebayo is married to Dr Amelia Quist-Ogunlesi, and they are blessed with two children.
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Adebayo Ogunlesi Career
After his MBA, Adebayo worked as a law clerk to Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall of the United States Supreme Court from 1980 to 1981. Following his resignation, he went on to work as an attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore – a law firm in New York City. The same firm he worked as a summer associate during his MBA.
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First Boston Investment Bank
Adebayo joined First Boston Investment Bank as an advisor for a Nigerian gas project in 1983. While at First Boston, he worked in the Project Finance Group, where he gave sound financial advice to clients on transactions.
He has worked on the transactions of North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
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Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB)
Adebayo was made the Head of the Global Energy Group renamed, Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB). He held this position from 1997 to 2002. Following this was his appointment as the Global Head of CSFB’s Investment Banking Division.
In the same 2002, he became a member of the Credit Suisse Executive Board and Management Committee. Ultimately, from 2004 to 2006, Adebayo was the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Client Officer of CSFB.
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Adebayo Ogunlesi Other Interest
While working at Credit Suisse First Boston, he was also lecturing at Harvard Law School and Yale School of Management. He taught a course on transnational investment projects in emerging countries.
He was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of Goldman Sachs in October 2012, and on the 24th of July, 2014, was named Lead Director of the company.
In December 2016, Ogunlesi was named among other business leaders that would be part of Donald Trump’s Strategic and Policy Forum. The forum was, however, disbanded on the 16th of August, 2017.
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Global Infrastructure Partners
Adebayo Ogunlesi started a private equity firm, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in July 2006. Credit Suisse and General Electric were the first investors in GIP. Currently, Adebayo is the Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners.
GIP is an independent infrastructure fund manager that combines deep industry expertise with industrial best practice and operational management.
The company is an infrastructure investment fund that makes both equity and selected debt investments. It has investments in high-quality infrastructure assets in the energy, transport, water and waste sectors.
The company manages over $51 billion for its investors with portfolio of combined annual revenue greater than $46 billion. The company currently employs 52,000 people.
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GIP Investments In The Energy Sector
- Guacolda Energia
- Freeport LNG
- CPV
- Saeta Yield/Bow Power
- Gode Wind 1
- Hess Infrastructure Partners
- Naturgy Energy Group
- Borkum Riffgrund 2
- Vena Energy
- Medallion
- Clearway Energy
- EnLink Midstream
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GIP Investments In The Transport Sector
- Gatwick Airport
- Edinburgh Airport
- Terminal Investment Limited
- Port of Melbourne
- Pacific National
- Italo
GIP’s Realized Investments
- Access Midstream Partners
- Biffa Group Limited
- Channelview Cogeneration
- Port of Brisbane
- Ruby Pipeline Holding Company
- Terra-Gen Power Holdings
- CLH
- Great Yarmouth Port Company
- London City Airport
- Transitgas
- East India Petroleum Limited
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Memberships
- Adebayo is a member of the Board of Dean’s Advisors of Harvard Business School
- He is a member of the Leadership Council of New York of Harvard Law School
- Member of the Global Advisory Council of Harvard Business School
- Ogunlesi is a member of the National Board of Directors of NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
- Member of the Board of Trustees of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital
- Adebayo is a member of the Board of Directors of the Partnership for New York City Fund
- Member of the District of Columbia Bar Association
- He is a member of King’s College Old Boys Association
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Quotes Of Adebayo Ogunlesi
“Professional success is about ability, hard work, and relationships. Who you know, and how you connect to them is an incredible determinant of how you would succeed.”
“Poor infrastructure not only inhibits economic growth but quite frankly, it stands in the way and affects the quality of the lives of the people in the continent.”
“Africa needs to recognize that it is in competition for investment capital.”
“Each generation of Africans faces a unique set of challenges that defines it.”
“…Use your entrepreneurial drive, uncompromising integrity, and a passion for excellence in everything you do, and apply all of those skills, talents and capabilities to address the challenges the continent faces.”
“If African governments are serious about encouraging investments in their infrastructure, they have to behave as if they are, and so far, there is little evidence that there is commitment and seriousness…”
“Ordinary people can effect change if they want it badly enough.”
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Awards And Recognitions Of Adebayo Ogunlesi
- Award of Excellence by The International Center in New York
Net Worth Of Adebayo Ogunlesi
Looking at the portfolio of the investments of GIP of which Adebayo Ogunlesi is a shareholder in, you will agree that he is worth a fortune.
Although his net worth has not been stated officially, wallmine.com has estimated his net worth to be $14.1 million.
Business Lesson From Adebayo Ogunlesi
Always strive to be a problem solver. When you see a problem in your environment, look for ways to create a solution for that problem. Only by creating solutions to problems can wealth be created.
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