Oluwatomi Somefun is an award-winning Nigerian banker. She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/ Managing Director (MD) of Unity Bank, making her the first woman in the bank’s history to hold this position.
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Oluwatomi Somefun’s Background
Mrs. Oluwatomi Somefun was born on the 2nd of October.
In 1981, Mrs. Somefun obtained a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in English from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife). After she received her certificate in English Education, she went on to register at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Eventually, she became a Chartered Accountant in 1982. Mrs. Somefun is currently an ICAN fellow. She is married and blessed with children.
Oluwatomi Somefun’s Educational Background
Mrs. Somefun constantly attends both local and foreign training. Some of these training includes the industry-specific EuroMoney training, and INSEAD Fontainebleau, France. She is also an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School and the University of Columbia Business School, New York.
Mrs. Somefun is a member of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Directors (IOD), Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN), and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
Oluwatomi Somefun Career
Mrs Somefun started her career in the financial service industry with Peat Marwick and Co. After, she moved to Arthur Andersen – now KPMG. Oluwatomi has also worked with other reputable companies like Ventures and Trusts Ltd, Credit Bank Ltd.
Her job role was dynamic giving her a wealth of experience. She worked in different departments at various times in her career. She has experience in treasury and institutional banking, investment banking, retail, and commercial banking.
Mrs. Somefun also had a successful career at the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA). While at UBA, she managed and sat on the boards of several subsidiaries, including UBA Trustee, UBA Plc, UBA Capital, and Trustee Ltd.
The phenomenal banker was the pioneering Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UBA Pension Custodian Ltd. She managed UBA Pension Custodian Ltd for eight years and also supervised the South-West region of the bank at the same time.
Boards where she has served and currently serving
- Mrs. Somefun was once a Non-Executive Director on the Board of UBA Foundations.
- She was also a Non-Executive Director on the Board of UBA Trustees.
- Oluwatomi Somefun was a Non-Executive Director on the Board of UBA Nominees Ltd and UBA Registrars Ltd.
- Mrs. Somefun is a Member of the Board of Finance and General Purpose Committee.
- She is on the Board of the Risk Management Committee.
- The phenomenal banker is also on the Board of Credit Committee.
Oluwatomi Somefun As The CEO/Managing Director (MD) Of Unity Bank
On the 4th of March, 2015, Oluwatomi Somefun was appointed the Executive Director of Unity Bank. Her remarkable performance as Executive Director earned her the enviable position as the MD/CEO of Unity Bank in August 2015.
Thus far, Mrs Somefun has changed the impression that people have about Unity bank serving only the early. She has been able to put strategies in place that attract young customers to the bank. She is helping drive Unity bank’s vision of being the bank of choice for all Nigerians.
See Also: Young entrepreneurs in Nigeria across different industries and their entrepreneurial journey.
Awards And Nominations Of Oluwatomi Somefun
Top 25 CEO’s Next Bulls Award in recognition of the bank’s stellar performance on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) – 2019
Oluwatomi Somefun Quotes
“We underestimate the value of what each one of us can do.”
“So don’t quit just yet…you’re closer to the finishing line of your challenge than you think!”
“A job is a challenge and not an achievement!”
“Greatness is a process and not an event.”
“Your words weigh 1000 tons… Choose them carefully!”
“The only way to get rid of your past mistakes is to learn its lessons for the future; God will waste nothing. Make every experience count.”
“Every new person we meet presents a new opportunity from God, to be blessed or to be a blessing. Don’t waste it.”
“Experience they say is the best teacher, but the school fees are high, so save yourself fees and copy handouts from other people’s lessons.”
“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.”
“God is working, though we often don’t know just how…”
Entrepreneurial Lesson From Oluwatomi Somefun
You Can Be What You Want To Be
Oluwatomi Somefun studied English Language Education during her undergraduate studies, and she ended up as the CEO of one of the leading commercial banks in Nigeria.
How did she do this? By taking professional courses and attending a series of training that were in sync with her future projections.
Just like Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan of First Bank Plc, who studied veterinary medicine, but ended up as the CEO of First Bank. You can be anything you want to be no matter where you are coming from.
All you have to do is draw inspiration from the people who are already doing what you want. How did they get to their destinations? What steps did they take? Most times, we don’t have to make several mistakes, we can learn from the experience of us in life and in business.
Identify Your Passion And
When you are driven by passion, there is no limit to what you can achieve. Having passion for your dream helps you perceive in the face of challenges. Also, it becomes difficult to give up on your vision when you are passionate about it.
Oluwatomi Somefun had a passion to be an integral part of the financial services industry. So, even when her course of study wasn’t in sync with her passion, she went for professional courses to gain the pro knowledge and skill she needs to excel in the financial service industry.
As an entrepreneur, let passion be your driving force on your entrepreneurial journey. Constantly look for ways to learn, re-relearn and unlearn so you will stay relevant in your industry.
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