When Ibukunoluwa Abiodun Awosika walked into her grandmother's store as a young girl in Lagos, she had no idea those early experiences attending to customers would ignite an entrepreneurial fire that would eventually make her the first female Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria.

Born on December 24, 1962, in Ibadan as the third of seven children, Awosika's journey from a chemistry student to one of Africa's most influential business leaders is a masterclass in courage, integrity, and unwavering vision.

The Unlikely Entrepreneur

Awosika's path to entrepreneurship was anything but linear. She initially wanted to study architecture, but life had other plans.

After graduating with a degree in Chemistry from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), she even attempted to switch to law, making persistent efforts to convince the Dean of Law to accept her. When that didn't work out, she took accounting courses alongside her chemistry studies.

During her National Youth Service Corps in Kano State, she worked as an audit trainee at Akintola Williams & Co. (later Deloitte), gaining valuable business insights.

Her real education in entrepreneurship, however, came from an unexpected source. After her service year, Awosika took a job as showroom manager at Alibert Nigeria Limited, a furniture company.

Three and a half months later, at just 25 years old, she made a decision that would define her life: she resigned to start her own furniture manufacturing company,Quebees Limited, which would later evolve into The Chair Centre Group.

Building on Principles, Not Shortcuts

In her interviews, Awosika consistently emphasizes one theme: integrity over expediency. When she started her business in 1989, no bank would give her a loan. She was young, female, and had no business track record.

Frustrated but undeterred, she raised money from family members and supporters who believed in her vision, purchasing used machinery from furniture companies that were closing down.

Her commitment to doing things right was tested early. In one of her most revealing interviews, she recounted delivering chairs to what she thought would be a TEXACO office. For five months, they paid interest on a loan while the building remained vacant.

Then, two weeks after finally delivering the chairs, 28 of them broke due to faulty bases. For a startup of their size, it was catastrophic.

But Awosika's response revealed her character. She chose to maintain integrity over profit, replacing all the broken chairs despite the financial hit. That decision, she reflects, produced many other jobs because clients trusted her commitment to quality.

In her own words from various interviews: "My name is more important than even the money. I am consumed by the fact that I want my business to survive when I am gone, otherwise I would have wasted my life." This philosophy of building for legacy rather than quick wins has been her guiding light for over three decades.

The Dragon Who Became Chairman

Awosika's profile rose significantly in 2008 when she became the only woman among five Nigerian entrepreneurs to appear on the first African version of Dragon's Den.

Her television presence expanded with her own show, "Business His Way," and she even ventured into acting, starring in the 2020 film "Citation" alongside Temi Otedola.

But her crowning corporate achievement came on January 1, 2016, when she was appointed Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, becoming the first woman to hold that position in the institution's long history. Her journey to that role had been methodical.

She joined the bank's board in October 2010, then chaired FBN Life Insurance Limited, later moved to chair FBN Capital, and eventually took control of the parent institution.

For over five years, she worked to rebuild and restructure First Bank, cleaning up non-performing loans and establishing robust governance systems.

When the Central Bank of Nigeria controversially removed the board in April 2021, Awosika stood firm in her response, stating: "I have always acted in honour and integrity with the utmost interest of the institution, all our stakeholders and the Nation."

The Philosophy of Liberation Through Enterprise

What distinguishes Awosika from many business leaders is her view of entrepreneurship as more than wealth creation. In multiple interviews, she articulates a powerful vision: "Entrepreneurship to me is more than a means of livelihood; it is a vehicle of liberation. It gives people a sense of purpose and dignity and can potentially rewrite the story of entire communities."

This philosophy extends to her passion for mentoring, particularly women and young people. She co-founded and formerly chairedWomen in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), established the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre to address youth unemployment, and created the 360 Executive Coaching series and The Life Series.

She founded the Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy and convenes The International Woman Leadership Conference in Dubai. Her recent initiative, African Marketplace Dubai, aims to give African entrepreneurs global market access.

When asked about balancing career and family, Awosika offers a perspective that has sparked both admiration and debate.

Despite her achievements, she is married to Abiodun Awosika, with whom she has three sons.

A Legacy Still Being Written

Now in her early sixties, Awosika's influence extends across multiple sectors. She serves on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards globally, including her recent appointment to Binance's Global Advisory Board in 2022.

She has received prestigious accolades including the Forbes Woman Africa Chairperson Awardin 2020, the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge Award in 2008, and recognition from institutions worldwide.

Her books, including "The Girl Entrepreneur" and "Business His Way," continue her mission to build what she calls "an army of strong-minded moguls, particularly in Africa."

Her guiding principle remains constant: bigger values guide actions. As she often says, "When you are pursuing your dreams and trying to leave a legacy, you will find help."

Her journey reminds us that opportunities may be everywhere, but as she notes, they are "looking for the people who have the heart and the courage to do it and do it right." She found that courage at 25 and has never looked back.