Draft:Niyi Adenubi

Niyi Adenubi (born July 14, 1980)is a Nigerian, Investor#Role of the financier and Art patron . He is a Co-founder of VFD Group Plc , an investment firm listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NGX) and operating across Nigeria, Ghana and the United Kingdom. The firm's portfolio spans sectors including banking, entertainment, capital markets, fintech, international remittance, real estate and hospitality.

Adenubi serves as an Executive Director at VFD Group , where he brings expertise in governance and investment management. He is the Founding Chairman and Non-Executive director of Anchoria Asset Management, a Non-Executive Director of E-clat/Interswitch Health, and the founder of the Legacy Art Foundation. Additionally, he is a trustee on the board of the GAS Foundation (An Affiliate of the Yinka Shonibare Foundation) and United Way Greater Nigeria (UWGN), an affiliate of United Way Worldwide (UWW).

EARLY LIFE AND CHILDHOOD

Niyi Adenubi was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria to the late Aderemi Adenubi, a geologist and agro-chemical trading entrepreneur, and Molape Adenubi, a mechanical engineer who worked at Briscoe Motors.

Adenubi's interest in investment banking and finance started at the early age of nine. He was inspired by his neighbour, Professor Emmanuel Edozien who was a former Special Advisor to President Shehu Shagari. Watching Professor Edozien live a purposeful and fulfilling life with his family, young Adenubi aspired to achieve a similar lifestyle, though he wasn't initially sure which career path would lead him there. It was after repeatedly watching Edward Lewis in the movie Pretty Woman and memorizing its script word for word that Adenubi identified investment banking as his path. This realization solidified his determination to become Africa's premier financier.

EDUCATION

Niyi Adenubi attended Sacred Heart Primary School in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he excelled academically but initially struggled with social interactions. Determined to change this, he modelled himself after Edward Lewis from "Pretty Woman" during his secondary school years, making a conscious effort to build rapport with his peers. He often jokes that he might have become a seminary priest if his father hadn't insisted he pursue higher education. Adenubi went on to earn a degree in Sociology from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Following his graduation in 2004, Niyi Adenubi relocated to the United Kingdom to embark on his career as an investment banker. After achieving success in various business ventures, he furthered his education by obtaining certifications in Finance and Business Management from the Tanaka Business School and is attending the Owner/President Management (OPM) Executive Program at Harvard Business School.

CAREER

Adenubi began his career in 2005 at the Royal Bank of Scotland in the United Kingdom, where he built a robust network in corporate and institutional banking until 2008. During this period, he founded his first company, Paragon Partners Nigeria Limited. In 2009, he briefly joined Atos Consulting, a French-owned firm supporting government projects. By the end of 2009, Adenubi had built a thriving business and decided to return to Nigeria to seize what he saw as the best investment opportunity of his life: VFD Group Plc.

Commitment to Corporate Governance

Niyi Adenubi, in all his years of finance and investment, has been committed to building Africa's diverse business environment. Across multiple sectors, he has served on boards in both Executive and Non-Executive capacities. Adenubi serves as an Executive Director at VFD Group, where he brings expertise in governance, investment management, and strategic leadership. His role involves overseeing corporate governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and driving sustainable business practices.

Adenubi is the founding chairman and non-executive director of Anchoria Asset Management, where he provides strategic direction and governance oversight. He is also a non-executive director of E-clat/Interswitch Health, where he supports board decision-making and maps out company strategy to enhance operational efficiency and innovation. Armed with a list of questions for Nonso Okpala, who would become his co-founder and Group Managing Director at VFD Group Plc, this pivotal journey led to his co-founding VFD Group Plc alongside 32 friends, solidifying his long-term role in the company.

Art

As a youth in London, Niyi Adenubi spent much of his free time exploring art exhibitions, historic museums, and creative works that connected him with the legacy of people of African descent. While admiring masterpieces like the Mona Lisa. He often pondered why African art, with its rich heritage and craftsmanship, wasn't receiving the recognition and financial pull it deserved. By 2010, as Adenubi built his fortune, his passion for preserving African art grew stronger. In 2015, he began his journey as an art collector, acquiring his first piece: "Silent Prayer" by Tega Akpokona and his commissioned family portrait by Nengi Omuku.

Adenubi quickly became known in the African art circle not only as a collector but also as a patron. He was featured in the 2023 Dada Magazine issue as a Patron and has discussed African Art with both the Africa Business Report and CNN.

In 2022, Niyi Adenubi founded the Legacy Art Foundation, a tribute to his Ijebu-Igbo lineage and inspired by his grandfather's story. The foundation aims to enrich the art community with the network Adenubi has amassed over the years. Through the Legacy Art Foundation, Adenubi provides scholarships, mentorship, global exposure, and most recently, access to financial inclusion through a partnership with VFD Bank.

Adenubi hopes to see young African artists excel beyond household names like Ben Enwonwu and Yusuf Grillo, with their works gracing global walls and receiving recognition and acclaim.

Personal life

Niyi Adenubi is a recreational buff who expertly navigates boats in his free time, plays tennis and sometimes squash. He is married and has one Son who he considers his Favorite human on earth.