Abimbola Ogunbanjo, also known as Bamofin, was a Nigerian lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist. He was the Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), the non-operating holding company that emerged from the demutualisation of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2021 to 2022.
He died in a helicopter crash in California, USA, on Friday, February 10, 2024, along with his friend and former colleague, Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of Access Bank Corporation, and their families. He was 56 years old.
Ogunbanjo was widely regarded as a visionary leader, a legal expert, and a passionate advocate for education, health, and development in Nigeria and Africa.
He served on the boards of several multinational corporations and non-profit organizations, and contributed generously to various causes and initiatives. He was also the founder and managing partner of Chris Ogunbanjo LP, a renowned corporate law firm in Nigeria.
In this article, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions about Abimbola Ogunbanjo’s life, career, and legacy.
What was Abimbola Ogunbanjo’s background and education?
Abimbola Ogunbanjo was born in Nigeria to the family of Chris and Hilda Ogunbanjo, OFR, CON, a distinguished and foremost corporate lawyer, industrialist and philanthropist.
He had his early education at Corona School Apapa, University of Lagos Staff School, Claremont School, Hastings, Sussex and Igbobi College, Lagos before proceeding to Millfield School, Street, Somerset, England where he attained his GCE “O” Levels.
Ogunbanjo holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Business Administration from the American College, Switzerland. He also holds LL.B. from University of Buckingham, United Kingdom. He has Certificates in International Capital Markets and Maritime Law from the New York Institute of Finance and the University of Southampton respectively.
What was Abimbola Ogunbanjo’s career and achievements?
Ogunbanjo began his career as a credit analyst at Chase Manhattan Bank (Nigeria) Limited. In 1990, he joined the prestigious law firm of Chris Ogunbanjo LP, where he served as the managing partner. He has extensive experience in commercial law, with a particular focus on capital markets, shipping, and mergers and acquisitions.
Ogunbanjo held several leadership roles in the Nigerian business community. From 2017 to 2021, he served as the President of the National Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). In 2021, he was appointed as the Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), the non-operating holding company that emerged from the demutualisation of the NSE.
He was serving on the boards of several multinational corporations and non-profit organizations, such as Beta Glass Plc, AIICO Insurance Plc, ConocoPhillips Limited, GTL Registrars Limited, and the University of Buckingham Centre for Extractive Studies Advisory Board.
He was also a member of the International Bar Association, Nigerian Bar Association, Institute of Petroleum and a registered capital market consultant with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria.
