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Bayo Adeleke is a highly experienced Nigerian banking and financial services executive in multinational corporate environments and the Nigerian financial market. He has been in the market for more than three decades, and he's been leading in corporate, commercial, and investment banking. Since 2012, he has served as the Managing Director and CEO of Opticom Finance Limited, overseeing the company's strategic and operational leadership.
He's also served as Executive Vice President of Institutional Banking at First Bank of Nigeria Plc, one of Nigeria’s largest and oldest financial institutions. When he was working at FirstBank, he was made responsible for managing the bank's corporate client relationships, supervising the bank's international representative offices, and leading the bank's significant institutional investment portfolios.
In addition to that, he was the founding managing director and CEO of FBN Capital Limited, the investment banking subsidiary of FirstBank Group that handles equity and debt offerings, mutual funds, and private equity deals. This role further solidifies Bayo Adeleke's expertise in investment banking, corporate finance, and strategic market development. In fact, he was credited with successfully turning around FBN Merchant Bankers Limited from a loss-making operation to profitability.
Managing Director and CEO of Opticom Finance Limited
Currently (2026), Bayo Adeleke is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Opticom Finance Limited. He has been in this role since 2012, directing the strategic vision and operational leadership of the finance company. In December 2024, Bayo Adeleke was appointed as Board Chairman of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks.
In addition to his executive duties, Bayo Adeleke serves on multiple corporate boards, which include:
- Chairman of EPIC Payment Technologies Limited
- Director of The La Casera Company Limited
- Director of Engee PET Manufacturing Company Limited
- Director of Casspro Agro Industries Limited
These roles show Bayo Adeleke's diversified leadership interests across financial services and manufacturing sectors. I must say, he is indeed an experienced financial executive.
Bayo Adeleke Education
- MBA in International Business Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona, USA
- B.Sc. (Hons) in Political Science from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- Advanced Management Programmes at Harvard Business School (USA) and INSEAD in France.
Key Roles
| Role | Organization | Tenure/Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Union Bank of Nigeria Plc | Appointed Dec 2024 |
| Managing Director and CEO | Opticom Finance Limited | Since 2012 |
| Executive Vice President, Institutional Banking | First Bank of Nigeria Plc | Previous |
| Founding MD and CEO | FBN Capital Limited | Previous |
| Board Member / Chairman | Multiple Corporate Boards | Ongoing |
Is Bayo Adeleke Related to the Adeleke Family?
The Adeleke family of Ede, Osun State, is a prominent Nigerian political and business dynasty that includes figures like Adedeji Adeleke, businessman and father of singer Davido (David Adeleke the musician); Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State; B-Red (Adebayo Adeleke) and Sina Rambo, cousins of Davido and children of Ademola Adeleke; and musician Davido (David Adeleke) himself.
However, there is no reputable biological linkage that connects Bayo Adeleke to the Osun Adeleke family (the Adelekes of Ede). Bayo Adeleke is a seasoned banking and financial executive that has navigated around various sectors in the Nigerian ecosystem. In a nutshell, there's no verified evidence exists showing that Bayo Adeleke is related to the well-known Adeleke family.
