As Africa positions itself for decades of economic expansion, a new generation of Nigerian professionals in the diaspora is preparing to play a defining role in shaping the continent’s future.
Drawn from the MBA Class of 2026 at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, these nine Nigerians represent a growing pool of globally trained professionals who are acquiring world-class expertise in finance, investment, healthcare, technology, strategy and business leadership, with a common ambition of contributing to Africa’s development.
Their stories reflect a broader trend in which members of Nigeria’s diaspora are moving beyond remittances to build institutions, unlock investments, support startups in Africa and create solutions for some of Africa’s most pressing challenges.
OYESHINA OYELADE- The first-generation architect
Among them is Oyeshina Oyelade, an investment banking and mergers and acquisitions professional whose career has spanned capital markets and corporate finance across Africa. Having supported more than $5 billion in debt and equity capital raises, Oyelade believes finance should do more than generate returns.
According to him, capital should help businesses grow, create jobs and expand economic opportunities. His long-term goal is to bridge Nigerian and Canadian capital markets while helping businesses access the funding needed for sustainable growth.
OLUWASEUN ADESANYA – The translator
Also charting a similar path is Oluwaseun Adesanya, a finance executive whose experience cuts across PwC and American Tower Corporation. Having led financial planning and analysis initiatives across multiple markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Adesanya sees finance as a tool for decision-making rather than merely reporting numbers.
His work has supported infrastructure development, rural connectivity projects and operational improvements, while his ambition is to help organisations build stronger finance functions capable of driving business growth.
TOHEEB DARAMOLA- The conviction investor
In venture capital, Toheeb Daramola is focused on connecting African founders to global opportunities. Having backed startups across Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana, Daramola is committed to supporting entrepreneurs who often struggle to access international networks and institutional capital.
His experience at the globally recognised Creative Destruction Lab further strengthened his ability to identify and support promising ventures. Going forward, he hopes to help more African startups scale beyond their local markets.
JADESOLA AKINWUNMI- The deal architect
For Jadesola Akinwunmi, the focus is on deal-making and strategic growth. With experience in transaction advisory and corporate finance, he has worked on complex investment transactions, including a $150 million energy sector deal. He believes strong financial structures and strategic thinking are critical to helping businesses unlock value and attract investment.
OLANSHILE AINA- The capital bridge
Another professional seeking to address Africa’s financing challenges is Olanshile Aina. Her experience in corporate banking exposed her to the difficulties many viable businesses face in accessing capital. Through further training and exposure to Canada’s private markets ecosystem, Aina has developed a keen interest in alternative financing models that can support businesses often overlooked by traditional lenders.
Her ambition is to help expand access to long-term institutional capital for Nigerian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of the economy.
OLAKALE LIPEDE -The court-to-boardroom captain
Olakale Lipede’s career is built on a simple belief: finance is not just about numbers, but about shaping what gets built and improving lives. A former basketball captain and Student Athlete of the Year at International School Lagos, he learned leadership, discipline, and teamwork on the court before pursuing Accounting and Finance at the University of Surrey and a Master’s degree at Alliance Manchester Business School. Returning to Nigeria in 2016, he set out to contribute to the development of the country’s capital markets and economic growth.
At United Capital Plc, Lipede spent more than seven years rising from Analyst to Acting Team Lead, contributing to debt, equity, and M&A transactions that helped mobilise nearly CAD $7 billion (about N7.04 trillion) across Nigeria’s telecoms, energy, banking, and infrastructure sectors. He played a role in Nigeria’s first certified green bond, helping advance sustainable finance in the country. Beyond finance, he demonstrated a commitment to community development by leading a volunteer initiative that raised CAD $28,000 to build two Olympic-standard basketball courts at his alma mater, increasing youth participation and supporting greater inclusion in sports.
His leadership journey continued at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, where he was recognised as a Bonham Scholar and served in several leadership roles while expanding his expertise through strategy and finance competitions and an internship at PepsiCo Canada. He currently serves as Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis at Scotiabank, supporting financial reporting and strategic decision-making across multiple international markets. From Lagos basketball courts to global banking, Lipede’s career reflects a commitment to leadership, impact, and building stronger institutions, with a long-term vision of becoming a globally recognised strategic finance leader with a strong Pan-African perspective.
VICTOR ONABAJO- The integrator
Healthcare innovation is at the centre of Victor Onabanjo’s mission. A trained pharmacist, entrepreneur and healthcare strategist, Onabanjo has built experience across Nigeria, Germany and Canada. His career journey has taken him from patient care into healthcare business development and medical technology.
He believes improving access to quality healthcare requires both scientific expertise and strong business leadership. His goal is to help develop healthcare solutions that can create meaningful impact across emerging markets.
OLUWALONIMI ‘KOMI ONIPEDE- The brand builder
For Oluwalonimi “Komi” Onipede, Africa’s future lies at the intersection of climate action, sports business and technology. His experience spans global communications, climate advocacy and commercial partnerships. Having worked on international initiatives such as COP28 and Africa Climate Week, he sees enormous untapped potential in Africa’s sports and entertainment industries as drivers of economic growth and community development.
ADEDAYO LONGE- The economist who builds
Completing the group is economist and entrepreneur Adedayo Longe. With 45 published papers covering economics, finance and sustainability, Longe has transitioned from research into building practical solutions. His latest venture, Octo, aims to simplify commerce through an integrated digital ecosystem that combines marketplace services, logistics and rewards.
Together, these nine Nigerians represent more than individual success stories. They embody a generation that is combining global exposure with a commitment to Africa’s development.
As the continent’s population grows and its economies continue to expand, the demand for experienced leaders capable of navigating global and local realities will become increasingly important. For these professionals, the MBA was not the destination. It was preparation for the larger task of helping build Africa’s future.
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