Meet
Ademola Adebise
Ademola Adebise is an accomplished corporate leader and strategic advisor with more than three decades of experience across banking, consulting, information technology, and corporate governance.
Corporate Leadership
As the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Nigeria’s pioneering digital bank and home of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, Adebise led one of the most remarkable innovation stories in the continent’s financial sector. Under his leadership, Wema Bank evolved from a traditional institution into a dynamic, technology-driven organization, expanding its reach, accelerating profitability, and redefining customer engagement in a digital-first economy.
Professional Background
Adebise’s career began at the nexus of technology and finance. Before joining Wema Bank, he held senior positions at Chartered Bank Limited, National Bank, and Accenture, where he advised leading institutions on systems design, business process transformation, and performance management. His experience has since grown to encompass Information Technology, Treasury, Risk Management, Strategic Planning, and Corporate Banking, a unique blend that continues to shape his consulting and governance practice today.
Current Work and Boardroom Governance
Widely regarded for his forward-thinking leadership and commitment to ethical values, Ademola Adebise currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Black Crown Advisory. He also serves on multiple boards:
- Family Homes Funds Limited (Chairman)
- FCMB Group Plc (Independent NED)
- Presco Plc (Independent NED)
- Duchess International Hospital (Independent NED)
- AIICO Insurance Plc
- AIICO Capital Limited
Across these roles, he provides strategic oversight and governance direction rooted in ethical stewardship, enterprise risk management, and digital transformation.
Advisory and Consulting
As a strategic advisor, Adebise works with boards, chief executives, and public institutions to:
- Navigate complex organizational transformation
- Strengthen governance and risk frameworks
- Drive financial inclusion and technology-enabled innovation
- Enhance institutional performance and stakeholder value
He leverages practical executive experience, technical expertise, and deep knowledge of financial services to provide actionable insight and trusted guidance.
Thought Leadership
Adebise is an author and public commentator on leadership, governance, digital transformation, and financial inclusion:
- Author: The Transformational Leader: The Journey of a Tech Bro Turned Bank CEO
- Frequent speaker at forums and industry events
- Advocate for collaboration between FinTechs and traditional financial institutions to expand access to finance and promote inclusion
His thought leadership emphasizes principled innovation, ethical leadership, and sustainable transformation, shaping conversations in Africa and globally.
Education & Professional Credentials
- BSc, Computer Science, University of Lagos
- MBA, Lagos Business School
- Executive Education: Harvard Business School (AMP) and University of Cambridge (Advanced Leadership Programme)
- Corporate Governance Programme, Columbia Business School
- Doctoral Studies, Cranfield University (in progress)
Professional Fellowships
& Memberships
- Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA)
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB)
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCIT)
- Member, Chartered Institute of Directors (CIOD)
- Member, Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN)
- Member, Nigerian Computer Society (NCS)
Awards and Recognition
In recognition of his contributions to corporate transformation and ethical leadership, BusinessDay named him among Nigeria’s Top 25 CEOs in 2019.