Mastercard

Chairman of the Board

Country Manager, Area Business Head,West Africa

The Institute of Directors

Director

Associate Director

Forbes Business Development Council

Official Member

Financial Services Innovators 

Advisory Board Member

Anglo African

Independent Director

Forbes Business Council

First Bank of Nigeria Ltd.

AGM(Cards and Messaging Business)

▪️Responsible for over 10m cardholders of FirstBank Nigeria & subsidiaries. 

▪️Working with Executive Management to improve customer experience leveraging digital platforms thereby growing the market share while maintaining FirstBank position as Number 1 Card Issuance in West Africa and Number 2 in Sub Saharan Africa.

Head, Cards & Messaging Business

My Responsibilities include;

▪️The design and implementation of a strategic partnership framework with mobile telecommunication companies in order to sign them on to the Mobile Money Scheme
▪️Identification and signing on new businesses for Government to People and People to Government mobile payments within the Public Sector segment of the economy, leveraging on FBN leadership in the sector while utilizing specific marketing programs to drive results in the identified Public Sector market.
▪️The design, development and implementation of innovative Value Added Solutions (VAS) for Mobile Money subscribers within the Public Sector segment.
▪️Management of the relationship with key customers in the Public Sector segment towards the achievement of revenue target and identification of business opportunities
▪️Periodic evaluation of performance and ensure corrective actions to remain competitive in the public sector segment
▪️The assessment and strategic response to competitive landscape, staying on top of regulatory developments and competitor activities relating to the mobile payments ecosystem.

Key Achievement

🏆The signing of the memorandum,and execution of Understanding between FirstBank and Airtel Networks in strategic partnership in the enrolment of 1Million Airtel subscribers as Firstmonie customers. (July 2013)

Head of Customer Segment, Mobile Financial Services

▪️Responsible for implementing the Digital Banking Strategy of the Bank.

Head of Digital Banking

Lugar Ricos Nigeria Ltd

▪️Getting new business and setting the strategic focus of the business

Chief Executive Officer

ADONAINET NIGERIA LTD

I was the Chief Commercial Officer for AdonaiNet, a Private Telecommunication Company which specializes in Virtual Private Network and the owners of PolCom (Police Communications) largest Closed User Group in Nigeria with over 100,000 subscriber base and still growing.

▪️As the Chief Commercial Officer with key focus on PolCom, I was responsible with my team in the development and the implementation of the business strategy of the new subsidiary within the AdonaiNet Group.
▪️Championed the management and sustenance of the business relationship between our Service Provider, Airtel and the PolCom subscriber. In addition to this, I also bridged the gap between the Nigeria Police Force and the Service Provider in the resolution of subscriber issues through the establishment of a PolCom Call Center and Customer Interaction Centers.
▪️With the ‘out of the box’ approach to the sale and distribution of SIM cards, PolCom emerged as a profitable business  venture from inception irrespective of the network challenges and the usual teething problem facing a start-up organization through an efficient cost management system.
▪️Implemented the direct marketing strategy to checkmate the abuse of the distribution agents of PolCom, this assisted to increase SIM sales to about 100,000 within 2 years of launch.
▪️The employment of best practice in the Telecom Industry coupled with market intelligence helped in maintaining the competitive edge of PolCom nationwide. 
▪️I also Initiated the maiden audit of PolCom Networks Ltd, by the reputable firm of Accountants, SIAO within the 2 years of operation.
▪️Within the 12months of operations of PolCom under my leadership, the organization prospected and won a contract to replicate the Nigeria model for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Guinea, Conakry. I also negotiated and won the contract to partner with Orange, a telecom service provider in Guinea, Conakry.

Chief Commercial Officer

Airtel Nigeria

(Formally Bharti Airtel)

▪️As the Head of Division solely responsible for the management, issuance of the Regional Balanced Scorecard for 8 Regions in the Operations Group. 
▪️Also managing the development of the automated Balanced Scorecard for the company. 
▪️During my stint in the Telecoms sector, I was at the forefront of change management working directly with the Chief Operating Officer in repositioning the Zain Networks Ltd, now Airtel Nigeria Ltd as market leader.

The organisation has over 17Million subscribers, business operational management of $2Billion, CAPEX Budget of $750M, OPEX Budget of $650M, Growth rate of 65% as at 2008 and 16% market share.

Principal Analyst

Zain(Airtel Nigeria Ltd)

▪️Responsible to feed the regional strategy definition process with all relevant information about the regions.
▪️Responsible to prioritize regions based on marketing potential estimation and Celtel’s performance.
▪️Regional strategy implementation and monitors targets achievements
▪️Ongoing reporting (weekly) on regional strategy implementation, based on functional updates and information received from regional analysts.
▪️Identified issues and opportunities regarding regional strategy implementation and escalate them.
▪️Followed-up on actions definition and implementation to address opportunities and solve issues
▪️Suggests potential actions to address issues and opportunities
▪️Define KPI's for team members and monitor performance.
▪️Participates in weekly operations meeting and other regional meetings upon request.

Senior Business Analyst

A trusted Senior Executive leading verifiable year-on-year success achieving revenue, profit, and business growth objectives within start-up, turnaround, and rapid-change environments. My extensive experience with highly engineered systems, require deep understanding of critical business drivers in multiple markets and industries. 

I believe my prowess in building relationships with upper-level decision makers, seizing control of critical problem areas, and delivering on customer commitments has distinguished me overtime.

I am also a sought-after International & Local Conference Speaker/Panelist on FinTech, Digital Transformation. Customer-centricity and Business Performance.

——


Career Highlights

🌟Currently overseeing the largest card base in Nigeria and 2nd in West Africa with over 11million cards and transaction value in millions of dollars annually.

🌟 Currently sit on the Board of Anglo Africa Investments Ltd as Independent Director and Executive Committee of eBusiness Industry Heads (CEBIH) as Secretary for Emerging Payments.

🌟Led the execution of the MOU between First Bank, UNICEF and Nigerian Government on the disbursement of payments to 20,000 rural women in Northern Nigeria, this project was worth $2.2M. The success of this project amongst other milestones prequalified me for the Pioneer role of Head of Digital Banking in 2015.

🌟A member of the esteemed Advisory Panel to New Age Summit and Board member for few Global FinTechs.

🌟 In collaboration with Firstmonie Team won a case submission in 2014 for “The Best Mobile Money Operator” award by Enhancing Financial Innovation &Access (EFINA)

🌟Functioned as the Group Head, Digital Banking who made the submission that won for First Bank “The Best Digital Bank of Distinction” by Global Finance Awards in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

——


Core Expertise

⭐️Board and Corporate Governance Expertise (Both Corporate and NGO levels)

⭐️Fintech

⭐️Digitalization

⭐️CEO, Board, and Senior Stakeholder Relationships

⭐️Leadership and Team Development

——


Community Projects

🎖 Convener of PrayingMumsInc,Global NGO with more than 5000 members, mentoring and supporting other women achieve their potential.

🎖Pillar Lead, Career Management Pillar of FirstWomen Network @FirstBank Nigeria Ltd supporting other Women to Excel.

——


I would be interested in hearing about global board opportunities where I could add significant value leveraging my tested and trusted multi-sector business skills.

Stepping into 55 feels like stepping into a beautifully lit room — one filled with wisdom, clarity, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

With each passing year, I am reminded that age does not silence your voice; it amplifies it. It deepens it. It gives it texture and meaning. The storms you survive, the victories you celebrate, the lessons you learn; all of them become the richness behind the words you speak.

Over time, I’ve learned that your story is not just yours. It can shorten someone’s journey.
Your lessons can guide someone who feels lost.
Your experience can ignite confidence in a younger woman who is afraid to speak.
And your voice, shaped by time and grace, can become a light for others.

At 55, I don’t take that lightly.

This season has taught me that timing is divine. You do not speak “late”; you speak when your voice has matured enough to make impact. And today, I step forward more deliberately, more intentionally, and more confidently, knowing that God has prepared me for such a time as this.

But beyond personal growth, today my heart overflows with gratitude for the people who hold me up, speak life into me, and walk this journey with me.

I am grateful for my family — my husband, my children, and my loved ones whose love anchors me and gives me a safe place to breathe, grow, and simply be.
I am grateful for friends who have become family, standing steady through seasons of clarity and seasons of stretch.
I am grateful for colleagues, mentors, and communities whose prayers, counsel, laughter, and support colour the chapters of my life.

You all make this journey not only meaningful, but beautiful.

So here’s to 55:
A year of deeper purpose.
A year of intentional impact.
A year of grace multiplied.
A year of speaking, serving, building, and becoming all that God has designed.

I step forward with gratitude, strength, and joy — ready for all that this next chapter holds.

Happy Birthday to Me! 🎉🎉
It is my year of Jubilee!

#FFLAt55 #GraceInEverySeason #PurposeAndImpact #WisdomInTime #WomenWhoLead #LeadershipJourney #FaithAndGrowth #GratefulHeart #SeasonOfImpact #FFLisDigital

Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal (FCA,FCTI,MBA)

Fintech CEO of 2025(African Global Economic Forum) Payment Influencer of 2024(Europe.Middle East.Africa(EMEA) 45 Most Influential Woman in Digital Transformation.Visionary Leader in Digital Transformation &Tech (2024)

LinkedIn FAM... Thank You for Celebrating With Me!

I am deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to celebrate my birthday; your warm messages, thoughtful wishes, and kind gestures made my day truly special.

Every note, call, and message reminded me of the incredible people I am surrounded by — colleagues, mentors, friends, and family — who inspire, encourage, and uplift me every single day. Celebrating with all of you, even virtually, was a beautiful reminder of the power of connection, community, and genuine relationships.

I am blessed to be part of a network of people who not only share in milestones but also walk alongside me in the journey of growth, learning, and impact. Your support motivates me to continue striving for excellence, serving with purpose, and making meaningful contributions in all that I do.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this birthday so memorable. I am honored, grateful, and truly touched by each of you.

#Gratitude #ThankYou #Blessed #DoubleGrace #FFLisDigital

MONDAY MORNING MOTIVATION | Executive Edge, Part 8

Happy New Week, LinkedIn FAM!

Strategies rarely fail because they’re bad. They fail because the people in power didn’t believe in them.

👉 In today’s video, I break down why boardroom strategies often collapse, and how I learned to present differently.

Boards don’t buy into ideas. They buy into impact. They care about risk. They care about alignment. Not buzzwords. Not slides.

So I shifted my approach:
 ✔️ I led with outcomes.
 ✔️ I spoke their language.
 ✔️ I used stories, not just data.

That’s how bold strategies moved from whiteboards to the real world.

💭 This week, if you’re pitching, presenting, or persuading; remember: Strategy doesn’t sell itself. You do.

#VisionaryLeadership #BoardroomInfluence #MondayMotivation #FFLisDigital

I believe in miracles and I am a walking one ! e get why .Pls check out my book on Amazon ‘when God says No’

IT Project Manager @ Lagos Free Zone (Tolaram) | PMP® | MBA | MIT | PSPO | CMC | Project & Product Management | Digital Transformation | Automation | AI

Someone called me “enslaved and retarded” because I believe in miracles.

I smiled—because they weren’t there.

☑️ When my sister was run over by a bus and came out with minor injuries.

☑️ When I was alone with my mum and two little children (the youngest barely six weeks), and my mum had a heart attack in the bathroom at night—and was miraculously restored.

☑️ When my sister’s pregnancy progressed with a fibroid until around the eighth month—and then it was gone.

☑️ When, in the week of my younger sister’s wedding, two family members were involved in road accidents—and both were unharmed.

☑️ When my elder sister’s entire family had a car accident—and everyone walked away.

☑️ When another sister found a breast lump and at the name of Jesus, it disappeared.

☑️ And above all, when Jesus entered my heart, wiped away my guilt, and gave me a new identity filled with joy.


These are a few of many. I have seen the hand of God—in my story from birth, in my teenage years, across my family, my career and even in the lives of my colleagues and neighbours. So if I’m “too zealous,” forgive me. I have seen too much not to testify.

I absolutely believe in miracles. But the greatest miracle is a transformed life. Only Jesus can do that—He gives beauty for ashes, removes guilt, and never forces His way in. He stands at the door and knocks; if you let Him in, He will come and dine with you, bringing goodness and mercy.


Why am I loud about my faith? Because at the end of life, no one clings to job titles, startups, workshops, or certificates. The real question is: Did I make the right decisions?

Giving your heart to Jesus will be the best decision of your life.

As the year winds down, take stock: Is there satisfaction? Peace? Fulfilment?

If the answer is no, I invite you to Jesus. No force. No rush. Just a sincere, heartfelt invitation.

Yes, Jesus loves you. 🩷 


#Faith 
#Testimony #Miracles #Hope #Jesus #Transformation #YearEndReflections

Bakare Oluwatobi Timothy FIMC, CMC, CPMP, CCSP, IAEng.

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