Olu Akanmu Biography, Education, Career, Controversies, And Net Worth

Maria Olanrewaju | January 16, 2024 | Find It | No Comments

Olu Akanmu, the President and former Co-CEO of OPay-Nigeria, is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience spanning various industries. He served as the Executive Director of Retail Banking at First City Monument Bank, Chief Marketing Officer at Airtel, Managing Director of Retail Banking at former BankPHB, and General Manager of Consumer Marketing at MTN. A Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Olu Akanmu’s career showcases cross-industry expertise in telecoms, banking, fintech, FMCG, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Olu Akanmu Profile

Name	Olu Akanmu
Real Name	Olu Akanmu
Date of Birth	N/A
Tribe	Yoruba
Nationality	Nigerian
Occupation	The President and former Co-CEO of OPay-Nigeria
Religion	Christianity
Marital Status	Married
Net Worth	$5 Million
Copied from	contents101.com

Educational Background

Olu Akanmu’s educational background encompasses a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Ife, a Master in Business Administration earned at Lagos State University, and a Distinction achieved in the Management Advancement Program at the University of Witwatersrand Business School in South Africa.

Career

Olu Akanmu’s professional journey is marked by a diverse and impactful career, showcasing leadership roles across prominent industries. Serving as the Executive Director of Retail Banking at FCMB, Olu Akanmu brought strategic insights to the banking sector, contributing to the institution’s retail banking initiatives.

Transitioning to the telecommunications industry, Akanmu held the position of Chief Marketing Officer at Airtel. His role involved steering marketing strategies in a dynamic and competitive telecom landscape. Akanmu’s experience extended to the banking sector as the Managing Director of Retail Banking at former BankPHB, where he played a key role in shaping retail banking operations.

With a foray into the mobile telecommunications sector, Olu Akanmu served as the General Manager of Consumer Marketing at MTN. His responsibilities included overseeing marketing strategies aimed at enhancing consumer engagement.

Joining OPay-Nigeria as President and Co-CEO, Olu Akanmu played a pivotal role in the fintech’s operations. However, his departure in July 2023 brought attention to potential clashes in vision with the company’s leadership, particularly concerning the balance between financial goals and brand perception.

Beyond his corporate roles, Olu Akanmu engages in sharing valuable insights through podcasts on strategy, leadership, and management on “Olu’s Files.” He also contributes to the discourse on strategy and public issues through his blog.

Akanmu holds prestigious fellowships with the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy.

Controversies

Olu Akanmu’s departure from OPay in July 2023 surprised many, considering the fintech’s impressive growth under his leadership. Reports suggest that a clash of vision between Akanmu and the company’s leadership, particularly the Chinese investors, led to his exit. The disagreement revolved around differing priorities, with the Chinese emphasizing numerical achievements over brand perception. Proposed initiatives by Akanmu, including a payment gateway and a “payme” account for one-time payments, were reportedly put on hold. His commitment to social responsibility projects clashed with the investors’ focus on financial metrics.