Board Profile (LAPO Microfinance)

LAPO Board is constituted to ensure effective leadership which delivers value to all stakeholders such as clients, shareholders, staff and the community. The strength of the board is in its diversity of skills, experience and orientation.

Osarenren P. Emokpae PhD-Chair

He is an Economist, a fellow of the Institute of Marketing and Institute of Directors, a Management Strategist and an entrepreneur with extensive experience in business and strategic management. He began his career in the marketing department of Unilever, Nigeria and for several years, the Strategic Director, Tryoka Holding a highly diversified advertising and marketing conglomerate.

Strengths: Governance, Strategy, Marketing and Corporate Communication.

Godwin Eseiwi Ehigiamusoe - CEO

Mr. Ehigiamusoe is an acknowledged microfinance practitioner who began his career as a rural cooperative officer before he founded LAPO. Ehigiamusoe plays a major role in the development of microfinance in Nigeria. He consults for a number of local and international microfinance initiatives.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Master’s degree in Development Studies and a diploma in cooperative management. He has attended several capacity enhancing courses in local and international institutions including Harvard Kennedy School, Lagos Business School, IESE Business School, Barcelona and INSEAD Business School, Singapore campus. Mr. Ehigiamusoe won the Model Entrepreneur Award –Nigeria in 2008 and the Schwab Foundation’s Outstanding Social Entrepreneur for Africa Award in 2010.

He has authored Understanding NGOs (1998); Poverty and Microfinance in Nigeria (2000); Issues in Microfinance: enhancing financial inclusion.

Strengths: Savings Mobilization, Risk Management, Product Development, Regulatory Issues and Strategy.

Andrew Edozie Ejoh

He is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years experience in audit management of companies in the commercial, banking and other alternative financial institutions. He holds a Diploma in Accounting from Faulks Lynch College of Accountancy, London. a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Managing Partner of an audit firm.

Strengths: Financial Analysis, Audit and Regulatory Compliance.

Osayande Ede

He has over 30 years cognate experience in Banking and Finance. He has been the Managing Director / Chief Executive of Equitorial Trust Bank and Co-operative Development Bank Plc. Chief Osayande is a Capital Market Specialist with reputation for organizational restructuring and turn-around. He is an Economics graduate of University of Benin and a holder of MBA from the University of Lagos. An alumnus of several international training institutions including International Institute for Management Development, Laussanne, Switzerland, American Express Bank, New York.

Strengths: Governance, Financial Analysis, Risk Management, Banking Operations, People Management, Organizational Development and Regulatory Compliance.

Rene Azokly

Mr. Azokly is an accomplished Microfinance Practitioner and was for many years, the CEO of PADME a microfinance institution in the Republic of Benin. He holds a first degree in Business and Economics, MBA in Finance and Project Management and Master’s degree in Economics and Development. He was the first Chair, Board of directors, African Microfinance Network (AFMIN) and member of Women’s World Banking, New York. Mr. Azokly is a Chairman or member of the boards of several local and international institutions including International Guarantee Fund (IGF) and PAMIGA, an International Village Banking Network with headquarters in Paris.

Strengths: Risk management, Product Development, Equity Assessment and Investor Relationship.