The University of Ibadan (UI) will confer an honorary Doctor of Science degree on former Group Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Dr. Kazeem Adesola Adeduntan, during its convocation ceremony on Monday (tomorrow).
The award recognises Adeduntan’s contributions to banking, finance and commerce across Africa and the global community.
According to a message by the recipient posted in one of his verified social media handles tagged “A Shared Honour”, Adeduntan expressed humility at the recognition, noting that U.I, his alma mater and Nigeria’s premier university had previously named him the Most Distinguished Alumnus in 2020.
He wrote: “I first walked through the University gates together and graduated with the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1992. Every professional and personal success I’ve had rests on the foundation UI gave me.”
Adeduntan, who led First Bank Plc for several years and served as its Group Managing Director for nine years. He holds an MBA from Cranfield University, United Kingdom, where he was a Chevening Scholar in 2005.
He was also honoured with a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Cranfield in 2022.
Speaking on the latest recognition for the recipient, the Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Ademola Babalola on Sunday praised Adeduntan’s career, saying, “Dr. Kazeem Adesola Adeduntan’s leadership in the banking sector and his philanthropic engagements have brought pride to his Alma Mater.
“This honorary degree is a fitting tribute to his dedication to excellence especially for a man who have had distinguished career, thus reinforcing the university’s tradition of honouring alumni who have made significant impact locally and internationally,” Babalola added.
Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan (born 7 May 1969) is a Nigerian business executive with over 30 years of experience in the financial sector.
He served as the Group Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Limited and its subsidiaries (FirstBank Group) which comprises FirstBank Nigeria, FirstBank UK, FirstBank Ghana, FirstBank DRC, FirstBank Guinea, FirstBank Gambia, FirstBank Senegal, FirstBank SierraLeone, First Pension Custodian Nigerian Limited and First Nominees Ltd.
During his tenure, he led various initiatives aimed at transforming the bank’s operations, expanding its digital services, and overseeing its growth in both domestic and international markets.
