PR TIMES AFRICA PERSON OF THE WEEK.

 Adebayo Ogunlesi’s father was a professor of medicine in Nigeria. In 1970s, Adebayo took a trip to England and entered the Oxford University. He wanted to study economics and politics. After the completion of a Bachelor’s degree (received with honors), Ogunlesi went into further education in Harvard.

 There, he entered the Law School and, except him, there were only two other foreigners in the class. The school has such rules: they don’t like accepting foreigners but it was a lucky occasion for Adebayo that he was admitted. While there, Adebayo and another guy from his group became the first ever Africans to edit the Harvard Law Review. Now, it’s curious enough to hear that at that time Adebayo had a kind of irrational fear of numbers. This is why he entered Harvard Business School at the same time while he was studying law. He expected that studying finance and other related disciplines would overcome his fear. Image source: pcdn.co In the meanwhile, he completed law and received a Master’s degree in 1979.

 This was a push for his career for in a while, he became a clerk for a judge serving in the US Supreme Court. This was a great exception, too, because there had never been any non-American clerks occupying this position ever in history,sought opportunities abroad because Nigeria rejected me – Man living in Europe opens company in UK Three years later, Adebayo made a career movement and became a part of a known law firm in New York. He has been working there as an intern for only nine months when the bank called him to work for them. The point why the bank chose him was quite simple: a man who knew Adebayo personally in Nigeria recommended him to the bank that was cooperating with the Nigerian government at that time.

A huge turn in Adebayo Ogunlesi’s career At first, the bank claimed that it was borrowing the precious employee for no more than three months. Then, they were so satisfied with his work that three months turned into 20 years by now. The job offer spoke about a permanent position in any case. This was how Mr. Ogunlesi turned into the leader of the project-finance group eventually.

Due to the devoted working and dedication, he was quite soon promoted and his career took another turn up the helix. From the head of the project-finance group, he turned into the managing director of this department. However, it was only 1993 and the key promotion was only waiting for him somewhere ahead. In 2002, Adebayo Ogunlesi became what he is now – a big boss who supervises 1,200 persons under his charge and almost $3 billion of funds. This appointment for a new position was met with numerous appraisals and accolades. He was named one of the most influential persons in his area and so on.

Fortune gave him the title of one of the most powerful African executives in the entire United States.

 It’s certain that there should be a strong inspiring woman beside such a successful man. Who is she, the lady who has been standing at his side through all these years? Indeed, their marriage has come a long way since they have tied the knot in 1985.

 Adebayo Ogunlesi is married to Amelia Quist-Ogunlesi, an optometrist. For those who are interested in Adebayo Ogunlesi children – yes, the spouses were blessed with two children. There’s practically no available information about these children except the fact that they are both sons.