FirstBank appoints Olayinka Ijabiyi to lead Marketing and Corporate Communications division

Olayinka Ijabiyi has been appointed as the substantive Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, a position that took effect immediately and reinforces the bank's commitment to strong corporate governance at a critical juncture in its growth and transformation journey.

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With over 25 years of experience in driving brand transformation and stakeholder engagement, Ijabiyi brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role, having worked across various sectors including financial services, telecommunications, media, and international development.

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Ijabiyi joined FirstBank in 2011 and has been serving in an acting capacity as the Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications since December 2024, leading the development and execution of integrated marketing and corporate communications strategies across the bank's markets.

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In his role, he is responsible for overseeing brand and reputation management, executive positioning, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, as well as strategic communications initiatives aligned with the bank's business objectives and aspirations.

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Prior to his current role, Ijabiyi held various leadership positions within the Marketing and Corporate Communications Department at FirstBank, including Head Brand Strategy and Special Projects, Head Digital Marketing, and Head Brand and Stakeholder Management.

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Before joining FirstBank, Ijabiyi built a diverse career at leading organizations such as British Council, Multichoice, MTN, and Etisalat Nigeria, where he played key roles in brand building, corporate communications, and digital transformation initiatives.

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Ijabiyi is widely recognized for his strategic mindset and ability to translate business objectives into impactful marketing and communications strategies, having successfully led major brand initiatives, including milestone anniversary campaigns and brand refresh programs.

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He holds a Master's degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Lagos and a Bachelor's degree in English Language from the former Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti.

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Ijabiyi is a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), amongst other industry bodies.