Olayinka Ijabiyi has been appointed as the substantive Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, the leading financial institution and provider of financial inclusion services in West Africa.
At a critical juncture in the Bank’s expansion and transformation process, the appointment strengthens sound corporate governance and goes into effect immediately.
Ijabiyi is an accomplished marketing and corporate communications specialist with more than 25 years of experience promoting stakeholder engagement, strategic visibility, and brand transformation in the media, financial services, telecommunications, and international development industries.
Ijabiyi began working for FirstBank in 2011. From December 2024 until his recent confirmation, he acted as the Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications.
He oversees the creation and implementation of corporate communications and integrated marketing plans for all of the Group’s markets.
He is in charge of executive positioning, corporate responsibility and sustainability, brand and reputation management, and strategic communications projects that are in line with the Bank’s goals.
Ijabiyi previously served as Head Brand Strategy and Special Projects, Head Digital Marketing, and Head Brand and Stakeholder Management in FirstBank’s Marketing and Corporate Communications Department.
Ijabiyi had a varied career before joining FirstBank, working for prestigious companies like British Council, Multichoice, MTN, and Etisalat Nigeria, where he was instrumental in corporate communications, brand development, and digital transformation projects.
Ijabiyi graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English language from the former Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti, and a master’s degree in public and international affairs from the University of Lagos.
Among other trade associations, he is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).
About The Author
