Bolaji Olagunju is the Executive Chairman of Workforce Group, where he drives strategic initiatives and mentors the leadership team to deliver innovative business and HR solutions across Africa. He also invests in and supports entrepreneurs through his project, Bolajiolagunju.com.

Before becoming Executive Chairman in August 2019, Bolaji served as CEO for 15 years, growing Workforce Group from a small startup to a major player operating in 9 African countries, with a headquarters spanning 10,000 square meters, annual revenue over a billion naira, and a staff of over 8,000.

Bolaji collaborates with CEOs, HR executives, and business leaders to provide integrated business and workforce solutions. As a serial entrepreneur, he is passionate about helping others succeed and is the bestselling author of two practical, value-laden books.

He also engages in coaching and mentoring the leadership team, advise on key strategic initiatives, drive high level execution imperatives, and help the company to acquire the right to win in its Marketplace.

FATIMAH AKANDE holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from Olabisi Onabanjo University, thereafter, proceeded to obtain a master’s degree, LL.M in International and Commercial Law from the University of Buckingham and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2008.

She has extensive Legal (Corporate & Commercial law), Company Secretarial, Compliance, Corporate Governance, Merger & Acquisition and Crisis Management experience with vast Legal Consulting portfolio spanning 15 years. She has gained several certifications in Leadership, Negotiation Mastery, Crisis Management, Compliance & Risks from institutions such as Harvard Business School, INSEAD, Lagos Business School and John Hopkins University.

She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Prior to Joining Black Pelican as the Group General Counsel, some positions she held were Head of Legal and Regional Compliance Officer of Synlab Nigeria Limited, Head Legal/Company Secretary of ETACT Systems Limited. She is currently a member of the Board of Trustee and Program Director for DWF.

Major General Cyril U. Agulanna (rtd), was born on January 11, 1966, in Nguru, Imo State, is a distinguished retired officer of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps with 35 years of meritorious service.

A graduate of the Nigerian Military School Zaria and the University of Ibadan (B.Sc. Computer Science), he also holds an MBA from the University of Lagos and is a Fellow of several professional bodies. He played a pivotal role in modernizing the Nigerian Army’s financial systems, including the biometric enrolment and e-payment systems, and served in key positions such as Deputy Defence Attaché in Washington DC, Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration, and Director at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.

He is a graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (mni) and has attended numerous leadership and technical courses globally, including Harvard Business School. His contributions extend beyond the military, notably in environmental sustainability through the development of the Sanitation Assessment Application Software for Health (SAASH). Decorated with multiple service medals, he is also known for his expertise in finance, logistics, IT, and strategic planning. He enjoys cycling, tennis, and smooth jazz, and is married with children.

MICHAEL OWOLABI is a qualified Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He attended Edo State University (LL.B 1992), Nigeria Law School (BL 1993) and the University of Lagos (LL.M 1997).

Starting from 1994, Michael spent the first years of his career in Investment Banking, Treasury and Strategy with Guaranty Trust Bank PLC and Societe Generale Bank Limited before becoming an entrepreneur in 2004 with the founding of Black Pelican Limited (IL Bagno, Bathroom Direct, BPL Wellness, BPL Logistix and Bagno Technik) other companies include BPL Energy Limited, Abigail Michael Limited and Toll Brothers Limited Between 2000-2003.

Michael gained substantial experience working in advisory roles at both Federal and State Governments levels (first in the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Special Assistant in the Budget Office and later as Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State) where he developed skills in the areas of budgeting, strategy, debt management, scenario planning, governance, public administration, and leadership.

Michael has attended several management courses within and outside Nigeria including Citibank School of Banking, NY, Harvard Business School, Boston, Institute Européen d ‘Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) Fontainebleau, France and IMD Lausanne, Switzerland. Michael also founded Detainees Welfare Foundation, a not for profit dedicated to providing awaiting trial detainees with legal assistance.

Adetola Owolabi holds a B.Sc in Business Administration from the University of Lagos and an MBA from the University of Liverpool.
She spent the first 15 years of her career in Relationship Management at Guaranty Trust Bank PLC where she specialized in the structuring of complex commercial credit transactions and international trade finance.
She was Group Head of the Commercial Banking Group responsible for commercial banking clients in the Lagos area.

Her last position was Assistant General Manager and Group Head of the Bank’s Maritime Group charged with developing the maritime sector as a core business focus of the bank.

Adetola has attended several management courses at Harvard Business School, Columbia University Graduate School of Business, IMD, INSEAD and The Leonard Stern Business School of New York University. She is currently the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer in Black Pelican limited, and a Board of Trustee Member for Detainees Welfare Foundation