Ajoritsedere Awosika

Ajoritsedere (Dere) Josephine Awosika (January 15 1953) is a Nigerian businesswoman who is chairperson of Access Bank plc. Prior to this appointment, she was Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministries of Internal Affairs, Science & Technology and Power at different periods.

Early life and family background Awosika was born in Sapele, the sixth child of the first Nigerian Minister for Finance in the first republic, Festus Okotie-Eboh, who was assassinated in 1966. She is a fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy. She is an alumna of the University of Bradford, where she holds a Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Technology. Education

Awosika attended Anglican Girls Grammar School, Benin City. She graduated with a Second Class Upper degree in Pharmacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1976. She subsequently obtained an MSc in Clinical Pharmacy and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology from the University of Bradford, UK.

Public service career

Awosika served the Nigerian Federal Civil Service for over three decades, holding several senior positions. She served as pioneer National Coordinator and Chief Executive of the National Programme on Immunisation, contributing to Nigeria's polio eradication efforts. She also served as Director of Parastatals in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and Director of Community Relations and Youth Development in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

She was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2010, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in 2011, and retired from the Federal Civil Service in January 2013 as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power.

Business career

Following her retirement from the civil service, Awosika joined the private sector. She served as Chairman of Chams Plc and as an independent director of Capital Express Assurance. She was subsequently appointed Chairperson of Access Bank Plc, one of Nigeria's largest commercial banks. She also serves as a member of the board of Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.

Recognition

Awosika is a recipient of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) national honour. She has also received the Distinguished Vocational Service Award of Rotaract District 9130 Nigeria, the ECOWAS Community Service Gold Award, and the Distinguished Pharmacist Award by the Lagos branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.

In January 2023, a platinum jubilee celebration was held in her honour to mark her 70th birthday, attended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Ooni of Ife, and other notable Nigerians.