Francis Meshioye

Chief Francis Oluwagbenro Meshioye OFR (born 22 February 1961) is a Nigerian esotericist, accountant, and business executive. He serves as the 5th Olori Oluwo (Supreme Leader) of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (ROF), a Nigerian fraternal organisation, and as the 11th President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

Early life and education

Meshioye was born on 22 February 1961 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, into the family of the late Emmanuel Adeneye Meshioye and Mrs Janet Bolaji Meshioye, both of Abeokuta ancestry in Egbaland. His surname Meshioye alludes to royalty in Yoruba, meaning one who rides to a gathering on horseback.

He attended St John's Anglican School, Kuto, Abeokuta, and subsequently obtained GCE and RSA qualifications through correspondence programmes by 1977. He enrolled at the School of Accountancy and Business Studies after completing his secondary education and became a professional accountant at the age of 23 in 1983. He subsequently attended the Centre for Technology Policy under the Federal University of Technology, Akure, earning an MBA in Technology, Marketing and Business Strategy, and also holds an MSc in International Management from the University of Liverpool.

Business career

Meshioye is an executive director at JMG Limited, responsible for corporate affairs strategy, management of taxation, and legal affairs, a company he joined at its inception. He is a member of professional bodies including the Society of Company and Commercial Accountants (UK), the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (UK), and the Association of Pension Funds of Nigeria.

Since 2022, Meshioye has served as the 11th President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), where he chairs the highest governing body of the Association and represents MAN on several government council boards. In 2023, he received the Lagos State MAN of the Year Award.

Reformed Ogboni Fraternity

Meshioye joined the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity as a young man driven by a desire to understand Yoruba culture and spirituality. Having been a member for close to 30 years, he was inducted into the organisation at various levels, serving as Oluwo and then as Alakoso (a divisional head overseeing many conclaves) before his elevation to the supreme position.

In November 2010, Meshioye was unanimously elected by members of the Supreme Council of the Fraternity and installed as the 5th Olori Oluwo of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, succeeding the late Otunba Abiodun Oshowole. He has consistently maintained that the ROF is not a secret society, describing it as a cultural fraternal organisation open to people of all faiths.

Honours

In 2023, Meshioye was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the President of Nigeria in recognition of his contributions to national development. He holds the traditional title of Otunba Gbobaniyi of Ikosiland, Agbowa, Lagos State.