Funke Kasali

Adefunke Sharon Kasali is a Nigerian philanthropist and cleric. She was the executive secretary of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund's management board from 2007 to 2015. She is the founder of Diamond Lights Women Empowerment Initiative.

Education and career She completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Texas Southern University and obtained a Master of Business Administration in Finance and MIS from the University of Houston Graduate School of Business in 1991. She is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). She was appointed as the executive secretary of the Petroleum Equalization Fund Board from April 2007 to 2015. In 2011, the PEF reported savings of over ₦300 million for the Federal Government through improved monitoring and reduction of fraudulent claims. In 2013, the PEF under her leadership intercepted and stopped over ₦26 billion in illegal bridging claims.

In August 2011, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was reported to have arrested Kasali in connection with investigations, though she and her office categorically denied the arrest, describing the reports as false and misleading. She was dismissed from her position in May 2015 by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Philanthropy

Kasali founded the Diamond Lights Women Empowerment Initiative, a non-profit organisation focused on girl-child education and women's economic empowerment. In July 2018, the wife of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, attended and spoke at a Diamond Lights event, calling for greater support for girl-child education to eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

Personal life She is married to Pastor Yomi Kasali and they have two children.