Adaze Aguele-Kalu – Hon. Commissioner for Finance, Edo State Civil Service Commission

Adaze Aguele-Kalu, is a chartered accountant and investment banker with 22 years of international transformational leadership experience spanning private and public sectors. Given her extensive background, the tentacles of her expertise cover capital market development, finance, ESG and climate change aligned debt capital finance for renewable energy, infrastructure development and housing development. Her experience also cover stakeholder management, asset management, policy evaluation and impact reports, government & regulatory relations, strategy and business development.

She is a two-time presidential appointee and a seasoned technocrat. She was the Head of External Relations at FMDQ Holdings PLC and was responsible for planning and coordinating activities of the Debt Capital Market Project Office with a particular focus on ESG/Sustainable finance, housing and infrastructure. The objective was to develop a pipeline of green investments (Bonds, CPs) and facilitate engagements, stakeholder round tables and seminars with extant and potential investors. It also included generating new initiatives and stimulating innovative thinking and approaches to addressing climate challenges in an economically and financially viable manner in Nigeria.

In that capacity, Adaze also oversaw the government and regulatory interface of FMDQ and ensured timely and accurate results, actions and responses to legislative and regulatory requirements by the company.

Finally, she provided group-wide support in identifying, pitching and winning transactions across FMDQ’s service offerings by developing relationships and managing strategic partnerships that generated revenue, improved profitability and ultimately positioned FMDQ as a market leader.

Adaze was the former Executive Director, Asset Management at the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company, prior to that she was the Executive Director, Housing Finance, Accounts and Corporate Services at the Federal Housing Authority and she was also the Chief Marketing Officer and Deputy Head, Institutional Sales at BGL PLC.

She is a founding member of the Nigerian Advisory Committee for ACCA (NAC), a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the former Chapter Chairperson, a member of the Institute of Directors, and an MBA Ambassador at the Imperial College London Business School.

Aguele-Kalu is a seasoned technocrat with impeccable commercial acumen and the ability to identify opportunities for corporate sustainable growth and inclusion. She has a passion for infrastructure, renewable energy and real estate development. An indefatigable female leader, with strong mentoring and coaching ability.

She also has excellent business development skills. She is a confident individual, a facilitator for change and equality, and an effective communicator. She is passionate about economic development in emerging markets. A seasoned executive with a proven track record of achievements.