FirstBank confirms the appointment of Olayinka Ijabiyi as group head, marketing and corporate communications

FirstBank, West Africa’s leading financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has confirmed the appointment of Olayinka Ijabiyi as Group Head of Corporate Marketing and Communications.
The appointment takes effect immediately and strengthens solid corporate governance at a crucial time in the Bank’s growth and transformation journey.

Olayinka Thomas Ijabiyi is a seasoned marketing and corporate communications professional with over 25 years of experience in brand transformation, strategic visibility and stakeholder engagement across the financial services, telecommunications, media and international development sectors.

Ijabiyi joined FirstBank in 2011 and served as group head of marketing and corporate communications from December 2024 until his recent confirmation.
In his role, he leads the development and execution of integrated marketing and corporate communications strategies across the Group’s markets. Oversees brand and reputation management, executive positioning, corporate responsibility and sustainability, as well as strategic communications initiatives aligned to the Bank’s corporate goals/aspirations.

Prior to his current role, Ijabiyi held leadership positions within FirstBank’s Corporate Marketing and Communications department, including Head of Brand Strategy and Special Projects, Head of Digital Marketing, and Head of Brand and Stakeholder Management.

Prior to joining FirstBank, Ijabiyi built a diverse career in leading organizations including the British Council, Multichoice, MTN and Etisalat Nigeria, where he played key roles in brand building, corporate communications and digital transformation initiatives.

Widely recognized for his strategic mindset and leadership ability to translate business objectives into impactful marketing and communications strategies, he has successfully led major brand initiatives, including milestone anniversary campaigns and brand refresh programs, consistently ensuring efficiency and enhancing brand value.

Ijabiyi holds a Masters in Public and International Affairs from the University of Lagos and a Bachelors in English Language from the former Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti.
He is a member of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), among other industry bodies.