First HoldCo Plc has announced the appointment of Mrs. Abiola Baruwa as its new Group Company Secretary, marking a significant leadership transition at the Nigerian financial services company.
The appointment, approved by the company’s board of directors, was officially communicated to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the investing public on September 23, 2025.
Mrs. Baruwa will replace Mr. Adewale L.O Arogundade, who is set to retire as Company Secretary effective November 7, 2025. Arogundade’s departure concludes an impressive 35-year tenure with the First Holdco Group.
“Profile of Abiola Baruwa
Abiola Baruwa brings on board over two decades of extensive professional experience. She started her
career with one of the leading law firms in Nigeria, Olaniwun Ajayi & Co LP, Lagos in 2004 from where she
moved to G.M.O Legal Practitioners as an Associate and was with the firm from 2005 – 2006. She joined
Sahara Energy Limited in 2006 as Legal Services Supervisor and thereafter transited into the financial
services sector, starting with Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank) as a Legal Services Officer from 2008 – 2012.
In 2012, she joined FBNQuest Merchant Bank and rose to become Vice President, Debt Solutions. During
this period, she worked on a number of high-profile structured finance transactions in various sectors which
included oil and gas, power and telecommunications.
Thereafter in 2017, Abiola joined EcoBank as Senior Manager, Head of Company Secretariat and Head,
Corporate Bank Legal Services. In 2020, she joined Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) as Company Secretary,
where she also held the position of Company Secretary and Head of Legal, RMB Nigeria Asset Management
till her appointment as Group Company Secretary, First HoldCo Plc.
Abiola graduated from Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos with a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B Hons). She
obtained a Barrister at Law (B.L) from the Nigerian Law School, Abuja and was called to the Bar in 2004.
She also holds a Master’s Degree in International Finance Law (LLM), with Merit, from Kings College London,
United Kingdom.
Abiola is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), the
Institute of Directors, Nigeria (IoD) and Honourary member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria
(HCIBN) and has attended a number of leadership programs both locally and overseas.”
