With a professional career spanning over three decades, Mr. Kayode Awolu, Managing Director/CEO, Jubilee-Life Mortgage Bank, is an astute, highly experienced and resourceful financial expert with experience spanning Corporate Banking, Credit Risk Management and Business Development.

A graduate of Economics from the University of Ibadan with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Kayode is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, as well as an alumnus of London Business School and Lagos Business School.

As one of the “100 Purpose-Driven, Transformative and Award-Winning Professionals of Excellence That Shaped Nigeria’s Economic Growth in 2026” recognised by The Guardian, Mr. Kayode Awolu spoke on his career journey, the repositioning and phenomenal progress of Jubilee-Life Mortgage Bank, the Bank’s adherence to ethical and global best practices, among other pertinent issues. Excerpts:

Can you describe how professional training has shaped your worldview and career journey, and how it affects your day-to-day activities, especially as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jubilee-Life Mortgage Bank Plc?

My background in Economics, professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant, and continuous exposure to executive education have given me a strong appreciation of the relationship between sound financial management, effective leadership, risk management, and sustainable business growth.

Beyond the technical knowledge acquired, professional training has taught me to approach business decisions from multiple perspectives. As a CEO, every decision has implications for our customers, employees, shareholders, regulators and other stakeholders. I therefore approach leadership with a strong emphasis on accountability, continuous learning, integrity and long-term value creation.

On a day-to-day basis, this training helps me to ask the right questions, assess risks objectively, challenge assumptions and make decisions that balance immediate business realities with the long-term interests of the organisation. It has also reinforced my belief that leadership is a continuous learning process. The business environment keeps changing, and leaders must continue to develop themselves if they are to remain relevant and effective.

As an accomplished financial and mortgage banking expert with a wealth of experience spanning over three decades, what can you add to Jubilee-Life Mortgage Bank’s phenomenal progress, particularly in terms of how it has earned the trust of both clients and other stakeholders under your watch, and what measures are being put in place to sustain this feat?

The progress recorded by Jubilee-Life Mortgage Bank is the result of collective effort. It is not attributable to one individual, but to the commitment of our Board, Management and staff, as well as the confidence and support of our customers and other stakeholders.

At the heart of our progress is a clear understanding of our purpose. We recognise that mortgage banking is ultimately about helping people achieve one of their most important aspirations: the opportunity to own a home. This requires more than providing financing; it requires understanding our customers, providing appropriate solutions and delivering consistently on our promises.

We have therefore continued to focus on customer experience, service excellence, prudent risk management, technology, operational efficiency and strong corporate governance. We are also conscious that trust is earned over time but can be lost very quickly. Consequently, we place considerable emphasis on transparency, responsible banking, regulatory compliance and maintaining strong relationships with our stakeholders.

Going forward, our focus is to consolidate these gains, deepen our digital capabilities, strengthen our mortgage and financing solutions, develop our people, and continuously improve customer experience. Our objective is to build an institution that is not only successful today but also remains resilient, relevant and trusted for generations to come.

As an indigenous company set up with a mission to deliver exceptional banking experiences by leveraging cutting-edge technology through the creation of mortgages, financing the construction of residential homes, and providing support to small and medium-sized enterprises, what is your overall assessment of the business landscape in Nigeria?

Nigeria remains a market of significant opportunities, despite the economic and operational challenges businesses currently face. The size of our population, entrepreneurial spirit, growing demand for housing, and enormous infrastructure and development needs of the country create substantial opportunities for businesses that are innovative, resilient and responsive to market realities.

For the mortgage sector, in particular, the housing deficit presents both a major challenge and a significant opportunity. Addressing this gap requires collaboration among financial institutions, government, developers, investors and other stakeholders. It also requires innovative financing models that can make homeownership more accessible and sustainable for more Nigerians.

Technology is another major driver of opportunity. Businesses can leverage technology to improve efficiency, expand access, simplify processes and provide customers with more convenient ways of engaging with financial institutions.

However, businesses must also recognise the realities of the Nigerian environment, including inflationary pressures, funding costs, infrastructure constraints and changing customer expectations. The key, in my view, is resilience and adaptability. Organizations that understand their customers, manage risks prudently, invest in their people and technology, and remain focused on their core purpose will be better positioned to navigate the environment and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

Apart from integrity, what are the other unique ways that Jubilee-Life Mortgage Bank PLC is promoting ethical business practices and contributing to the industry in particular, and the Nigerian economy as a whole?

Integrity is fundamental to our business, but ethical business practice goes beyond simply doing the right thing. It requires creating systems and a culture that encourage responsible decision-making at every level of the organisation.

At Jubilee-Life Mortgage Bank, we promote ethical conduct through strong corporate governance, accountability, regulatory compliance, transparency and responsible risk management. We also recognise the importance of treating customers fairly and ensuring that our products and services are delivered responsibly.

Another important area is our people. We encourage a culture where employees understand that how we achieve our results is as important as the results themselves. Continuous training, clear policies, internal controls and appropriate oversight help to reinforce this culture.

As a mortgage bank, our impact also extends beyond our immediate business. Financing homes contributes to the development of communities, while supporting businesses and economic activities, which in turn contributes to job creation and broader economic development. We therefore see responsible banking as part of our contribution to the Nigerian economy.