AKINSELOYIN AKINTAYO ABIOLA

I was born in Lagos, Nigeria. My father, being a military officer, was a feared and revered figure back in those days. Now, he is one of my best friends and my trusted advisor when I need to talk. My mother was a civil servant, and I have 3 siblings. My early education was shaped by military schools. I have always been a creative person who loved to daydream as a young adult. I was also an avid reader and an amateur artist who always drew anything at sight. I’m a closet writer with one published story in the book Closet Space: Anthology of Urban African Writing. 

After schooling, I earned a BSc in Urban and Regional Planning and served a National Service Year in the NYSC program. After that, while all my friends were busy pursuing MBAs, I started my career as a salesman. I never liked it, but the experience factor aided my subsequent career advancement. I always admired the marketing team and wanted to be like them. The reason was my neighbour, a brand manager for Guinness Nigeria. I admired him a lot and never missed an opportunity to chat with him. Because of him, I developed a passion for marketing. To realise my ambition, I started reading marketing resources and took short marketing courses. I openly contributed to corporate events and discussions, which gave me exposure. One day, my opportunity knocked when the Marketing GM asked me to apply for a brand manager role for which the company was recruiting. It was a big honour for me, and I applied. After a rigorous recruitment process, I became an Assistant Brand Manager. My lack of seniority and career change from a salesman to a brand manager affected me.

However, I soon gained the confidence of my senior management, like my Line Manager and Department Head, through my passion and hard work. Within a year, I was promoted to the Brand Manager position. From then on, I never looked back. Because of my innovative nature and NPD, I have built several brands from the ground up. I've worked for leading alcohol companies. With Intercontinental Distillers, I launched Nigeria's leading bitters brand, Action Bitters; a liquor brand, DeRok Cafe; and, sadly, a failed ready-to-drink brand, Teezers. With Pernod Ricard, I launched Seagram's Imperial Blue and managed global brands like Jameson Irish Whiskey and Absolut Vodka and a host of other spirit brands in tequila and sparkling wines. I was drafted by Pernod Ricard to lead the first local production for Pernod Ricard sub-Saharan Africa to launch Seagram's Imperial Blue whisky (a whisky with origins in India). Seagram's is today the leading standard whisky in Nigeria. I moved from Pernod Ricard to join Diageo (Guinness Nigeria) as brand manager of mainstream spirits. I managed Smirnoff Vodka and McDowell's Whisky for Diageo. I am currently with the Tolaram Group as the Brand Manager for Homecare products.

Even with my success in my career, I desired to broaden my horizons and sharpen my management skills rather than stay within my field of marketing. I am an animated thinker and a knowledge-seeker, preparing myself for future leadership roles. I'd love to contribute to my country academically, through thought leadership, or in management. My country, Nigeria, with our politically conscious young voters, must choose competent leaders to propel the country towards peace and prosperity. We need visionary politicians and a crop of young talents to make it happen. The country needs thought leaders with their strategies and frameworks to catalyse the country's development. Without these talents and leaders, we might end up with leaders who might not be able to visualise this grand vision despite their good intentions. 

I have always been on a job since completing my mandatory one-year of government service. This has made me busy all through whilst most of my colleagues had their MBAs immediately after service. I have attended several training programs and seminars in the course of my career but haven't gotten major certifications in the fields I have knowledge and some experience in. As I've reached the senior leadership stage, I can see the responsibilities ahead and feel the need for better qualifications, skills, and leadership. I've noticed that an MBA can catalyse these traits and help me be an asset to my country. So, 17 years after my BSc, I enrolled in this online Masters Program in Strategic Management and Leadership. This program will also prepare me for public/political opportunities in my country, Nigeria, in the near future, amongst other opportunities. I can help my country become stronger through my education and profession. I see so many talents that have shied away from public office and leadership. However, the private sector is contributing to the running of critical sectors of the country through experience and leadership. My dream is to build a country so strong and prosperous that my children and their children will be proud of it. I'm working towards that goal day in and day out.

Finally, my advice to marketing and management professionals is to learn. Always continue to learn. I do not mean just classroom learning. There is knowledge to be picked up everywhere. Remain positive and go for that role or that job that you aspire to. Nothing is impossible, but you must always be prepared for that opportunity because it will come if you stay positive. Remember, you are not only helping yourself but also your family, society, and country.