Personality in Focus
Olakunle Aderinokun: Enhancing the Access Holdings’ Narratives with Keen Analytical Mind
With a passion for communication and a dedication to excellence, he weaves narratives that capture the heart of Access Holdings’ mission. From his early days to his current role as Head of Media and Public Relations, Olakunle Aderinokun’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work and determination, according to areport made available to the Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
Olakunle Aderinokun’s educational journey took him to Baptist Academy in Lagos, where he excelled and moved on to study at two tertiary institutions. He thereafter, developed skills in web design, graphic design, SEO, and digital marketing.
His voyage to becoming a master communicator began with a strong foundation in numbers. He earned a BSc in Pure and Applied Mathematics from the University of Ilorin, where he developed a keen analytical mind. It was during his time at First Marina Ltd, where he first worked, that he discovered his passion for finance and communication.
Aderinokun honed his skills in MIS and Accounts, and later in the Treasury department, learning the intricacies of financial operations, analysis and reporting, followed by a stint at Wall Street Trust Company as an Analyst, setting the stage for his future success in media and PR.
Olakunle Aderinokun is a seasoned professional with expertise in journalism, public relations, finance, and business administration. He holds an MBA from the University of Lagos and has trained at top institutions, including Lagos Business School and The World Bank Institute.
This multidisciplinary education has equipped him with a broad skill set, making him a versatile and sought-after expert.
As a journalist, Olakunle has interviewed top CEOs in public and private sectors and crafted compelling narratives that engage and inform audiences. He has attended exclusive workshops and conferences organised by leading institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These experiences have deepened his understanding of the financial and regulatory landscape, enabling him to provide insightful analysis and commentary.
With a global perspective shaped by international conferences and meetings, including the Asia-Africa Trade and Investment Conference, IMF-World Bank meetings, African Development Bank meetings and Africa Oil Week, amongst others, Olakunle is a valuable asset to any organisation. His commitment to excellence and continuous learning has earned him a reputation as a respected leader and sought-after expert. He communicates complex ideas clearly and engagingly, making him a trusted voice in his field.
Olakunle Aderinokun served as a Banking Officer at United Bank for Africa Plc and later worked at THISDAY Newspaper Group as a Group Business Editor and Associate Editor. At THISDAY, he was responsible for leading and coordinating beat editors and reporters as well as editing and writing business stories, special reports and analysis. He later founded Pure Synergy Ltd, a PR and reputation management firm.
Before joining Access Corporation, Olakunle served at Arise News Channels, where he honed his storytelling expertise as Editor and skillfully crafted compelling narratives by curating, editing, and sequencing video content to convey impactful messages.
During his early reporting years, Aderinokun reported Capital Market, Money Market, Economy , Commerce, Industry, and Aviation beats, as well as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and its agencies.
Following the passing of Abdul Kolawole Imoyo, the former Media head, on December 17th, 2023, Access Corporation appointed Olakunle Aderinokun as the new Head of Media and Public Relations.
Aderinokun announced his appointment via his LinkedIn handle, where he expressed his pleasure in assuming the new role. “I’m pleased to share that I’ve resumed a new position as Head of Media and Public Relations at Access Corporation,” Aderinokun stated.
Described as a detail-oriented journalist with a knack for balance in creativity and results, Aderinokun brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
By NOMA
The Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA) has celebrated Mr. Olakunle Aderinokun on his 55th birthday, describing him as a distinguished strategic communications expert and media professional whose nearly three-decade career continues to shape Nigeria’s communications and business landscape.
In a statement by Theresa Moses, Chairperson, NOMA highlighted Aderinokun’s current role as Head, Media and Public Relations at Access Holdings Plc, where he leads group-wide media strategy, executive communications, crisis management, and corporate reputation positioning across local and international markets.
The Alliance noted that his ability to align corporate narratives with business strategy, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory realities has strengthened institutional credibility and public trust.
Aderinokun’s career reflects a unique blend of journalism, financial services, and corporate leadership. He spent 24 years at THISDAY Newspapers, rising to the position of Group Business Editor and Associate Editor, where he played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s business journalism ecosystem. He later served as Editor, Business at ARISE News Channel, further consolidating his reputation for editorial excellence and impactful storytelling.
Throughout his journalism career, he covered critical sectors including banking, capital markets, energy, aviation, and macroeconomics, engaging directly with top policymakers, regulators, and corporate leaders. His extensive international exposure includes participation in global platforms such as the IMF-World Bank Meetings, African Development Bank Meetings, TICAD in Japan, the Nigeria-China Business Forum, Africa Oil Week in Cape Town, and Vaasa Energy Week in Finland.
Beyond journalism, Aderinokun brings strong financial and investment expertise, having worked with United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Wall Street Trust Company (now WSTC Financial Services), where he handled equity analysis, market research, and investment advisory. This foundation, NOMA noted, has enabled him to effectively bridge financial performance with strategic communication outcomes.
An entrepreneur, he founded Pure Synergy Ltd in 2013, a firm focused on reputation management and strategic communications, and later served as CEO of Excite Enterprise Ltd, an online business solutions platform.
In the public sector space, Aderinokun served as Media Adviser to Senator Tokunbo Abiru in 2020, where he led media strategy and publicity for the Lagos East Senatorial campaign, contributing to its successful outcome.
Academically, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (Pure and Applied) from the University of Ilorin and an MBA from the University of Lagos, complemented by executive education at Lagos Business School and professional training with the World Bank Institute, NIPR, and Standard Bank Group, South Africa. He also holds multiple professional certifications across public relations, banking, marketing, and digital communications.
NOMA described him as a quintessential, multifaceted professional whose career embodies excellence, innovation, and leadership.
“Olakunle Aderinokun represents the very best of strategic communication and media practice in Nigeria. His journey is not only inspiring but also instructive for the next generation of professionals navigating the evolving media and corporate landscape,” the statement read.
As he marks his 55th birthday, NOMA commended his enduring contributions and wished him continued success, good health, and greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, has congratulated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on the occasion of his birthday, commending his visionary leadership and reform-driven approach to policing in Nigeria.
In his birthday remarks, Dr. Ogunsan described the IGP as a “distinguished officer whose career has consistently reflected professionalism, courage, and a deep commitment to public safety.”
He noted that since assuming office as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police early this Year 2026, Disu has demonstrated a clear resolve to reposition the Nigeria Police Force towards greater efficiency and public trust.
Dr. Ogunsan particularly praised the IGP’s emphasis on intelligence-led policing, a strategy aimed at enhancing proactive crime detection and prevention, as well as his push for the integration of digital tools and forensic capabilities into police operations. These reforms, he said, signal a shift towards modern, accountable, and citizen-focused policing.
He further highlighted Disu’s decisive steps to strengthen the state policing agenda and officers’ welfare. He praised him for the effective policing model through the restructuring and reduction of tactical units, a move designed to address concerns over excesses while redeploying personnel to police divisions for improved community-level security.
The LSSTF boss also acknowledged the IGP’s consistent advocacy for discipline, integrity, and professionalism within the Force, noting that such values are critical to restoring public confidence and enhancing institutional credibility.
Reflecting on his track record, Dr. Ogunsan recalled Disu’s impactful leadership roles across key commands, including the Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory Commands, where he contributed significantly to crime control and intelligence-driven operations.
His tenure as the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos is a testament to his operational excellence and urban crime management.
Ogunsan wished the IGP good health, wisdom, and continued success in his efforts to build a more secure Nigeria. “On this special occasion, we celebrate not only a remarkable leader but a reformer whose vision continues to inspire confidence in the security architecture of our nation,” Ogunsan said.
Terrorists in northeast Nigeria killed a brigadier general in an assault on a military base, a local government chairman told AFP on Thursday, the second killing of a high-ranking officer in five months.
Africa’s most populous country has been fighting a terrorist insurgency for 17 years, since Boko Haram’s 2009 uprising, which has seen the emergence of powerful splinter groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province.
In an overnight attack, unidentified terrorists killed at least 18 soldiers and torched vehicles at a base in Benisheikh, about 75 kilometres from Borno state capital Maiduguri, an intelligence source told AFP.
“Unfortunately, the brigade commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, lost his life,” Kaga Local Government Chairman Zannah Lawan Ajimi told AFP in a phone interview.
Two intelligence sources confirmed Braimah’s death to AFP.
His death follows the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba by ISWAP in November. He was the highest-ranking military official to die in the long-running conflict since 2021.
“They overran the brigade,” one of the intelligence sources said, giving the death toll as “at least” 18.
The second intelligence source said that “the terrorists killed several troops” and “burnt vehicles and buildings before they withdrew,” without giving a toll.
The army and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
– Rising terrorist violence –
Researchers have warned of an uptick of violence since 2025.
Borno capital Maiduguri has seen two suicide bombings since December — the type of bloody, urban attacks reminiscent of the insurgency’s peak a decade ago.
On Wednesday, the US State Department said in a notice it was authorising “non-emergency US government employees” to leave Abuja “due to the deteriorating security situation”.
While the insurgency is concentrated in the northeastern countryside, terrorists from Nigeria and the neighbouring Sahel have made inroads western Nigeria, where organised crime gangs known as “bandits” have been raiding villages and extorting farmers and artisanal miners for years.
Gunmen killed at least 90 people across several remote villages in northwest Nigeria this week, according to an AFP tally of tolls given by local and humanitarian sources.
Among the attacks was an assault in Kebbi state that police blamed a local terrorist group known as Mahmuda, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
Kebbi sits on Nigeria’s border with Benin and Niger and since 2025 has been targeted by a rising number of terrorist attacks.
Conflict monitor ACLED says there has been a surge in violence in the area carried out by militants affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
In nearby Kwara state, in October, fighters from the Al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM claimed an attack after years of researchers warning that the terrorist conflict ravaging the Sahel risked spreading south towards coastal West African states.
In December, the United States, with Nigerian assistance, bombed northwest Sokoto state, targeting Islamic State Sahel Province fighters usually found in neighbouring Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso.
AFP
