Olakunle Aderinokun at 55: The Quiet Strategist Driving Access Holdings’ Media Renaissance

Olakunle Aderinokun at 55: The Quiet Strategist Driving Access Holdings’ Media Renaissance

LAGOS, Nigeria — Olakunle Aderinokun, Head of Media and Public Relations at Access Holdings Plc, has been celebrated for his strategic influence and steady leadership as he marks his 55th birthday, with industry stakeholders highlighting his role in shaping the corporate voice of one of Africa’s leading financial institutions.

Aderinokun, who assumed the role in 2024 at a critical period for the organisation, is widely regarded as a seasoned professional whose blend of technical expertise, emotional intelligence, and strategic insight has strengthened Access Holdings’ communications architecture.

With a career spanning banking, investment analysis, and more than two decades in journalism—including senior roles at THISDAY and ARISE News—he brought to the position a deep understanding of the media ecosystem. This experience has been instrumental in refining how the company communicates its vision, resilience, and market positioning.

Colleagues describe Aderinokun as a people-oriented leader who promotes professionalism, collaboration, and high performance within his team. His leadership style, characterised by quiet influence rather than overt authority, is credited with fostering internal cohesion and improving the quality of media output across the organisation.

He is also noted for maintaining a strong working relationship with the Group Head of Communications, Amaechi Michael Okobi, ensuring alignment and consistency in corporate messaging at the highest level.

Under the broader leadership of Group Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and the direction of Okobi, Aderinokun recently played a key role in securing a high-impact special publication in the Financial Times (UK). The feature, which included a corporate centrespread for Access Holdings and a full-page advertisement for Access Bank UK, coincided with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom in March 2026.

Beyond corporate responsibilities, Aderinokun’s longstanding ties with the media community have remained a defining feature of his career. Having risen through the ranks as a journalist, he is known for maintaining strong relationships with reporters, editors, broadcasters, and online publishers. Industry professionals consistently cite his accessibility, fairness, and respect for journalistic practice.

A member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Aderinokun exemplifies a multidisciplinary approach to communication—combining analytical rigour with administrative expertise. He holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of Ilorin and an MBA from the University of Lagos.

As he celebrates his 55th birthday on April 20, tributes continue to pour in, recognising a career defined not just by longevity but by measurable impact, credibility, and consistency in Nigeria’s corporate communications landscape.

The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), in a congratulatory message signed by its National President, Mayor Oki O. Samson, commended Aderinokun for his contributions and wished him continued success.