McKenna Fellow (Sustainable Development)
University of Notre Dame
Total years of experience :21 years, 9 Months
Successfully managed projects and led implementation of internal audit & risk management requirements, processes, and technology across multiple products. Assisted companies in setting up their enterprise risk management & internal control frameworks, processes and infrastructure, introduced various reports and metrics to track risk limits, control breaches, P&L and position exposure, established procedures for internal audit & risk reporting and root cause analysis. Responsible for developing effective presentations on internal control & audit work programs, risk analysis and mitigation strategies while continuing to successfully execute several Financial Institutions, Oil & Gas Companies, Sovereign entities and top-tier Corporates operating in the region.
Key Accomplishments:
• Developed audit work programs, risk measurement, mitigation and monitoring models tools for clients.
• Improved operational processes for a client by identifying business level risks, data integrity weaknesses, and procedural enhancements in the company’s risk insurance reviews.
• Successfully orchestrated the development of audit working papers, audit testing programs, risk identification, assessment, measurement and control strategies and data collation for client’s risk registers.
• Documented front-to-back business processes, facilitated risk control assessment workshops and provided process improvement recommendations for a diversified finance company entering the West African market.
• Skilfully coordinated development of internal audit work plans, audit issues aggregation, risk quantification, risk insurance methodologies and development of internal control & risk matrix for various companies.
• Executed periodic Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) control self-assessment tests on client Companies’ controls and implement documentation on the system as well as propose control remedial actions as required on project.
• Participates in Internal Control Review of client companies’ processes, projects, JV and affiliates’ audit.
• Effectively conducted special investigations and drafted reports on findings and recommended solutions.
Successfully managed projects and led implementation of internal audit & risk management requirements, processes, and technology across multiple products. Assisted companies in setting up their enterprise risk management & internal control frameworks, processes and infrastructure, introduced various reports and metrics to track risk limits, control breaches, P&L and position exposure, established procedures for internal audit & risk reporting and root cause analysis. Responsible for developing effective presentations on internal control & audit work programs, risk analysis and mitigation strategies while continuing to successfully execute several Financial Institutions, Oil & Gas Companies, Sovereign entities and top-tier Corporates operating in the region.
Key Accomplishments:
• Developed audit work programs, risk measurement, mitigation and monitoring models tools for clients.
• Improved operational processes for a client by identifying business level risks, data integrity weaknesses, and procedural enhancements in the company’s risk insurance reviews.
• Successfully orchestrated the development of audit working papers, audit testing programs, risk identification, assessment, measurement and control strategies and data collation for client’s risk registers.
• Documented front-to-back business processes, facilitated risk control assessment workshops and provided process improvement recommendations for a diversified finance company entering the West African market.
• Skilfully coordinated development of internal audit work plans, audit issues aggregation, risk quantification, risk insurance methodologies and development of internal control & risk matrix for various companies.
• Executed periodic Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) control self-assessment tests on client Companies’ controls and implement documentation on the system as well as propose control remedial actions as required on project.
• Participates in Internal Control Review of client companies’ processes, projects, JV and affiliates’ audit.
• Effectively conducted special investigations and drafted reports on findings and recommended solutions.
Leading Pan African diversified financial services and asset management firm servicing all major sectors of the Nigerian economy with balance sheet size of over $1b.
Risk Management Analyst / Head of Internal Audit: Initially hired to set-up and manage the risk function of the firm and quickly progressed to become Head of Internal Audit Department due to outstanding performance. Direct daily risk management operations covering financial and non-financial risks. Design and implement various risk, compliance & internal audit projects, working closely with the various functional heads and lines of business. Develop audit work programs for measuring risks and controls monitoring as well as compliance with internal and regulatory policies. Revamp the risk assessment procedures in line with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Collaborate across functions and seniority levels to implement new risk management/compliance initiatives as well as risk coverage of product expansion plans. Recruit and train staff.
Key Accomplishments:
• Pioneered the operation of the risk management as well as internal audit departments which involved design of the firm’s Risk & Compliance frameworks, AML/CFT Policies, Internal Control & Operational Manuals.
• Implemented audit methodologies and procedures for the core businesses and support / control functions.
• Implemented business continuity & disaster recovery plans, RCSA, KRIs and Risk Control Standards.
• Led the management & monitoring audit of regulatory capital positions, risk positions & limits and excesses.
• Developed and presented key operational risk & audit reports for management, colleagues and regulators.
• Proactively identified, drove and led business improvement initiatives in the firm through active participation in weekly senior management meetings, investment & strategy committee and risk committee meetings.
• Identified, assessed and managed operational, credit, market, compliance & liquidity risks in the business.
• Ensured compliance with regulatory policies and procedures by review and audit testing of major risk areas.
• Developed strong relationships internally & externally with colleagues, external auditors, regulators and key stakeholders using exceptional interpersonal skills to navigate a highly regulated & politicized environment.
Consult for a number of clients on a few projects to deliver exceptional internal control, risk management and compliance programmes. Serve as a major contributor in the design & diagnostic review of a robust risk management framework for some clients in the financial services and non-financial sectors. Support line of business managers in identification, analysis & assessment of controls, regulatory compliance procedures and operational risks. Develop and implement finance policies & risk/internal control procedures according to best practice and regulatory standards.
Key Accomplishments:
• Developed excellent and strong client and industry relationships in the energy, financial services and consumer good sectors in the area of Risk Framework design and diagnostics, advisory and risk reviews.
• Diagnosed and revamped the internal audit & operational risk management function for one of Africa’s largest banks.
• Achieved competence in strong project management, compliance/audit testing, industry research, risk analysis and teaming skills that fostered collaboration, creative thinking, commitment and accountability.
Participate actively in Audit of Corporate and Subsidiaries’ functions, Operational Risk Analysis, Breaches & Incidents Analysis, Analytical Reviews, Limits Excess Monitoring and Treasury Risk Management. Oversee continuous review of the bank’s processes to ensure they
meet regulatory as well as internal requirements of the group. Regularly monitor control environments within Head Office / Subsidiaries and involved in the integration of financial and technology audit. Train client facing and banking operations staff on Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Due Diligence procedures. Review of IT controls & IT-user related procedures for improvements.
Key Accomplishments:
• Achieved significant operational efficiencies and improved business level and financial controls by enhancing the analytical review process consisting of targeted KPI tracking, system controls and cost management.
• Earned commendation internally from management in the leading role played in the discovery and investigation of a fraud involving a principal officer of the bank - potential loss estimated at $300k.
• Completed all key internal control & audit work programs and compliance checks within schedules.
• Participated in Analytical Reviews of core banking processes, loan review, IT Controls and Accounting.
• Effectively conducted fraud investigations and drafted reports on findings and recommended solutions.
• Reported audit findings and problems through audit memos and drafted reports to affected functions or departments and recommends solution to identified problems after review by the Audit Supervisor.
• Monitored implementation status of internal audit recommendations and documented report on the system.
• Conducted spot checks such as cash counts, forex, payroll, treasury bookings, procurement inspection etc.
Participate in Audit, Control & Risk Reviews for medium-sized companies.
• Participated in the development of audit working papers, audit testing programs & audit schedules.
• Participated in Internal Audit Review of client companies’ processes, projects, and shareholder’s audit.
• Participated in company risk assessments as required by clients in their annual audit plans.
Licensed International Financial Analyst
Graduated in the Top 5% of the Class University Scholars Citation in Business, Society, and the Economy (BSE). Elected Section Senator to the Nigerian Universities Accounting Students Association. Head of Editorial Team, Echoes Magazine. Sectional Head, Rotaract Club (Rotary) – District 2004/2005 Dean’s Fellowship List/ Dean’s Prize, Best Graduating Student Prize in Elements of Financial Management 2003 National Runner-Up Prize, Nigerian Stock Exchange Universities’ Essay Competition 2001 Scholar, Federal Government of Nigeria University Scholarship (Fully Funded)
