ACCOMPLISH MAGAZINE APRIL 2024

entered their consciousness
through Burna Boy's track
"Wonderful," released in 2020
as part of his Grammywinning
album "Twice As Tall."
In one verse, Burna Boy sings,
"As I hustle like Adebayo
Ogunlesi (No go talk say me I
too lazy)," prompting curiosity
among listeners to learn more
about this influential figure.
Fast forward to today, Ogunlesi
garners attention once again
for a commendable milestone:
the acquisition of Global
Infrastructure Partners (GIP),
the private equity firm he
founded and chairs, by
BlackRock Inc., the world’s
largest asset manager
according to Bloomberg, for a
staggering $12.5 billion.
As per Reuters, BlackRock,
currently overseeing $10 trillion
across global markets, will fork
out $3 billion in cash and 12
million BlackRock shares
(equivalent to around $9.5
billion) to GIP, which presently
manages assets exceeding
$100 billion. This landmark deal
not only cements his position
but also sees him joining
BlackRock’s board and global
executive committee, as
reported by Bloomberg.
Susan Olorunfemi Peters, contributed
to his education as a tutor at CMS
Girls’ School in Lagos. His upbringing
was steeped in Christian principles.
Adebayo Ogunlesi pursued his
education at esteemed institutions,
including Harvard Law School,
Harvard Business School, and King’s
College, London. His academic
journey culminated in his graduation
from Lincoln College, Oxford, United
Kingdom.
Family
Hailing from Sagamu, Ogun State,
South West Nigeria, Ogunlesi is the son
of the pioneering Prof. Theophilus O.
Ogunlesi. In 1985, he tied the knot with
Dr. Amelia Quist-Ogunlesi, a Britishborn
optometrist who relocated to
the United Ststes after establishing
her practice in London. Their union is
blessed with two children: Geoffrey
Ogunlesi, a music executive, and Carl
Ogunlesi, a music producer.
Education
Ogunlesi's academic prowess shone
as he secured a first-class Philosophy,
Politics, and Economics degree from
Oxford University after attending
King’s College, Lagos. Subsequently,
he pursued a JD-MBA from Harvard
Law School and Harvard Business
School in 1979.
Career
During his studies, Ogunlesi ventured
into Corporate Law with the New York
City firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore.
Following this, he served as a law clerk
to Associate Justice Thurgood
Marshall of the U.S. Supreme Court
from 1980 to 1981.
DIASPORA AFRICAN
Columbia Bar Association. While
working at Credit Suisse First Boston,
he was a lecturer at Harvard Law
School and the Yale School of
Management, where he taught a
course on Transnational Investment
Projects in Emerging Countries. In
October 2012, Ogunlesi was appointed
to the Board of Directors at Goldman
Sachs. On July 24, 2014, he was named
Lead Director. In December 2016, it
was announced that Ogunlesi,
among other business leaders, would
be part of Donald Trump’s Strategic
and Policy Forum, which was
disbanded on Aug 16, 2017.
Membership Recognitions
Harvard Business School:
Member, Board of Dean’s Advisors;
Harvard Law School: Member,
Leadership Council of New York;
Harvard University: Member,
Global Advisory Council;
NAACP Legal Defence and
Educational Fund: Member,
National Board of Directors;
New York–Presbyterian Hospital:
Member, Board of Trusteess;
Partnership for New York City
Fund: Member, Board of Directors;
King’s College Old Boys
Association: Member.
Early Years & Education
Born on December 20, 1953, in Makun,
Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria,
Adebayo Ogunlesi is a luminary in Law
and Investment Banking, rooted in the
rich heritage of Yoruba culture. His
family boasts remarkable individuals,
including Folasade Ogunlesi, a
distinguished pediatric pulmonologist
in Washington DC; Lanre Ogunlesi, the
visionary behind Skin Beauty
Cosmetics; Kayode Ogunlesi, cofounder
of Skin Beauty Cosmetics;
and Adegbola Ogunlesi, an
industrialist and co-founder of the
men’s fashion label, Sofisticat.
His father, Prof. Theophilus O. Ogunlesi,
etched his name in history as Nigeria’s
first professor of Medicine at the
University of Ibadan, Oyo State,
Nigeria. At the same time, his mother,
In 1983, he delved into project finance
at First Boston, advising on global
transactions. His tenure at Credit
Suisse saw him ascend to roles like
Head of the Global Energy Group and
Global Head of the Investment
Banking Division.
In 2006, he founded GIP, focusing on
infrastructure investments worldwide.
Under his stewardship, GIP acquired
significant assets like London City
Airport, London Gatwick Airport,
Edinburgh Airport, and Nuovo
Trasporto Viaggiatori. His stint at
Goldman Sachs commenced in 2012,
where he served as director before
assuming the position of lead director
in 2014.
Noteworthy Acquisitions
Ogunlesi is a member of the District of
HARRY CHOMS
AUTHOR’S BIO
Harry Choms is a freelance writer
with a passion for words and a
keen eye for details, an editor, and
an avid tech believer. His works
can be seen on EntrepreneurNG.
com, Imautomator, Secureblitz,
Withinnigeria, Feelgospel,
Kemifilani, and Glamsquad
Magazine. He is the Webmaster
and sole owner of Matrismart.com
and biowiki.com.ng.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
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