Name: Seye Kosoko
Position: Company Secretary
Company: FBN Holdings Plc
Sector: (financial, govt, energy etc) Financial services
Worked in current position for (number of years/months): 3 years/3 months
Years in-house: Since 1991 (apart from 2004-2011)
An overview of my role is: Corporate governance, legal and regulatory oversight for the Group holding company; the arrangement of Board and Annual General meetings; general management and strategy direction and support for subsidiary companies; mergers and acquisitions advisory, coaching and mentoring, amongst others.
The best thing about my current job is: The range of issues covered – the variety ensures that there is no dull moment.
The most challenging thing about my current job is: Managing and balancing the various stakeholders; anticipating and positioning for the disruptions in the operating environment.
My most pivotal career move: Joining Citibank (Nigeria International Bank) as Asst. Company Secretary/Legal Adviser in 1991, from Price Waterhouse. My 10 and half years in Citibank was the most influential in my professional career, including pioneering Compliance in the country.
Hardest lesson I have learned as a lawyer: I would say more like the most enduring lesson I have learned. Never let ego get in the way of any matter or negotiation: whenever ego gets into any matter, reason is the first out.
What advice would you give your younger self? Go hard after your dreams; Hold fast to God. Take the current when it serves.
“There is a tide in the affairs of men.
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.”
(Brutus, Julius Caesar – Acts 4, Scene 3)
Who are the key influencers that have shaped you along the way? Professor A.B. Kasunmu, SAN and Yemi Adeola professionally; Late Pastor Eskor Mfon spiritually and My Dad, M.O. Kosoko, for the foundation, character-building and being a great role model.
My favourite pro bono or volunteer activity is: Teaching, Mentoring.
The worst job I ever held was: None! Each one of my jobs has been a very rich experience. I’ve enjoyed every work experience.
Most valuable life lesson that I still apply today is:
“Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
C.T Studd – Only One Life
I achieve work-life balance by: Listening to music, reading, church activities, travelling and meeting people, mentoring.
If I were not practicing law, I would probably be: a Jazz musician or a teacher. I love teaching.
I’m currently reading: The Future of Finance After Covid – Technology and Trends Disrupting the Post-Pandemic Financial World by Jason Schenker
My current music playlist includes:
- Olorun Agbaye – Nathaniel Bassey ft. Chandler Moore, OBA
- Goodness of God/La Bondad de Dios – Blanca
- Take Five – Dave Brubeck Quartet
- My Favorite Things – John Coltrane
- Now’s The Time – Charlie Parker
- Duduke – Simi
- Jerusalema Remix– Master KG ft. Burna Boy, Nomcebo
- Oye com ova – Tito Puente
- Palm Strings – Marc Antoine
- Osondi Owendi – Stephen Osita Osadebe