Dr. Fidelis Akhagboso Ayebae is an entrepreneur and undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most prominent industrialists. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Fidson Healthcare Plc. – a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Nigeria.
Before his journey into pharmaceutical manufacturing, Dr. Ayebae worked different positions in various Nigerian corporations. He was a Project Manager at Metalum Limited in the 80s. He also had a 7-year stint in the banking sector – with Citibank. He rose to the position of an Assistant Vice President before leaving in 1991 to establish Ayebae Investment Limited in 1992.
In 1995, he birthed Fidson Healthcare as a local distributor of pharmaceutical products for multinationals. He thereafter led the company to relentlessly pursue its goal of becoming the leading player in the pharmaceutical landscape in West Africa. Currently, Fidson has revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria – pioneering many innovations in the industry including being the first local manufacturer of Proton Pump Inhibitor, Antiretrovirals for HIV/AIDS, Large and Small Volume Parenteral, Eye & Ear Drops and Ampoule Injections.
Dr. Fidelis Ayebae obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering at Mainland Institute of Technology in 1976 and later obtained an Advanced Diploma in Business Management from the University of Lagos in 1999. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree from Igbinedion University, Okada.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Administration (CIA) as well as the Institute of Corporate Affairs Management (FICAM). He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
He is a leading figure in the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), a former chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Group of Manufacturers of Nigeria (PMG-MAN). In addition, he is a member of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, and many others.
For his numerous contributions to the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae and Fidson Healthcare has received many awards, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, West Africa in 2011 and 2012, Pearl Awards for Most Outstanding CEO of the Year in 2012 and for Sectoral Leadership in Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals sector of the Nigerian Stock Market in 2015 and 2022 respectively. He also obtained the BusinessDay Top 25 CEO Awards in 2014 and is the first non-pharmacist to be inducted into the hall of honorary membership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in 2016.
Attesting to his proven leadership qualities, Dr. Fidelis sits on the board of several companies and was the board chairman of NEM Insurance Plc until December 2023.
He is married to Olufunmilola Ayebae, and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.
Mr. Adebayo graduated from the School of Pharmacy, University of Lagos in 1988. He also has a Diploma in Advanced Computer Techniques and Applications (1998) from the University of Ibadan (Consultancy Unit). He worked with the Federal Ministry of Health in Lagos as an intern pharmacist and later began his career with Glaxo Nigeria Plc in April 1991 as a medical representative.
Thereafter, he joined the pharmaceutical division of CAP PLC in July 1994 where he developed his skills and competencies in the sales and marketing of healthcare products and FMCGs.
He continued his career with Fidson Healthcare Plc in 1996 and held various positions in the Sales and Marketing Division and rose through the ranks to become the Sales and Marketing Manager in April 2001.
In 2004, he became the Sales and Marketing Director, a position he occupied until June 2009. He later became the Operations Director and then the Technical Director, the position he held until Nov 2022 when he was elevated to the position of the Deputy Managing Director of Fidson Healthcare PLC.
Currently, Mr. Adebayo is the Managing Director/ CEO of Fidson Healthcare Plc.
He is a financial member of the Institute of Directors (IOD), a fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and a Merit Award Winner of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch.
He has undergone a lot of Executive Management courses amongst which are: Top executive leadership programme jointly organized by Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM) and Manchester Business School in Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
He is an alumnus of the Administrative Staff College of India, Bella-Vista Hyderabad, India; Lagos Business School (CEP19), PAN-AFRICAN University, Lagos and IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona, Spain.
He has also completed all the Training modules of the African Global CEO Programme in Lagos Business School, Lagos -Nigeria, Strathmore Business School, Nairobi – Kenya and Yale School of Management, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – USA.
His professional proficiencies, shrewdness, vast insights, and result-driven attributes have made him highly sought-after within the pharmaceutical industry where he has held various positions viz:
Abiola Adebayo is a community Leader.
Mr. Emmanuel Imoagene was appointed to the Board
of Directors effective February 2011. He is the Founder and Lead Consultant of Multivaluedge Consulting Limited, a firm that is focused on working with the leadership and Board of Directors (cont’d)
management teams of largely indigenous businesses with aspirations for sustainable long-term value.
He has diverse experience spanning over three decades in several blue-chip companies including Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Unilever Ghana Limited, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, amongst others. In the course of his career, he held several senior leadership positions in human resources, logistics and procurement. He also has significant experience in corporate governance and general management practice.
Mr. Imoagene received his undergraduate degree from the University of Benin, and his graduate degree from the University of Ibadan. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
Global Health and Biopharmaceutical Research and Development. His passion and focus are in producing innovative health products for the prevention, treatment and elimination of infectious diseases for all persons who need them, particularly in resource-constrained countries, particularly in resource-constrained countries. His contributions and leadership for over 3 decades in top tier multi-national and global pharmaceutical companies have delivered numerous drugs for different disease groups, as well as vaccines and biologicals which are widely accessible.
He has served on the United States Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Emerging Infections, as Board Chair of the American Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians, Member, Nigerian Academy of Science Forum on Evidence-Based Health Policymaking, as Senior Advisor at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as Scientific Advisor to the US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, to the International Vaccine Institute of South Korea, on the GSK Ebola Vaccine Initiative, the Advisory Boards of Quality, MD, VYZR Technologies, and played key scientific roles in several other organizations.
On the Civic and Social responsibility front, Dr. Ahonkhai has served as National Chairman of the Nigerian Peoples’ Forum USA, as President, Ora-Ekpen Association, USA, and on the Board of the Association of Scientists and Physicians of African Descent.
He obtained his medical degree at the University of Lagos College of Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American
Philip Ikechi Ejiofor is a distinguished finance and business executive with over three decades of leadership experience in corporate finance, accounting, supply chain management, and strategic business transformation. His journey in finance began with a National Diploma in Business Administration from Yaba College of Technology, after which he became a Chartered Accountant (ACA, 1988) and later earned the prestigious Fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA, 1998).
Philip’s career took off in the banking and investment sector, where he gained invaluable experience in financial management and project appraisal. In 1989, he joined Michelin Nigeria Ltd as a Financial Accountant, handling accounts payable, general ledger, and financial reporting. His expertise quickly propelled him into leadership roles, and by 1990, he joined Nigerian Breweries Plc (a Heineken subsidiary), where he spent over 20 years driving financial transformation and corporate strategy.
During his tenure at Nigerian Breweries, Philip held key leadership positions, including Treasury Operations Manager, Brewery Accountant, Planning & Control Manager, and Accounting, Reporting Manager. He was instrumental in integrating SAP ERP systems, implementing IFRS reporting standards, and optimizing cost structures, leading to multimillion-dollar savings. His leadership helped shape Nigerian Breweries, financial landscape, ensuring compliance with global accounting standards and enhancing operational efficiency.
In 2012, Philip took on an international leadership role as Finance Director of Bralirwa Ltd (Heineken Rwanda), overseeing finance, ICT, tax, and insurance operations. His tenure in Rwanda was marked by several high-impact achievements, including securing a $25 million IFC long-term credit facility, resolving complex tax disputes with the Rwanda Revenue Authority, and
implementing major financial restructuring initiatives. He also played a key role in Heineken’s global auditor transition from KPMG to Deloitte, ensuring a seamless transition and regulatory compliance.
Returning to Nigeria in 2016, Philip diversified his leadership portfolio by founding Primum Investments Estate Ltd, a real estate and investment firm. He also served as a Finance Consultant to Fidson Healthcare Plc (2018-2020), where he restructured the finance department, enhanced ERP functionality, and mentored a new generation of finance leaders.
Philip’s legacy in corporate finance and business transformation is defined by strategic financial planning, regulatory expertise, and leadership excellence. His extensive experience across multinational corporations and entrepreneurial ventures positions him as a key figure in Nigeria’s business landscape.
Dr. Babatunde Kabir Ipaye is a highly accomplished public health and governance expert with over two decades of progressive experience in health policy, systems strengthening, and strategic leadership. His journey in medicine began with an outstanding academic record, graduating as the best medical student from Ogun State University in 1992. He earned five university awards, including the University Chancellor’s Prize.
His early career saw him excel in academia and healthcare, serving as a Lecturer and Consultant Physician at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, where he played a key role in training medical students and resident doctors in public health and epidemiology.
Recognizing his passion for health system reforms, he obtained a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Lagos and later became a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (Community Health).
Dr. Ipaye transitioned into public health consulting, working on World Bank-funded projects and serving as a Health Advisor to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
His expertise in health systems and financing led him to become a long-term technical advisor to Nigeria’s National Malaria Control Programme, where he played a pivotal role in securing funding from the Global Fund and designing strategic health policies.
In 2015, Dr. Ipaye was appointed as the Honourable Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, where he spearheaded significant health sector reforms. Under his leadership, Ogun State became a benchmark for healthcare development in Nigeria, achieving the lowest under-five mortality rate in the country (2018 NDHS report). He played a key role in enacting the Ogun
State Health Insurance Law, establishing the State Health Insurance Agency, and strengthening primary healthcare services across the state.
Following his tenure in public office, he founded PELTOM Global Services Ltd, a specialized consultancy firm providing technical support for public health programs, policy development, and health systems strengthening. He has since led major national and international health projects, including the development of Nigeria’s National Malaria Strategic Plan (2021-2025), the CHIPS Programme Strategic Plan (2023-2027), and several Global Fund grant applications,
all of which were successfully funded.
Dr. Ipaye’s experience spans Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia, South Africa, Uganda, Ghana, and the USA, where he has provided high-level technical advisory services. His work continues to shape healthcare policies and improve health outcomes across Africa.
A Pharmacist educated at Nigeria’s premier University- the University of lbadan and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He has pursued a career in the pharmaceutical industry since graduation with Fidson Healthcare Plc.
He has worked across diverse functions (Sales and Marketing, Business development, Manufacturing, Research and Development and Operations) in the company since inception and has been pivotal in determining her policy direction, strategy execution and has managed organizational change and transformation over the period.
As Sales and Marketing Director, he leads a team of over 200 salesmen and has the responsibility to formulate and implement the company’s sales and marketing strategies. By 2021, he became the Strategy and Marketing Director, a position he held
An exciting person to have on a team, he is committed to team building and development of leadership skills and ability which he believes is the critical requirement for organizational growth and corporate success.
As a community leader, he managed to change in his neighbourhood association with attendant positive results and commendation. He also plays leadership role in his local church and is committed to the propagation of his Christian faith.
Mr. Ijimakin joined the organization (Fidson Healthcare Ltd) in July
2002 as Regional Manager in the North-eastern region.
He graduated from the University of Jos in 1994 where he was awarded a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree. He won the prize for the best graduating student in Pharmacy among other prestigious awards.
He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Business School Netherlands, Buren (2014) where he finished with distinction.
Mr. Ola is a seasoned professional who has grown through the ranks over the years. He served as Group Marketing Manager from May 2005 to December 2006; General Manager, Marketing from April 2011 to May 2016 and General Manager, Sales and Marketing from May 2016 to December 2020. He was appointed the Commercial Director in January 2021.
He is vastly experienced, having served in large corporations both at home and abroad. He is a fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.
Imokha is a commercially astute finance professional with over 15 years of experience in finance & accounting, corporate finance, and management consulting. His areas of specialization include financial strategy and control, tax, and treasury management, as well as accounting and reporting.
He joined Fidson Healthcare Plc. in 2013 as the Corporate Finance and Treasury Manager and served on the Company’s Management team as Head, Finance, and Accounts for over 4 years prior to his appointment to the Board. His experience has been valuable in Fidson raising circa ₦25 billion for expansion projects, debt restructuring and working capital funding, which resulted in revenue increase of 25% CAGR and 130% growth in Shareholders’ funds over the last 4 years.
Prior to joining Fidson, Imokha worked at FBN Capital Ltd (now FBN Quest) where he managed several cross-border mergers & acquisitions as a key member of the Financial Advisory team within the firm’s Investment Banking Division. He started his working career in management consultancy with Mouchel Consulting (now WSP Global) in the United Kingdom.
Imokha holds an M.Sc. in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick & B.Eng. in Electronic Systems Engineering from the University of Manchester. He is also an alumnus of The Emerging CFO Program of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Imokha is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Institute of Directors Nigeria.
Oshoke joined Fidson Healthcare Plc as Deputy Business Development Manager for the former Herbal Unit where he was responsible for the sales and revenue of the organization’s herbal products. He was later promoted to Head of Business Development in the organization, the department which is responsible for Business Development, Product Development,
Management and Research, and Customer Relations. Before his recent appointment as the Business Development and Marketing Director, He was the General Manager, Business Development and Strategy.
In this role, Oshoke launched over 40 new profitable products within the first 5 years and rebranded over 80% of Fidson’s product portfolio within the same period for better shelf presence and brand acceptance. He drove the formation and establishment of the Aventra Provision Business Unit, Fidson’s Ophthalmic business.
Oshoke was pivotal in the introduction of HELP Products (Health Essentials at Low Prices) through product design and market evaluation which provided an inroad for the company in the market, with competitive products at affordable prices.
Oshoke earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Combined Studies (Marketing and Business Management) as well as an MSc in Project Management from the University of Warwick.
He considers himself a creative person, leveraging this strength in managing projects from the conceptual stage to successful implementation.
