Omilola Oshikoya: Making financial literacy easy raquo; The Guardian Nigeria

Everything about Omilola speaks of depth, awareness, deep-rooted knowledge and a certainty grounded in faith. There is nothing wishy-washy or contrived about her as she shares her experience as Africa’s Premier Wealth Coach. kabulpress.org She chats with Francesca Uriri on what made her start her business, why Find out more information here yohaig.ng women are taking charge of their financial futures, and why it’s absolutely okay to "do it afraid." Enjoy!

In your own words, give a brief introduction to who Omilola Oshikoya is? Omilola Oshikoya is Africa’s premier wealth coach with over 12 years’ experience in finance/investment banking. A columnist for the second most widely read newspaper in Nigeria and the creator of PocketFinance, a blog focused on providing information on personal finance &amp; business for entrepreneurs. Omilola is the founder of Omilola Oshikoya International, a life and finance coaching company. She is also a co-host for a talk show which airs in 44 African Countries including the United Kingdom and is responsible for media and publications at Guiding Light Assembly. Omilola is an ordained youth minister and is happily married to John Olugbenga Oshikoya and they are blessed with three amazing children. How did it start for you? Have you always wanted to do finance and investment? Growing up we had financial challenges and I knew I didn’t want to go through the same challenges as an adult. There was an aunt of mine who was ‘rich’. She drove a nice sports car, had a nice flat in an expensive neighbourhood and she worked in a bank. I wanted to be ‘rich’ like her so I decided I was going to work in a bank. When I got to senior secondary school and we had to choose classes, I chose the commercial class and then in A-levels I did Business, Economics and Accounting and when I got to University I studied Accounting and Finance. A year after university, I moved back to Nigeria and got a job as an auditor in Deloitte. After about three years. I was bored and realised I didn’t want to spend my life as an auditor, auditing other people’s money. I wanted to do something challenging and interesting and then I resigned and got a job as an investment banker. What would you say are the requirements for young women who want to have careers like yours? First of all, you have to be called. You have to have vision and be passionate about what you do. In terms of competence I have a background in accounting, finance and investment banking. I am also a UK certified life coach. I also have circa 12 years work experience in some of the best companies in Nigeria. I am a stickler for personal development. What is your take on role models and mentoring? Is useful, and is it something you would recommend? I have different mentors for different aspects of my life. My husband is my principle mentor as he is very principled and he is a man of integrity. uidaho.edu My cousin Fade Aluko and my Pastor Wale Adefarasin are my spiritual mentors, my friend Wunmi Williams is my dream mentor (she dreams big), my mum Foluso Aboderin and my prayer partner Tola Akitoye are my work mentors as they have very good work ethics, Professor Jumoke Oduwole is my parenting mentor ( I really like her parenting style), my brother Mayode Aboderin is my prayer mentor as He can pray for Nigeria lol, and Lanre Olusola is my coach mentor. I also have mentors that I do not have personal relationships with. I read their books, follow their social media platforms and learn from their resources. After all is said and done, it is important not to IDOLISE a mentor.