Mr Olayemi Cardoso, the former chairman of Citibank Nigeria, is a distinguished leader in the financial and development sectors with over 30 years’ experience in the private, public and not-for-profit organisations. With diverse corporate governance experience, Mr Cardoso has also sat on the boards of Nigerian subsidiaries of Texaco and Chevron and chaired the board of EFInA, a financial sector development organisation supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.
Mr Cardoso served in government as the first Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget for Lagos State, where he championed the financial reform process which led to the state’s development of independent tax revenues.
In his capacity as a consultant and policy expert, Yemi has advised and collaborated with major international development organisations including the World Bank, Ford Foundation, UN Habitat, World Health Organization and the Swedish Development Foundation.
Mr Cardoso started his banking career with Citibank where he eventually rose to the position of Vice President leaving to co-found Citizens International Bank where he was an Executive Director for eight years
He is the recipient of several awards including an honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from Aston University, his alma mater, and the Global Distinguished Alumni award from Citi.
Mr Cardoso obtained a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School where he was a Mason Fellow.