The Nigerian HR space is brimming with talented individuals who are shaping the future of work.
These professionals are not only responsible for talent acquisition and management, but also for cultivating and nurturing positive work cultures and driving employee engagement.
In this article, we recognize 11 notable HR professionals in Nigeria (in no particular order), who are making significant impact in their sphere of influence, and across various industries.
NOTABLE HR PROFESSIONALS IN NIGERIA
Emmanuel Michael
Emmanuel Michael is one of the top HR professionals in Nigeria. His career trajectory reflects a dedication to both human resources expertise and broader business leadership.
His extensive experience across various industries, with over 17 years focused on HR management, positions him as a well-rounded professional.
He is the current Head of People & Culture at Letshego Nigeria. The depth of his knowledge is further bolstered by his international certifications (SPHRi®, MCIPM).
Michael actively participates in mentoring initiatives through organizations like The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and FATE Foundation, demonstrating a commitment to nurture the next generation of HR leaders in Nigeria.
His recognition on various “influencer” lists by organizations like the World HRD Congress highlights his growing reputation as a thought leader within the global HR community.
Michael shares insights and engages in discussions on HR trends and practices on his social media platforms, which has a cumulative following of over 450,000.
Connect with Michael on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Yemi Faseun
Yemi Faseun has a 30-year background across multiple sectors. Currently serving as a Chief Talent Officer, he directly influences talent management and business transformation strategies.
Yemi emphasizes the need for evolving HR approaches in the modern workplace. He is known for initiating thought-provoking discussions that challenge traditional models.
His focus on “end-to-end people management, culture and leadership initiatives” suggests a strategic emphasis on the interconnectedness of these elements in building successful organizations.
Beyond direct client work, Yemi demonstrates a commitment to shaping the HR profession in Nigeria. He has served a two-term elected position on the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) council.
Yemi founded The YF Network (TYFN), a forum connecting professionals and entrepreneurs, and The YF Academy (TYFA) focused on career development.
He also holds mentorship positions at Nexford University and faculty roles at Lagos Business School and Rome Business School Nigeria.
He shares his thoughts on social media to his over 179,000 followers.
You can connect with Yemi on LinkedIn and on Twitter
Lara Yeku
Lara emphasizes her strengths in relationship building and analytical thinking. Terms like “relator,” “includer,” and “strategic thinker” highlight her ability to combine interpersonal skills with strategic planning.
This blend allows her to approach HR challenges from a comprehensive perspective.
She is the current Head of HR, Food Commercial Division, at Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc. Her expertise spans a wide range of HR functions, including talent management, organizational design, and performance management.
She also possesses a strong foundation in HR data analytics, a valuable tool in today’s data-driven HR environment.
As one of the top HR professionals in Nigeria, Lara has certifications from prestigious institutions like Cornell University and Yale School of Management.
Furthermore, Lara is certified as an executive coach. By combining her HR knowledge with coaching skills, she empowers professionals to identify their strengths and maximize their potential.
Connect with Lara on LinkedIn and Twitter, where she boasts over 340,000 followers.
Wale Adediran
Wale Adediran’s 30-year career journey began with a foundation in engineering, encompassing various areas like manufacturing operations, reliability, and project management.
This experience equips him with a unique understanding of the technical aspects of businesses, a valuable asset in the HR world.
Building upon his engineering expertise, Wale transitioned into human resources, demonstrating a commitment to organizational excellence.
Over the past 16 years, he has held prominent executive HR roles, serving as a key member of leadership teams at both national and regional levels.
Wale has held leadership roles within the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), serving as a two-term Vice President, culminating in a two-term presidency.
Connect with Wale on LinkedIn and Twitter
Gift Ebi
Gift Ebi’s background positions her as a well-rounded talent acquisition professional with a focus on innovative strategies and a strong understanding of client needs.
Her expertise spans across both agency and corporate environments, demonstrating her ability to adapt to various recruitment contexts.
She currently serves as the Regional Talent Sourcing Lead, at Nestlé. Gift boasts a proficiency in identifying top talent through targeted social media platforms.
This skill, combined with her ability to utilize “unconventional recruitment techniques,” suggests a resourceful and creative approach to talent acquisition.
Beyond technical skills, Gift is experienced in “sourcing, establishing and maintaining relationships”, also as a Learning and Development professional.
Connect with Gift Ebi on LinkedIn
Adora Ikwuemesi
As the founder of Kendor Consulting, Adora spearheads a consulting firm specializing in learning and organizational development solutions.
This focus on training and development reflects her belief in nurturing the potential of both employees and organizations.
She is the author of the self-help book “Change Your Career.”
Adora has certifications as a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) and a career coach. She has an ongoing doctoral research on engagement in remote work.
She has led successful HR transformation projects, including a World Bank-funded initiative and a staff audit that resulted in cost reduction.
Adora founded and hosts the annual HR Bootcamp Conference, a platform that encourages dialogue on innovative people management practices.
She is also a trusted advisor to leadership teams, bringing valuable insights that propel organizations towards strategic objectives.
Join her over 72,000 followers on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Glory Edozien
Glory Edozien carves a distinct niche within Nigerian HR by focusing on empowering female executives to achieve their full potential.
She recognizes the challenges women face in articulating their value and navigating paths towards board positions and thought leadership, and her company addresses these issues by equipping women with the tools and strategies needed to succeed.
Glory’s signature offering, the “LinkedIn Visibility Training Programme,” exemplifies her approach.
By coaching women on building their online presence, she empowers them to showcase their expertise and gain recognition within their fields.
Her success stories are evident in her client list, which includes prominent Nigerian organizations like AIICO Insurance and Access Bank.
Glory also works with organizations, helping them develop strategies for attracting women as clients. This focus on building female communities highlights her commitment to broader societal impact.
Glory was recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice for Africa in 2022 and has been featured in prominent media outlets. She is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council.
Connect with Glory on LinkedIn and Twitter.
David Ayodeji
David Ayodeji is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of experience across diverse industries, currently serving as the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at FastaMoni Technologies.
He also plays a vital role in shaping the company’s culture as its Chief Culture Officer.
His ability to manage complex projects and deliver results is evidenced by his work at Jobberman, where he spearheaded marketing efforts encompassing events, partnerships, and new media strategies.
He has been a recipient of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Grant, and won the First MTN Yello Care Pitch-A-Thon in 2023, demonstrating his commitment to innovation and social impact.
David has a cumulative social media following of over 80,000.
Connect with David on LinkedIn and Twitter
Thelma Ibeh
Thelma stands out as a passionate HR specialist dedicated to building effective and efficient workforces. She reportedly has a successful placement of over 5000 long-serving employees!
Thelma assists companies in strategically planning their talent needs, designs competitive compensation packages and benefits structures to attract and retain top talent,
optimizes new hire onboarding processes, and guides companies in developing effective training and development programs for their employees.
She has been recognized as one of the Top 40 HR professionals in Nigeria and has won several HR awards.
Thelma actively volunteers with NGOs and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), driven by a belief that circumstance can significantly impact one’s life path.
She has garnered a following of over 135,000.
Connect with Thelma on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Taiwo ‘Dayo-Abatan
Taiwo ‘Dayo-Abatan exemplifies the multifaceted role of today’s HR professional.
As the Regional Head HR for VFS Global in Sub-Saharan Africa, her expertise spans across strategic planning, leadership development, and driving positive change within the organization.
With over 20 years of experience, she has a proven track record of guiding diverse workforces across various industries, encouraging a strong understanding of the unique needs and challenges of a multinational environment.
Beyond her core HR responsibilities, Taiwo is a passionate advocate for people development.
She is a certified career coach and actively mentors future HR leaders. Her commitment extends to building a strong company culture.
This is evidenced by her focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives and leveraging her understanding of racial, cultural, and religious diversities.
This well-rounded approach positions Taiwo as a key asset in today’s dynamic HR environment, and one of the top HR professionals in Nigeria.
Little wonder she has garnered over 90,000 social media followers.
Connect with Taiwo on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Samuel Akinlotan
Samuel Akinlotan is a highly regarded talent management professional in Nigeria, known for his international certifications and experience.
Across various sectors including Big 4 Consulting, FMCG, Retail, Hospitality, Banking, and more, Samuel has designed and implemented people-centric HR solutions.
His expertise spans talent acquisition and development, technical and diversity recruiting, employer branding, competency management, HR policy, and organizational development.
Beyond his technical skills, Samuel is a passionate advocate for talent development, diversity & inclusion, and tackling contemporary workplace challenges.
He actively bridges the knowledge and skill gap between education and employment in Nigeria through leadership and volunteer work.
Recognized as a top 150 Global HR influencer and among the top 10 HR professionals in Nigeria, Samuel is also a sought-after speaker who enjoys sharing his knowledge.
His certifications include memberships with the Human Resource Certification Institute, CIPD UK, Talent Management Institute, and the Global Institute of Organisational Development Professionals.
Join Samuel’s over 29,000 followers and connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Related: How To Become a Technical Recruiter
Notable HR Professionals In Nigeria: Conclusion
The stories presented here paint a clear picture: Nigeria’s leading HR professionals are not just skilled practitioners, but also passionate advocates for building strong, adaptable workforces.
This is just a starting point; this list is not exhaustive as there are many other exceptional HR professionals in Nigeria who deserve recognition.
However, we believe that by highlighting these leaders, we can inspire future generations of HR talent and showcase the important role HR plays in building successful organizations.