Picnews
At 55, Olakunle Aderinokun stands as a compelling example of how a person’s strong work ethic and public trust can converge to shape institutional excellence. As Head of Media and Public Relations at Access Holdings Plc, Aderinokun has, in a relatively short time, emerged as one of the steady hands guiding the corporate voice of one of Africa’s most visible financial institutions, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
His appointment in 2024 came at a defining moment for the institution, requiring not just technical expertise, but emotional intelligence and strategic depth. Aderinokun brought both in abundance.
With a professional journey that spans banking, investment analysis, and over two decades in journalism including leadership roles at THISDAY and ARISE News, he arrived with a brilliant understanding of the media ecosystem. This strength has proven invaluable in shaping how Access Holdings communicates its vision, resilience, and market leadership.
Yet, beyond the strategy documents and press briefings lies a leader whose greatest asset may well be his people-first approach. Within his media team, Aderinokun is known for fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism, and collaboration. He leads without noise, preferring influence over authority, which is an approach that has strengthened internal cohesion and elevated output quality. Equally noteworthy is his ability to work seamlessly with Access Holdings’ top echelon, especially his leader, the athletic and exceptional Group Head of Communications, Mr. Amaechi Michael Okobi. His collaborative spirit has ensured that messaging remains consistent and impactful.
Recently, under the inspiration and impetus of the Group Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and the direct leadership of Mr. Amaechi Michael Okobi, and he was able to secure a high impact special publication in the Financial Times UK. This included a standout publication featuring an Access Holdings’ Corporate centrespread and a full page advert for Access Bank UK. The publication went live perfectly timed for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s landmark State Visit to the United Kingdom in March 2026.
Beyond the Access Holdings PLC family, his most defining trait is perhaps his relationship with members of the Fourth Estate of the realm. Having risen through the ranks of journalism himself, he maintains a solid relationship with reporters, editors, online security publishers, broadcasters, and other media professionals. For him, maintaining an open-door policy is not a cliché but a core aspect of his day-to-day work. Media professionals across Nigeria’s newsrooms attest to his accessibility, fairness, and respect for the craft.
Further, the member of many professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB), Aderinokun has demonstrated that communication, at its highest level, is both an art and a science, as he effectively combines his analytical mind from a Mathematics degree at the University of Ilorin, with his administrative capacity from an MBA at the University of Lagos,
As he marks his 55th birthday today, April 20, Olakunle is celebrating years of impact and not just years on a calendar. Aderinokun has shown that credibility and consistency are character traits desired by everyone to climb the corporate ladder.
From all of us at the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, we say, happy beautiful Birthday Sir, Mr. Olakunle Aderinokun.
-
e-signed:
Mayor Oki O. Samson
National President, NAOSNP.
Happy birthday, Olakunle Aderinokun!
