Ade Adefeko Sets Record as Botswana’s First-ever Honorary Consul to Nigeria
Ade Adefeko, the recently appointed honorary consul to Nigeria by Lemogang Kwape, the minister of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Botswana is our MCM. Following his appointment, Ade Adefeko becomes the first person in Nigeria’s history to be appointed Botswana’s honorary consul to Nigeria. By the power of his office and the backing of the government of Botswana, Ade Adefeko is expected to promote the commercial interest of both Nigeria and Botswana.
Ade Adefeko’s 31-year professional career spans diverse sectors of global economies including Health, Agriculture, Communications, Trade, FMCG, Banking, Investment, and most recently, International Diplomacy. Asides his broad corporate reach, Adefeko has a broad knowledge of 10 different languages, both local and international. He has a vast command of French, Portuguese, German, and Spanish. He also speaks Swahili, Zulu and Ndebele, which are common in East and Southern Africa. Beyond foreign space, Adefeko speaks the three major indigenous languages in Nigeria – Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
Adefeko obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign languages from the University of Port Harcourt in 1990.
Adefeko started lecturing at Alliance Francaise, where he helped several diplomats develop more interest in international languages, especially French. He later left lecturing for the Oil and Gas industry before taking up an interest in the British American Tobacco.
Adefeko had an interesting experience working in the banking sector. He worked in several banks as core banker, rising fast to take up a leadership position as Head of Corporate Communications at the Societe General Bank (SGBN).
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With a proven track record in communication and brand promotion, Adefeko further worked as Public Affairs Director at Multichoice, owners of DSTV, where he played key roles in policy advocacy. In 2011, he went ahead to join Olam Nigeria, the largest Agri-business and food company in Nigeria as Head of Communications and Government Relations, making significant contributions to the development of the company. In recognition of his dedication to his job, Adefeko was promoted to become Vice-President of Corporate and Government Relations in the company.
Amidst his numerous career developments, Adefeko runs a weekly column on BusinesssDay Newspaper titled ‘Conversation with Ade Adefeko’. He also writes on the Cable, the sports section of THISDAY Newspaper, and previously analyzed football game on Super Sports.
Adefeko is currently the Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Agricultural Trade Group, and the Vice-Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Group (MANEG). He is a member of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry – LCCI Export Group, and a member of the Industrial and Competitiveness President Advisory Council.
Adefeko was recently appointed as non-executive Director of MobiHealth, a UK based telemedicine and digital healthcare company. He also sits on the board of SYNERGOS, Nigeria’s state partnership for agriculture.
Ade Adefeko is a visionary leader whose lifelong ambition has been to contribute to humanity and to the development of mankind through his various areas of influence.
Congratulations Ade Adefeko, we wish you continuous success.