Bio

Dr. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale is a distinguished, multi-award-winning legal practitioner and recognised thought leader in regulation, compliance, corporate governance and sustainability with over 20 years of experience in legal, compliance, regulatory, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives.

Dr. Robinson-Ayanwale leads transformative initiatives across Africa’s financial, regulatory, and legal sectors, helping organisations integrate ESG principles into their strategies and operations. With a career spanning corporate law, capital markets, financial technology, and the FMCG sector, she is a trusted expert in regulatory compliance, providing critical insights to organisations navigating complex legal landscapes.

She has spearheaded groundbreaking sustainability programs, notably as the former Divisional Head of Business Support Services and General Counsel at the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). Under her leadership, NGX became the first securities exchange globally to achieve EDGE (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality) Certification. She also served as Executive Sponsor of the IFC/NGX Nigeria2Equal program, driving gender equality in the private sector. Her expertise extends to governance, risk, and compliance, having played a pivotal role in strengthening governance frameworks, optimising operational processes, and advocating for legislative reforms that support economic growth and corporate governance.

She has held key leadership positions, including serving as a Member of the Executive Committee of Management and Trustee of the Investor Protection Fund at NGX, Chairperson of the Legal Committee of the African Exchanges Linkage Project, and Co-Chair of the Nigerian Coalition of Services Industries. She was recognised as one of the World Federation of Exchanges’ Women Leaders of 2022 and was named General Counsel of the Year at the 2021 and 2022 Esq Nigerian Legal Awards.

Currently, she serves as Group Head of Audit, Compliance, and Risk at OmniRetail Technology Ltd, Africa’s fastest-growing company in 2024, as ranked by the Financial Times. In this role, she oversees legal, ESG, revenue assurance, audit, risk, and compliance functions, driving progress for trade value chain stakeholders across three African countries.

As the founder of TheLegalESG Collective, she supports startups in building sustainable legal, regulatory, corporate governance, tax, and HR frameworks to enhance compliance and create lasting impact. She also founded The Jesus Factor Talent Show and The Jesus Factor Summer Camp, initiatives dedicated to nurturing talent and personal development among children, teens, youth, and adults, fostering discipline, ambition, and career growth.

A sought-after trainer and mentor, Dr. Robinson-Ayanwale provides expert guidance on legal, regulatory, compliance, ESG, and corporate governance matters. She empowers boards and professionals to adopt sustainable business practices in an evolving global market.