HRPM Awards – 8th EDITION – HR People Magazine

Young HR Talent of the Year 2023

Ibukun Balogun HR Business Partner,

IHS Towers, Nigeria

with a solid foundation of three years of experience, my journey has led me to a pivotal role as an
HR Business Partner (HRBP) at IHS, where I have honed my skills, embraced challenges, and made a
positive impact. Over the course of three enriching years, I have delved deep into the world of HR,
culminating in a transformative experience at IHS for the past 11 months. In the last 6 months, I
have had the privilege of serving as an HRBP for the Ibadan Region, which has empowered me to take on a
more strategic and influential role within the organization.

My journey has revealed a rich tapestry of strengths that define my approach to HR processes. My innate adaptability ensures I thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining professional and friendly relationships, and my ability for quick, direct thinking enables me to make informed decisions under pressure. My articulate communication style and adept conflict resolution skills foster harmonious
relationships, while my passion for people-centric initiatives fuels mycommitmentto driving
positive change.

My journey through the HR sector has been a dynamic evolution, marked by significant milestones
that have shaped my professional identity. From my beginnings as a graduate intern at Rovedana
Limited, I progressed to the role of a People’s Operation Associate in Rovedana, where I honed my
skills in understanding human potential within an organizational context. Subsequently, as an
Analyst HR Support in IHS, I delved deeper into the complex mechanisms of HR, contributing to the
seamless functioning of the department. This path of growth led me to my current role as an HR
Business Partner (HRBP), where I hold a strategic role in shaping organizational success through my
diverse skill set. Alongside my career path, I have also pursued academic enrichment. Currently
undertaking a Master’s programme in International Human Resources, this academic journey has
allowed me to dive deep into a world of valuable knowledge and contributed to guiding my career.
The culmination of my three-year journey in HR, highlights my strong interest, improved abilities,
and endless potential as a young HR professional. As I continue to embrace opportunities and
challenges, I am committed to nurturing growth, fostering innovation, and contributing to the
evolving landscape of HR. This nomination is an affirmation of my commitment and an invitation to
join hands in shaping

HR Leader of the Year 2023

Wole Odubayo, HR Directory Cadbury Nigeria PLC

Cadbury

Wole Odubayo is a Human Resources Expert and Business Manager. He is a senior HR Director looking after people strategy. Builds and sustains strong HR structures, linking business decisions with people strategies and HR programs, and positioning organizations for success by leveraging on their most vital resource-the people.

A highly skilled and result-driven HR Leader and a Business Strategist with vast experience in managing organizational change, transformation, HR strategy formulation, execution, HR Business

Partner modelling, Performance Management, Industrial/Employee Relations, Business Process Systems, change management, Customer Service, HR Operations, Leadership, Talent Management, and process improvement to achieve excellence.

He is a great relationship builder between employees and employers. A skilled negotiator, coach, and mentor with the ability to influence and create value within all levels of the organization. His major achievements were delivered through strategic thinking competence, strong interpersonal and coaching skills, holding himself and others accountable to high performance standards and effective team leadership.

HR Champion of the Year 2023

Mitchell Elegbe, Founder/Group Managing Director

Interswitch

Mitchell Elegbe is the Founder/ Group Managing Director and a member of the board of directors at Interswitch, a business he conceptualized and has led since 2002 when the company went into operation. Under his leadership, Interswitch has remarkably diversified its business, broadened distribution channels and expanded into new markets across Africa, driving revolutionary payment innovation and social impact and delivering strong growth in revenue and profits (recognized by Deloitte in 2014 as ‘Africa’s fastest growing technology business’).

Mitchell is an Electrical/Electronic Engineering graduate from the University of Benin, Nigeria and also an alumnus of the IESE/Wharton/CEIBS Global CEO Programme. He is a consummate people-centric leader who believes in motivating his colleagues at Interswitch to have confidence in their value as individuals; in the value of the work they do; and in their value as team members, whilst being relentless in his pursuit of sustainable value for stakeholders.

Apart from leading Interswitch to win numerous coveted industry awards, Mitchell’s leadership abilities have earned him several awards, including the CNBC/Forbes All African Business Leader (AABLA) for West Africa in 2012, the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the International Finance Corporation’s Inclusive Business Leader Award and the acclaimed African Leadership Network (ALN) 2013

A Bishop Desmond Tutu fellow of the African Leadership Institute, he enjoys actively mentoring young entrepreneurs, a passion he finds expression for as a member of the board of Endeavor Nigeria.

HR Person of the Year 2023

Esther Akinnukawe - Chief Human Resources Officer

MTN Nigeria PLC