First HoldCo Plc has announced the appointment of Mrs. Abiola Baruwa as its new Group Company Secretary, effective November 7, 2025.
She will succeed Mr. Adewale L.O. Arogundade, who is retiring after 35 years of service with the First HoldCo Group.
The appointment, approved by the Board and disclosed in line with Nigerian Exchange Limited’s (NGX) Rulebook, marks a key leadership transition for the Group.
Mrs. Baruwa brings over 20 years of legal and corporate governance experience across the energy and financial services sectors.
She began her career at Olaniwun Ajayi & Co LP in 2004 and later worked with G.M.O. Legal Practitioners.
In 2006, she joined Sahara Energy Limited as Legal Services Supervisor before moving into banking with Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank) where she served as Legal Services Officer from 2008 to 2012.
She later joined FBNQuest Merchant Bank in 2012, rising to Vice President, Debt Solutions, where she executed high-profile structured finance deals in oil and gas, power, and telecommunications.
In 2017, she became Senior Manager and Head of Company Secretariat at Ecobank. She subsequently joined Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) in 2020, serving as Company Secretary and Head of Legal at RMB Nigeria Asset Management.
Mrs. Baruwa holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B Hons) from Lagos State University, a Barrister at Law (B.L) from the Nigerian Law School, and was called to the Bar in 2004.
She also earned a Master’s degree in International Finance Law (LL.M, Merit) from King’s College London.
She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), the Institute of Directors (IoD), and an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIBN).
The announcement was signed by Mr. Olufemi Otedola, CON, Chairman of the Board of Directors, First HoldCo Plc.
