Gbenga Shobo


Gbenga Francis Shobo is currently Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited; prior to which, he was Executive Director with the bank. A chartered accountant, Gbenga began his career with Coopers & Lybrand, a firm of chartered accountants, in 1986. Thereafter, he joined Victory Merchant Bank, commencing a career in banking that has spanned 23 years.

Early life

Gbenga was born in Lagos. His father was a chemical engineer and mother was a nurse. Gbenga has two older siblings, Tosin and Funmi. He attended St Gregory's College, Lagos for his secondary school certificate, before completing a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Ife.

Career

FBN Merchant Bank Limited

Gbenga worked for one year with FBN Merchant Bank as General Manager, Corporate/Commercial Banking. He had responsibility for credit, relationship management, and business development, in a role that saw him coordinate the operations of the bank’s branches across the country.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited

Gbenga joined FirstBank from FBN Merchant Bank Limited as Group Head, National Corporates in 2006. He held different offices in the bank before becoming Executive Vice President, Retail South in 2010. Impassioned by the prospects for domestic small- and medium-sized businesses, in his role as Executive Director, Lagos & West, Gbenga was responsible for the public sector and retail banking businesses of FirstBank in the Lagos and West area.
On Monday 4 January 2016, Gbenga assumed office as Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

Personal life

A keen golfer and active lawn tennis player, Gbenga is married to Vivien Shobo, the CEO of Nigeria’s leading rating agency, Agusto & Co. They have two sons.