CEO’s Corner

What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Odiri Oginni. I am the CEO of United Capital Asset Management Limited, a subsidiary of United Capital Plc. As asset managers, our role is to connect investors to the capital market through our investment products.

Beyond the office desk, notepads, and business jackets, who is Odiri Oginni?
Odiri is a very warm and introverted young lady. She is driven, passionate and she loves to read. I am an indoor person and prefer activities that keep me at home.

Tell us about your career journey so far.
I started my career in Deloitte for about 2 years before moving to BGL briefly for 3 months and then to UBA Global Markets, which evolved over the years to become United Capital Plc. I have spent 14 years in the group working across various roles from CFO of UBA Global Markets to Head of Investor Relations and Strategy for United Capital Plc and then to Head of FINCON for United Capital Plc, eventually to become the Group CFO of United Capital Plc and then my current role as CEO of United Capital Asset Management Limited.

How would you describe a typical day in the life of the MD/CEO of United Capital Asset Management?
My day starts with thinking and planning my activities very early in the morning. I am more of a morning person, so I first have all my important activities. I start the day with team meetings, meetings with other stakeholders- internal and external. I also review emails sent to ensure I don’t miss any requests for approvals. Part of my day also is spent reviewing key reports that highlight the different activities of the business and how we are doing. At the end of each day, I check to ensure all critical activities have been carried out.

When you are not dealing with significant numbers and fast-paced transactions, what are the things you enjoy doing away from the 9-5 grind?
I love to read, and I love to watch movies. Movies that are educative as well as entertaining and teach life lessons. I can rewatch a movie multiple times if it resonates strongly with me.

What’s that one thing about you that we would never guess?
Odiri is not just all serious and work😄. Most of my colleagues are surprised when I tell them I stayed awake watching movies all night.

How would you describe your personal style?
Simple, Confident, and Comfortable. Feeling confident and comfortable in my clothes is very important to me, so I ensure I choose outfits with alignment from within.

If you weren’t navigating a successful career in Finance and Asset Management, what path would you have loved to take?
I would probably go with being a teacher. It’s something I would eventually transition to in later years. This is driving my desire to do a doctorate degree. Also, my mum was a teacher for 35 years before she retired, and I believe that interest came from watching her over the years.

If you had 5 things that you could tell your 24-year-old self and other young women out there aspiring to reach the heights that you’ve attained, what would they be?
First, I will say, “know that your dream is valid.” 
Secondly, “don’t wait for anyone to validate you before you believe in yourself
Thirdly, “say hungry, stay humble
Fourth, ‘be so good at what you do that you can’t be ignored
Lastly, ‘always be yourself

You have a reputation for chasing knowledge. What’s the last book you read, and what lessons did you draw from it?
I am currently reading a book by Grant Cardone, “The 10X Rule. Amazing lessons for me, both personal and professional. The book challenges me to set massive 10x goals and commit to massive action and the 10x way of thinking. It teaches me to maintain, multiply, and repeat my actions to sustain the desired results. Another lesson that resonates with me is that “Obsession is a gift and not a disease.” I noticed that to achieve a specific goal, I have to get that goal to a state of being obsessed with it, whether it is a personal goal or a business goal. It is interesting to learn that obsession is what one needs to set 10x goals and follow them up with 10x actions.

Which individual, male or female, would you say has inspired you in your journey so far?
Sunny Anene was my direct report who spotted my drive and passion for my work and gave me visibility. Also, I am highly inspired by the way Peter Ashade thinks and his obsession to make an impact. I tell myself, Odiri, you are the female version of Peter Ashade 😄.

When you reflect on your professional and personal trajectory, what’s the one thing you are most proud of?
On a personal level, I would say being a CEO at 34. I had my expectation for later years, but it was a privilege to be asked to drive the Asset Management business, and at that time, I was 34. On a professional level, it was transforming the asset management business into a market leader in 3 years. We grew the mutual fund’s assets under management from N7bn to N207bn as of December 2021 and positioned the company from number 10 in the market to the 3rd largest asset management firm in Nigeria, a feat I am really proud of.