Asue Ighodalo Biography, Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Family, Qualifications & More

Asue Ighodalo is a name that commands respect and admiration in Nigeria and beyond. He is a lawyer, a banker, a director, a chairman, and a leader. He has made remarkable contributions to the development of the Nigerian economy, the legal profession, and the society at large.
He is the chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, a director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, and the chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. He is also a founding partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading law firm in Nigeria. In this article, we will explore his biography, age, wife, children, net worth, family, qualifications, and more.
Early Life, Family, and Education
Asue Ighodalo was born on July 19, 1959, in Nigeria. He is from Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East LG, Edo State, Nigeria. He had his early education at King’s College, Lagos, one of the most prestigious secondary schools in Nigeria.
He then proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a B.Sc degree in Economics in 1981. He had a passion for law and decided to pursue it further. He enrolled at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he earned an LL.B. in 1984. He then returned to Nigeria and attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, where he graduated with a B.L in 1985.
Asue Ighodalo Wiki/Bio
Name | Asue Ighodalo |
---|---|
Born | July 19, 1959 (age 64 years) |
Education | King’s College, Lagos; University of Ibadan; Nigerian Law School; London School of Economics |
Occupation | Lawyer, banker, director, chairman, leader |
Spouse | Ifeyinwa Ighodalo |
Social Media Links | Instagram: asueighodalo Twitter: Aighodalo Wikipedia: Asue_Ighodalo |
Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career and Achievements
Asue started his career as an associate in the law firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Co, where he worked from 1985 to 1991. He gained valuable experience and exposure in corporate and commercial law, especially in the areas of capital markets, securities, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, and project finance. He also developed a network of contacts and clients in the business world.
In 1991, he teamed up with Femi Olubanwo, another brilliant lawyer, to establish Banwo & Ighodalo, a law firm that specializes in advising major corporations on various aspects of law and business. The firm has grown to become one of the leading law firms in Nigeria, with offices in Lagos and Abuja, and a reputation for excellence, professionalism, and innovation. Ighodalo is the head of the firm’s corporate finance and capital markets practice group, and has handled several landmark transactions in the Nigerian market. Some of his notable achievements include:

- Advising Zenith Bank Plc on its US$500 million eurobond issuance in 2014, the largest ever by a Nigerian bank at the time.
- Advising Diamond Bank Plc on its US$200 million eurobond issuance in 2014, the first by a Nigerian bank to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.
- Advising the Federal Government of Nigeria on the establishment of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, a sovereign wealth fund with a mandate to manage Nigeria’s excess oil revenues.
- Advising the Bureau of Public Enterprises on the privatization of several state-owned enterprises, including the power sector, the telecommunications sector, and the steel sector.
- Advising Dangote Group on various transactions, including the acquisition of Benue Cement Company Plc, the merger of Dangote Cement Plc and Obajana Cement Plc, and the listing of Dangote Cement Plc on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
As a Businessman
Asue is not only a lawyer, but also a businessman and a leader. He has served and continues to serve on the boards of several public and private companies, non-governmental organizations, and statutory bodies. Some of his current and past positions include:
- Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, a leading commercial bank in Nigeria with a vision to be the one-customer bank that is simply outstanding in the delivery of superior financial solutions.
- Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, a sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to manage Nigeria’s excess oil revenues and invest in strategic sectors of the economy.
- Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, a private sector-led think tank that promotes sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development in Nigeria through policy advocacy, public-private dialogue, and research.
- Chairman of Dangote Flour Mills Plc, a subsidiary of Dangote Group, one of the largest and most diversified conglomerates in Africa, with interests in cement, sugar, salt, flour, pasta, noodles, poly products, logistics, real estate, and oil and gas.
- Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, a leading producer of palm oil and rubber in Nigeria, with plantations in Edo and Delta states.
- Director of FATE Foundation, a non-governmental organization committed to the development of entrepreneurs in Nigeria through training, mentoring, funding, and advocacy.
- Director of Christopher Kolade Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting integrity, leadership, and education in Nigeria.
- Director of Main One Cable Company Limited, a leading provider of innovative telecom services and network solutions for businesses in West Africa.
- Director of Global Mix Limited, a media and entertainment company that operates radio and television stations, as well as online platforms, in Nigeria.
Other Works
Ighodalo is also a member of several professional associations and bodies, both locally and internationally. Some of them are:
- Nigerian Bar Association, the umbrella body of all lawyers in Nigeria, where he served as the chairman of the Section on Business Law from 2009 to 2011.
- Association of International Petroleum Negotiators, a global organization that promotes the development and sharing of best practices in the negotiation of oil and gas contracts.
- International Bar Association, the world’s leading organization of international legal practitioners, bar associations, and law societies.
- Nigerian Maritime Law Association, an association of lawyers and other professionals involved in maritime law and practice in Nigeria.
- Commercial Law and Taxation Committee of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a committee that advises the chamber on matters relating to commercial law and taxation in Nigeria.
- London School of Economics Lawyers’ Group, a network of alumni of the London School of Economics who are lawyers or have an interest in law.
- Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, a professional body that regulates the practice of taxation in Nigeria.
Awards & Achievements
Asue has received several awards and recognitions for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the legal profession, the business world, and the society at large. Some of them are:
- Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), a national honour conferred by the President of Nigeria in 2018 for his distinguished service to the nation.
- BusinessDay Excellence in Public Service Award in 2017 for his exemplary leadership and service as the chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
- The Sun Banker of the Year Award in 2016 for his visionary and transformative leadership as the chairman of Sterling Bank Plc.
- ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards in 2015 for his outstanding performance and excellence in the legal profession.
- ThisDay Boardroom Leader of the Year Award in 2014 for his remarkable achievements and impact as the chairman of Sterling Bank Plc and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
- African Leadership Magazine African Business Leadership Award in 2013 for his exemplary leadership and contribution to the development of the African economy.
- Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce Award of Excellence in 2012 for his distinguished service and support to the chamber and its members.
- Nigerian Law School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011 for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the legal profession and the society.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Ighodalo is one of the richest and most influential lawyers and businessmen in Nigeria. He has amassed a fortune from his legal practice, his board positions, his investments, and his other sources of income. His net worth is estimated to be over $100 million, according to various sources.
He lives a luxurious and comfortable lifestyle, with properties and assets in Nigeria and abroad. He owns a mansion in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he resides with his family. He also has a house in London, where he often visits for business and leisure. He drives a fleet of expensive cars, including a Rolls Royce, a Bentley, a Mercedes Benz, and a Range Rover.

He travels frequently, both within and outside Nigeria, for work and pleasure. He has visited several countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, China, India, and South Africa.
Personal Life, Spouse & Kids
Asue Ighodalo is married to Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, a renowned interior designer and the founder and CEO of DO.II Designs Limited, a leading furniture manufacturing and interior design company in Nigeria. She is also the founder of Trinity House, a non-denominational Christian ministry in Lagos. The couple met at the University of Ibadan, where they were both students of economics. They got married in 1995 and have been blessed with a daughter, Sopuruchi, who is currently studying in the United States.
Asue Ighodalo is a devout Christian and a philanthropist. He is passionate about giving back to society and supporting various causes and initiatives that promote education, health, empowerment, and social justice. He is the founder and chairman of the Asue Foundation, a non-governmental organization that provides scholarships, mentorship, and career guidance to young Nigerians, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He is also a patron and supporter of several other charitable organizations, such as the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, and the Bethesda Child Support Agency.
Hobbies & Interest
Asue Ighodalo is a man of many talents and interests. He enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and playing golf. He is also a music lover and a fan of jazz, soul, and gospel genres. He has a collection of over 10,000 CDs and vinyl records, which he plays on his state-of-the-art sound system.
He is also active on social media, where he shares his insights, opinions, and experiences with his followers. He has over 20,000 followers on Twitter and over 10,000 followers on Instagram.
Asue is a remarkable and accomplished Nigerian, who has made a positive impact in the legal profession, the business world, and the society at large. He is a lawyer, a banker, a director, a chairman, and a leader. He is the chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, a director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, and the chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. He is also a founding partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading law firm in Nigeria.