Pastors In The Marketplace:

Ibukun Awosika

Pastor Ibukun Awosika.

Ibukun Awosika: A Life of Purpose in Faith and Business

In a world where people are often told to “pick a side,” Ibukun Awosika chose both and she’s thriving.

She’s not just a successful entrepreneur and boardroom leader. She’s also a pastor, mentor, and passionate advocate for purpose-driven living. From founding The Chair Centre, a major furniture company, to becoming the first female Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, Ibukun has built a career rooted in excellence and courage.

After a brief stint as an audit trainee and showroom manager, she launched Quebees Ltd in 1989, a modest furniture-making venture born from passion and perseverance.

The company expanded into The Chair Centre Group and later merged with France’s SOKOA S.A and Guaranty Trust Bank to form SOKOA Chair Centre Limited a local manufacturing triumph triggered by Nigeria’s 2004 furniture import ban

But what truly sets her apart? Her unwavering faith.

As a pastor at the Fountain of Life Church, Ibukun doesn’t just preach purpose—she lives it. Whether she’s speaking to thousands at a conference or quietly supporting missionaries across Nigeria, her message remains clear: your faith should fuel your work, not be separate from it.

And she hasn’t forgotten the younger generation. Through her Afterschool Graduate Development Centre, she helps young people discover their potential, sharpen their skills, and step confidently into the world of work.

Here’s what we can learn from her:

• You don’t have to choose between church and career. You can honor God in both.

• Excellence is a form of worship. Whether you’re leading a meeting or leading a prayer, do it well.

• Purpose isn’t just a feeling it’s a daily decision.

Ibukun Awosika reminds us that life isn’t about fame or fortune. It’s about using everything God has given you to lead, to serve, and to inspire.

So if you’re a young person wondering how faith fits into your future, look no further than this powerhouse woman of God. She’s proof that you can be both a light in the church and a force in the world.