Name: Ms Doyin Akinyanju
Role: MD/CEO – IBILE OIl & Gas Corporation
QN: What does wellness mean to you as an African woman? Do you prioritise it? If yes, how?
For me, wellness embodies not just physical and mental wellbeing but also spiritual, social and financial wellbeing. It is being intentional about my habits and engaging in activities that enable me to thrive and fulfil my potential as best as I humanly can.
- Spirituality: My Spirituality is defined by my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. My essence is found in Him – I simply can do nothing without Him, I seek guidance, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and more for every aspect of my life from Him. This is the core of my wellbeing.
- Social: There is no social wellness without the love and support from my family – they are the wind beneath the wings I fly. Family is an essential part of the African culture and thus learning to deliberately build and maintain strong family connections is crucial for my social wellness. Staying in touch with family members, making time for them and being present, attending family events and providing support are practical things I do. As an African woman it also important for me to building, cultivate and invest in healthy relationships with, friends, and the broader community. Lastly, I give back by way of coaching, mentoring and promoting other African women coming after me.
- Physical: While I acknowledge this is an important aspect of wellbeing, it is my weak point. I try to exercise twice a week, eat sensible but too often fall off the wagon. I drink at least 5 x 60cl of water daily.
- Mental: Being mindful of what I take in. guarding my mind and heart jealously, reading to improve brain functions and prevent cognitive decline. Continuous learning
- Financial: I have present and future security, present and future freedom of choice to enjoy life and support causes that impact my society positively. I am quite deliberate about investment choices I make.
QN: Any wellness practices passed down to you that you are keen on passing on yourself?
Wellness is not just the absence of disease or infirmity; its everyday conscious effort to relaxation, emotional balance, physical fitness, stress reduction and choosing to have a good quality of life.
The secret to a maintain a well-balanced life for me, is :
- Spending time to nourish your spiritual walk i.e., praying and studying the Bible as often as I can.
- Also spending valuable time with loved ones and people who add value to my life.
- Taking timeout to rest and re-group is crucial.
- Maintaining a regular 8hour a day sleeping pattern
- Drink lots of water
- Reading and keeping your mind active
- Giving back – volunteering, mentoring etc
- Be active and exercise – do what you enjoy
- Be authentically you and love yourself – be true to yourself and don’t give room pressure.
- Be empathic towards others – make excuses for others, allow for perspectives outside yours
QN: What has been your biggest lesson/realisation about wellness?
One can never pour from an empty cup. Also, wholesome well-being is a dedicated pursuit that requires commitment but guarantees positive results and the ability to face challenges head – on.
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Biography:
Efundoyin (Doyin) graduated with honours in Chemistry from the University of Lagos in Nigeria in 1990 and went on to obtain an MBA in 1994 from the University of Wales College of Cardiff (Business School). In the same year, she qualified for the Charter Institute of Marketing (CIM) exams and in 2011 completed the Executive Finance training at IMD in Switzerland.
A very sound leader with high ethical standards and integrity, Doyin has a proven track record of business growth, efficiency improvement and increase in profitability from 27 profession years of experience.
After a brief stint with a Finance boutique, an International FMCG firm and a Software Development Company, Doyin joined Schlumberger where she spent 18 1/2 years in numerous management and senior leadership positions of increasing responsibility and complexities across geographic challenges. 14 of those years were spent on international assignments across multiple countries in Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa. Her previous roles at Schlumberger included Glob. Recruiting Director based out of Paris, MD/Country Manager Schlumberger Kenya & Ethiopia, where she was responsible for starting up, establishing and growing Schlumberger entities in Kenya and Ethiopia and Group Marketing Director for Schlumberger Nigeria and Gulf of Guinea Africa, amongst many others.
In August 2015, Doyin Joined GE Oil & Gas, now Baker Hughes. a GE company, following a merger between GE 011 & Gas and Baker Hughes International. While at GE she assumed several regional leadership roles in Sub• Saharan Africa, they included Chief Strategic Officer for Sub- Saharan region, CEO GE Oil & Gas West and Central Africa and Director West Africa Baker Hughes. a GE company and contributed significantly to the growth of the company.
In September 2019, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu appointed Doyin as MD/CEO of ‘BILE Oil and Gas Corporation (100C). a Lagos State owned company established by law in 2013. Doyin is currently the MD/CEO IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC).
Doyin is a life member of the Institute of Directors Nigeria and currently enrolled in the Financial Times Non Executive Director Diploma.
She enjoys spending quality time with her family, travelling (meeting people and especially learning new cultures). She also enjoys Listening to music. She is passionate about social intervention programs and promoting and developing talent. She is an enthusiast for learning and reading, also for theatre and art.