Tunde Lemo: Former CBN Deputy Governor Is Now TASUED Foundation President

The Governing Council of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State has approved the appointment of a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo, as the President of TASUED Foundations.

The inauguration which took place on the University campus was witnessed by members of the University Governing Council, members of the Management team, Deans and Directors of Centres as well as members of the Alumni Association.

In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro stressed the need for universities across the globe to have a foundation that will serve as an engine room of progress for educational development.

He advised stakeholders in the education sector to look beyond relying on government subvention as he noted that doing this will affect the standard of education in the country.

In his response, the new President of the Foundations, Rev. Tunde Lemo described his induction as a rare privilege and promised that his team will serve the University meritoriously. “We’ll serve meritoriously, not only to meet your expectations but to surpass it” he added.

He further noted that people should learn to give back to the society that moulded them, as giving to humanity should be paramount in their mind “and doing this will make the society grow” he said.

Tunde Lemo is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria as well as fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers with significant leadership and top management experience in both the public and private sectors spanning over 26 years.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy (first class division) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1984 where he won seven academic laurels, including the Best overall graduating student in the Faculty.

In 1985, Mr. Lemo started his career in Arthur Andersen & Co Chartered Accountants and over the years, he held various other positions in Finance and Control as well as providing significant leadership and top management training both in the public and private sectors.

He attended Advanced Management Programme (AMP) at the Wharton College, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, U.S.A in 2002 as well as executive training programmes in world class institutions including Harvard University, INSEAD, Fontainbleau, France, Brandies University, Boston etc. serving as Deputy Governor (Operations), Central Bank of Nigeria, in which role he drove the industry-wide shared services initiative towards achieving efficient banking services with 30% cost savings for the Nigerian banking industry and greater penetration of banking services.

He equally provided strategic direction and supervises five departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria including Reserve Management, Banking and Payments System, Currency Operations, Branch Operations and Information Technology departments. Prior to this, he was Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Surveillance.

Tunde Lemo is an experienced and versatile public officer and financial manager. His contributions to public policy include the implementation of the Banking Sector Consolidation, formulation and implementation of the Microfinance Policy and Supervisory Framework both under the supervision of the Governor.

He also led the restructuring of Abuja Security and Commodities Exchange and Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM), as the Chairman of both institutions. As Vice Chairman Technical Committee for the establishment of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), he participated actively in the establishment of the Pan-African investment institution where he served as a Director.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Governor, he had led the transformation of Wema Bank Plc as MD/CEO between 2000 and 2003 resulting in the bank’s superlative performance which made it rank as one of the top ten most profitable commercial banks in Nigeria in 2003.

He is excited by the opportunities to formulate policies that will raise people’s standard of living and regularly render volunteered and community development services through Tunde Lemo Foundation.

He was awarded with the prestigious National honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) in November, 2011.

Other members of the University Foundations include all members of the Management team, Sir (Dr.) Kensington A. Adebutu, Chief Najim A. Adeniji, Arole ‘Femi Awotedu, Chief Derin Adebiyi and Dr. Lawrence O. Aina while the Secretary is Mr. Femi-Ayoolu Soetan.