Chief Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi (B.Eng., Mba)
- Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS)
Chief Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi, widely known as Shade Omoniyi, is an accomplished information technology professional, banking executive, public sector reformer, and community leader. With over three decades of experience spanning Information Technology, Banking, Revenue Administration, and Business Development, she has distinguished herself as one of Nigeria’s most respected female executives.
She currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), where her visionary leadership has transformed revenue administration and enhanced the fiscal sustainability of Kwara State. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FBN Mortgages Limited, a subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
Chief Omoniyi is an alumna of the Lagos Business School, London Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and the Michigan Ross School of Business Leadership Program, where she further strengthened her leadership and executive management capabilities.
- BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
Chief Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi was born on March 26, 1968, in Kano State, Nigeria. She received her early education in Kano before relocating to Ilorin, Kwara State, in 1976 following her father’s transfer of service. She attended St. Clare’s Girls Grammar School, Offa, where she demonstrated exceptional academic ability and leadership qualities from an early age.
A trailblazer by nature, she earned a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ilorin, becoming the only female student in her class. Her determination and excellence earned her admiration among peers and lecturers alike.
Recognizing the importance of combining technical expertise with business acumen, she proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, where she obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) between 1999 and 2001.
Her commitment to lifelong learning has seen her participate in executive education programs at some of the world’s leading institutions, including Harvard Business School, Michigan Ross School of Business, Stanford Graduate School of Business, London Business School, and Lagos Business School.
She is happily married to Mr. Biodun Omoniyi, and together they are blessed with children.
- PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Chief Omoniyi began her career in the Information Technology sector in 1990 with Tara Systems Limited, Lagos, where she played pioneering roles in computer networking and enterprise technology deployment during the formative years of Nigeria’s IT industry.
Between 1997 and 2001, she worked at African International Bank (AIB) as Head of Information Technology and Systems Administration, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership in technology management and banking operations.
In 2001, she joined First Bank of Nigeria Plc as Head of Networks and Communication Management. Her remarkable performance enabled her transition from Information Technology into Business Development, where she consistently excelled across multiple strategic roles.
During her seventeen-year career with First Bank, she served in various leadership positions covering Business Development, Retail Marketing, Public Sector Banking, and Branch Banking Operations. She eventually rose to the position of Deputy General Manager and Group Head, Branch Banking Services.
In 2016, she was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FBN Mortgages Limited, where she successfully led the organization’s strategic growth and operational transformation.
- EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, KWARA STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
On October 1, 2019, Chief Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi was appointed Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Her appointment marked a significant milestone as she became the first female Executive Chairman of the agency and one of the few women leading a state revenue authority in Nigeria.
Upon assuming office, she immediately embarked on a comprehensive restructuring of the agency, streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and implementing technology-driven revenue collection systems. Her reforms significantly reduced administrative bottlenecks while increasing transparency and accountability.
Under her leadership, KW-IRS experienced unprecedented growth in internally generated revenue through the deployment of innovative technological solutions designed to eliminate leakages and simplify compliance for taxpayers.
Her achievements led to her reappointment for a second and final term in October 2023, reaffirming confidence in her leadership and vision for revenue administration in Kwara State. One of the most notable accomplishments during her tenure was the recognition of KW-IRS as the Most Impactful Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA) in Kwara State in 2022.
- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP BEYOND HER PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS,
Chief Omoniyi has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to community development, education, youth empowerment, and social responsibility.
Under her leadership, KW-IRS launched the 5-Es Community Impact Programme, built around five strategic pillars:
- Enterprise
- Energy
- Education
- Empowerment
- Environment
Through this initiative, numerous developmental programs have been implemented to improve the lives of citizens and promote civic responsibility across Kwara State. One of the flagship programs is the annual KW-IRS Tax Club Quiz Competition, designed to promote tax awareness and civic education among secondary school students.
As a passionate advocate for education, she personally funded the renovation of classroom blocks at St. Clare’s Girls Grammar School, Offa. One of the renovated facilities was transformed into a fully equipped computer center featuring modern computers, printers, servers, power-generation facilities, and air-conditioning systems. In addition, she and her husband renovated classroom facilities at Community School, Okeya-Ipo, and donated more than sixty computers and other educational resources to improve learning opportunities for students.
Among her numerous philanthropic projects is the sponsorship of a water borehole project at the Omo Ibile Igbomina Headquarters in Ganmo, Kwara State, providing sustainable access to clean water for the community.
Chief Omoniyi also made history as the first President of the 1982 Set of the St. Clare’s Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association and remains actively involved in mentoring and supporting young women and future female leaders.
- NATIONAL SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Chief Omoniyi serves as a member of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023. The committee was tasked with redesigning Nigeria’s tax architecture and strengthening fiscal policy administration across the country. Her participation reflects national recognition of her expertise in taxation, revenue administration, public finance, and institutional reform.
- PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Chief Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi is widely respected within professional circles and holds numerous memberships and certifications, including:
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN)
- Honorary Senior Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)
- Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
- Member, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIM)
She is also professionally certified as:
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
These qualifications reflect her strong foundation in technology, engineering, business leadership, and revenue administration.
- CHIEFTAINCY TITLES AND RECOGNITION
Chief Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi has received numerous professional awards and recognitions for outstanding leadership, public service, and community development.
Among her distinguished traditional titles, she is the Yeye Asiwaju of Okeya-Ipo Land, a title conferred in recognition of her exceptional contributions to community advancement, education, youth empowerment, and socioeconomic development.
- LEGACY
Chief Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi represents the highest ideals of professional excellence, visionary leadership, public service, and community development. Through her achievements in engineering, banking, taxation, and philanthropy, she has become an inspiration to countless young professionals, particularly women aspiring to leadership.
Her enduring legacy is one of innovation, integrity, empowerment, and service to humanity, reflecting a lifelong commitment to creating opportunities, building institutions, and transforming communities for future generations.