From Early Ambition to Global Impact: A Story of Parallel Journeys in Risk and Security

I recall a time when my friend, Abiola Awojuola, and I would begin our days before sunrise, driven by ambition, discipline, and a shared belief in our potential to make a meaningful impact. While he was navigating the fast-paced environment of a financial institution, I was honing my skills at an IT Consulting Firm. Back then, our focus wasn't on titles or certifications; it was on learning, executing, and building the foundations for our future careers.

Years later, our paths have taken us to different corners of the globe, and I recently had the pleasure of reconnecting with Abiola. Today, he holds an M.Sc. in Project Management and the CISA certification, and more impressively, he is making a remarkable impact within the Cyber and Fraud Risk ecosystem.

Abiola now leads pivotal initiatives in financial crime, cyber & fraud risk management, and compliance. His work is characterized by a strategic blend of regulatory expertise and innovation, enabling him to solve complex business challenges. By designing robust compliance frameworks and anticipating emerging threats, he exemplifies how the precise alignment of people, processes, and technology can significantly strengthen organizational resilience.

What struck me most was the consistency in his vision. The same focus on excellence, adaptability, and staying ahead of the curve that defined our early days now underpins his leadership style. His ability to merge deep technical expertise with a strong culture of compliance is precisely what the industry needs to combat today’s sophisticated risks.

Reflecting on his journey, I saw the parallels with my own. While he focused on financial crime and compliance, my path has led me deep into cybersecurity. Building on over a decade of experience, I earned my CISA and CISSP certifications, dedicating my work to strengthening cyber resilience and managing complex threat landscapes.

Though our specializations diverged, it’s clear our core missions remained aligned:

• To protect organizations from evolving threats.

• To elevate standards in risk management and compliance.

• To build sustainable, trusted systems that serve both people and businesses.

Reconnecting after all these years, it was inspiring to see how those early mornings had fundamentally shaped our careers, allowing us both to contribute to the architecture of global risk and security functions. Our story is a testament to the power of dedication, continuous learning, and the enduring strength of professional collaboration.

To every professional diligently building their career: your story is still being written. Keep striving, and one day, you will look back and see the profound difference you have made.

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