Mr. Ayodele Samuel Olatiregun is a highly accomplished, multidisciplinary finance and strategy professional with over twenty-nine (29) years of cumulative work experience, including more than eighteen (18) years post-professional qualification, spanning Accounting, Finance, Investment Management, Information Technology, Corporate Strategy, and Public-Sector Financial Leadership.
He is widely recognised for his rare convergence of private-sector financial rigour, investment management depth, digital-finance fluency, and public-sector institutional leadership, particularly within the aviation ecosystem. His career reflects a deliberate progression from technical excellence to strategic stewardship, and ultimately to sectoral thought leadership—a trajectory that has positioned him as one of Nigeria’s most credible voices in aviation finance, infrastructure economics, and institutional governance.
Mr. Olatiregun currently serves as the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the government agency responsible for the ownership, management, and development of Nigeria’s federal airports. In this role, he provides executive oversight for Finance, Accounts, Revenue, and Credit Control functions across a complex, multi-airport system spanning over twenty-three (23) airports nationwide, while also playing a central role in airport concession modelling, public-private partnership (PPP) evaluations, digital finance transformation, and enterprise performance management.
At the core of Mr. Olatiregun’s professional identity is a deep belief that finance is not merely a reporting function but a strategic enabler of institutional sustainability, accountability, and national development. His work consistently demonstrates a commitment to Financial stewardship over financial administration, Value creation over compliance-only thinking, Institution-building over personality-driven leadership, and Long-term legacy over short-term gains.
This philosophy has guided his leadership across regulated financial institutions, consulting environments, healthcare systems, investment groups, and public-sector entities, and continues to inform his advocacy for professional excellence, ethical leadership, and capacity development within Nigeria’s aviation and finance ecosystems.
As Director of Finance and Accounts at FAAN, Mr. Olatiregun operates at the intersection of public finance, infrastructure economics, regulatory compliance, and commercial transformation. His role encompasses strategic oversight and policy advisory responsibilities that extend far beyond routine accounting. His scope of Responsibility include: Strategic leadership of FAAN’s Finance, Accounts, Revenue, and Credit Control Departments; Oversight of forecasting, treasury management, and statutory financial reporting; Coordination of monthly performance reviews (MPRs) and executive financial dashboards; Financial modelling and evaluation of airport concession and PPP transactions; Revenue assurance frameworks across aeronautical and non-aeronautical streams; Supervision of enterprise financial systems, including ERP and digital payment platforms, as well as; Engagement with auditors, regulators, MDAs, concessionaires, and development partners. Under his stewardship, FAAN has advanced significant initiatives in: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) migration and enhancement, Digital revenue collection systems, Automation of financial controls and reporting workflows, and, Data-driven decision support for airport management and policy formulation
His approach combines private-sector efficiency discipline with public-sector accountability requirements, ensuring that financial transformation aligns with national interest, regulatory mandates, and institutional sustainability.
Mr. Olatiregun is an International Airport Professional (IAP), having completed the globally recognised Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP) jointly delivered by Airports Council International (ACI) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
This accreditation situates him within a global network of airport executives and policy leaders and reinforces his expertise in:
• Airport economics and financial sustainability
• Infrastructure planning and capital investment appraisal
• Governance frameworks for airport authorities
• Global best practices in airport management and regulation
His AMPAP/IAP qualification complements his financial background, enabling him to engage credibly with multilateral institutions, regulators, investors, and concession partners on airport development and reform initiatives.
One of Mr. Olatiregun’s most defining professional contributions lies in his role as the Pioneer Chairman of the ICAN Aviation Chapter.
As Pioneer Chairman, he led the Chapter from concept to reality—navigating institutional approvals, stakeholder engagement, and institutional alignment—ultimately establishing the Chapter as a recognised professional platform within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Mr. Olatiregun trained as an Audit Trainee with Lemibayo Aro & Co (Chartered Accountants), where he acquired a strong grounding in Audit methodology and professional standards, financial reporting and internal control systems and Regulatory compliance and ethical practice.
This foundation instilled in him a lifelong commitment to professional discipline and analytical rigour.
He joined AIICO Pension Managers Limited (now FCMB Pensions Limited), where his career trajectory reflected consistent excellence and leadership capability. He served in key roles including:
• Head, Financial Control & Reporting
• Head, Contributions (Operations)
• Senior Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager
In his investment role, he was responsible for managing over ₦75 billion in pension assets, contributing to portfolio strategy, asset allocation, and risk management in one of Nigeria’s most regulated financial environments.
Mr. Olatiregun subsequently served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) across diverse organisations.
Across these roles, he demonstrated versatility in:
• Corporate finance and treasury management
• Financial strategy and performance optimisation
• Governance, risk management, and compliance
• Supporting growth, restructuring, and institutional scale-up
Distinctively, Mr. Olatiregun’s professional journey began in Information Technology, where he worked for over a decade before transitioning fully into accounting and finance.
He earned the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) designation in 2002, equipping him with early exposure to systems thinking, process automation, and technology-enabled efficiency—capabilities that continue to inform his leadership in digital finance transformation.
• First-Class Honours Degree in Applied AccountingOxford Brookes University, United Kingdom
• Postgraduate Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
His academic excellence reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, intellectual discipline, and global standards.
Mr. Olatiregun holds an exceptional portfolio of professional qualifications, including:
• Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA)
• Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA, UK)
• Associate, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (ACS)
• Authorized Dealing Clerk, Nigerian Exchange (NGX)
• Certified Insolvency Practitioner (CIP)
• International Airport Professional (IAP)
Selected Certifications and Honours
• Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
• Associate Accounting Technician (AAT)
• ACCA Diploma in IFRS (DipIFR)
• Honorary Fellow, Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria (FIIAN Hon.)
• Fellow, Certified Corporate Financial Managers (FCCM)
• Certificate of Honour for Accountability and Transparency (CHAT)
Mr. Olatiregun is an active participant in professional discourse, policy conversations, and capacity-building initiatives, particularly in Aviation finance and airport economics, Public-sector financial reform, Digital finance and institutional transformation, and, Professional ethics and governance.
Through conferences, roundtables, publications, and leadership roles, he consistently advocates for higher standards, strategic thinking, and global alignment in Nigeria’s financial and aviation sectors.
Beyond his professional commitments, Mr. Olatiregun values family, wellness, and cultural exploration. He enjoys Cooking, Swimming, and Travelling.
These pursuits reflect a balanced appreciation for discipline, creativity, and global perspective.
Mr. Ayodele Samuel Olatiregun represents a rare synthesis of technical mastery, strategic leadership, and institutional vision. His career exemplifies what is possible when professional excellence is matched with purpose, integrity, and a long-term commitment to legacy.
Whether in boardrooms, policy forums, professional institutes, or public institutions, he brings a steady hand, a disciplined mind, and a future-focused perspective—qualities that continue to shape Nigeria’s aviation finance landscape and inspire the next generation of professionals.