Mrs. Abayomi Tolu Onabanjo is a distinguished Nigerian brand management executive, strategic communications leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose career exemplifies visionary leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to societal advancement.  She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Extol Security Service Company in Lagos.

With over two decades of professional experience, she has built an impressive career spanning commercial leadership, corporate governance, strategic brand development and brand equity management across diverse sectors, including finance, fragrance, and construction.

Mrs. Onabanjo studied Mass Communication at Lead City University and furthered her education at the University of Lagos. She also studied Brand Management at the University of London and completed professional development programmes in negotiation and leadership at London Business School.

Her foundational professional journey is characterized by a steady ascension through roles demanding high-level client relations and strategic oversight. After building early expertise in customer service and client management with organizations such as Kofal Associates and Bordwalk Consulting, she assumed the role of Managing Director at Extol Securities from 2007 to 2017. In this capacity, she navigated complex financial landscapes, managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals and corporate entities to deliver robust security and risk-management solutions. Her acute business acumen further expanded during her tenure as Senior Managing Director at Scent Arcade from 2017 to 2024, where she brilliantly spearheaded experiential marketing landmarks like the Scent Fair, significantly elevating brand visibility and market traction. In 2024, she brought her formidable expertise to Craneburg Construction as Senior Brand Manager, orchestrating comprehensive brand positioning and corporate communications initiatives.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Mrs. Onabanjo is a pioneering entrepreneur who has left an indelible mark on the creative and communications landscape. As the founder of Lil Concepts, a brand communications agency, she has empowered numerous organizations to build enduring brand equity, refine market positioning, and execute powerful communication strategies. Demonstrating a profound dedication to human capital development, she also established the ATO Branding Academy, a rigorous professional development program that has equipped dozens of students with practical mastery in marketing, branding, and strategic communications. Her intellectual authority in the field is further underscored by more than 22 speaking engagements across Nigeria, Dubai, and West Africa, where she consistently shares insights on corporate identity, trusted brand building, and stakeholder relations.

A firm believer in the transformative power of social responsibility, Mrs. Onabanjo extends her leadership far beyond the boardroom through the ATO Foundation and community empowerment initiatives. Her philanthropic footprint includes supporting educational programs that have positively impacted approximately 500 students, enhancing access to quality learning and institutional opportunities for young people. Furthermore, her rural development initiatives have provided comprehensive vocational and makeup training, startup capital, and ongoing mentorship to over one hundred women, fostering sustainable financial independence and grassroots economic resilience.

A devoted family woman, balancing her rigorous professional commitments with grace and devotion alongside her husband, Omooba Abimbola John Onabanjo, and their three children, Mrs. Onabanjo exemplifies the highest virtues of purpose-driven leadership, integrity, and national development.

It is in recognition of her Sterling Accomplishments in the Provision of Private and Corporate Security Services in Nigeria that Mrs. Abayomi Tolu Onabanjo is deemed worthy to be conferred with the Woman of Merit Gold Award.