Meristem Nigeria has announced the appointment of Kemi (Olubọba) Ojenike as Managing Director of Meristem Family Office, a leadership move that underscores the firm’s commitment to integrated wealth management and sustainable, long-term value creation.
Effective January 2026, Ojenike will lead the Family Office platform focused on supporting high-net-worth individuals and families in preserving, growing, and transferring wealth across generations.
Her appointment signals a strategic shift toward a more holistic approach that blends financial stewardship with governance, legacy planning, and social responsibility.
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With over a decade of professional experience, Ojenike brings a rare mix of legal expertise and strategic advisory insight to the role.
Trained as a lawyer, she has consistently applied legal principles as practical tools for addressing complex challenges, guiding clients from idea conception to structured execution.
Over time, this foundation evolved into family wealth advisory, where she is known for helping families safeguard not only their financial assets but also their values, legacy, and intergenerational continuity.
Before her elevation, Ojenike served as Chief Operations Officer of Meristem Family Office from January 2023 to December 2025.
In that capacity, she played a central role in shaping strategy, strengthening operational frameworks, and enhancing service delivery, while maintaining the firm’s strong client-centric culture.
Her appointment reflects continuity and confidence in leadership grounded in institutional knowledge and proven performance.
Ojenike previously held senior roles at Sankore Investments, including Vice President, Family Office; Group Head, Legal and Compliance; and Head of Legacy Planning and Governance.
Across these positions, she led governance initiatives, reinforced compliance systems, and designed legacy planning solutions for high-net-worth families and institutional clients.
She began her professional journey at SimmonsCooper Partners, gaining experience in transaction advisory, litigation support, and corporate legal services—experience that continues to inform her structured and risk-aware leadership style.
Beyond her advisory work, Ojenike is a strong proponent of strategic communication as a critical leadership tool.
Through mentorship, teaching, and content development, she advocates for clarity, responsible influence, and authentic engagement, noting that effective outcomes in boardrooms and family councils depend as much on communication as technical expertise.
Her career is also closely tied to social impact. Ojenike is a founding member and governance lead of The Destiny Trust, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children through education, care, and empowerment.
For more than a decade, the initiative has worked to expand access to opportunity, reflecting her belief that true legacy extends beyond private wealth to societal contribution.
Ojenike is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a Chartered Governance Professional with the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, and a Trusted Family Advisor certified by the Institute for Preparing Heirs. She has also completed advanced training in Corporate Strategy at the University of London.
She describes her purpose as helping Nigerians live meaningful, productive lives today while intentionally preserving the future.
That philosophy now shapes her leadership vision at Meristem Family Office, as the firm positions itself at the intersection of disciplined governance, integrated wealth strategy, and human-centred leadership.
