- The Jonathan F. Fanton Leadership in Education Award -
Gbenga Oyebode is the Chairman of Aluko & Oyebode, (Barristers & Solicitors) one of the largest integrated law firms in Nigeria, with offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt.
Gbenga was an Associate with White & Case, New York between 1982 and 1983.
Gbenga was educated at the University of Ife (LL.B Honours), and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (LL.M) graduating in 1979 and 1982, respectively. He is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted June 1980) and an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of New York State (admitted November 1983). He was conferred Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), by the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (2016) and Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria (2017). He is the Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Gbenga is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (FCIArb) and the Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI). He is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the International Bar Association (IBA). Gbenga is the past Chairman of the Section of Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Gbenga was conferred with one of Nigeria’s highest honours, the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) in the year 2000. He was also conferred with the Belgian Royal Honour of ‘Knight of the Order of Leopold’ in 2007. He was conferred with an award for Lifetime Contribution to Law at the Law Digest Africa Awards 2015.
He was Chairman, Access Bank Plc (2005-2015) and the Chairman of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc (both listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange NSE) and serves on the Boards of Nestle Nigeria Plc and Socfinaf S.A (listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange). He is the Chairman of CFAO Nigeria Plc.
Gbenga sits on the Africa Advisory Committee of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), is the Chairman of Teach for Nigeria, Director Teach for All, New York, Member of the Global Advisory Council of the Africa Leadership Academy, Johannesburg, Director Jazz at the Lincoln Centre, New York and Director African Philanthropy Forum. Member Board of Trustees Carnegie Hall, New York, and Member Board of Trustees Ford Foundation, New York and Director International Lawyers for Africa (ILFA), London.
Gbenga was the cover story of the Forbes Africa magazine July 2018 publication headlined: "Lawyer - Investor. Gbenga Oyebode, the new face of business in Africa."