About me

My professional journey began with an internship at the Minnesota State Government Auditor's Office, Minneapolis City Hall, in 1978, where I participated in auditing local school districts and the State Investment Portfolio Account. Upon returning to Nigeria, I had my first glimpse of the banking sector during my National Youth Service (NYSC) at Citibank (NIB) from 1985 to 1986.

Following my NYSC, I joined the American Embassy (Foreign Commercial Service) in Lagos as a Commercial Specialist (1986–1990), where I facilitated trade relations between Nigeria and the United States, managed telecommunications trade missions, and played a key role in inaugurating Nigeria's Computer Telecoms & Office Equipment exhibitions.

I then joined Oceanic Bank International (now Ecobank), Lagos, where I served as a Deputy Manager in the Consumer Banking Group (1990–1996). In this role, I was responsible for credit management, risk assessment, loan recovery, and maintaining profitable client relationships.

In the U.S., I worked at Bank of America, Seattle, starting as a Lead Associate in the Consumer Loan Center (1996–1998), where I reviewed loan applications and assisted customers. I then became a Collateral Specialist (1998–1999), ensuring compliance with underwriting guidelines. From 1999 to 2001, I worked as a Community Reinvestment Act Analyst, evaluating loan compliance and credit approvals. Finally, in 2001, I served as a Commercial Bank Portfolio Analyst, conducting risk assessments and monitoring financial exposures.

I took a short break from the U.S. to manage the family business, Babs Gbenro & Company Ltd. (2002–2003), where I oversaw a team of 10 employees in PMS haulage and petroleum product logistics before returning to the U.S. to continue my career.

Upon returning to the U.S., I joined H&R Block and L&S Financial (2004–2005) as a Tax Associate and Mortgage Broker, where I prepared business and individual tax returns, processed debt consolidations, and facilitated home mortgage refinancing.

I later transitioned into public service, working for the Washington State Government. At the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS, Lacey), I served as a Project Accountant (2005–2006) and later as a Financial Analyst (2006–2008), handling financial reconciliations, federal revenue accruals, and program expenditure reporting. In 2008, I joined the Employment Security Department in Olympia as a Tax Specialist (2008–2015), where I managed employer tax liabilities, recalculated tax rates, and ensured compliance with unemployment insurance regulations.

After a fulfilling career in the U.S., I retired from public service in 2015 and returned to Nigeria to focus on entrepreneurship and business consulting. I resumed operations at Babs Gbenro & Company Ltd., where I have been actively involved in PMS haulage and petroleum product logistics. In addition, I contribute to public discourse as a panel member on the Fourth Estate of the Realm at 103.1 Unilag FM, engaging in discussions on Nigeria’s political economy and current affairs.