Adebayo Ogunlesi: The Nigerian Billionaire Who Owns British Airports

Adebayo "Bayo" O. Ogunlesi is a Nigerian lawyer and investment banker. He is currently chairman and managing partner at the private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), which is based in New York City.
Ogunlesi spent 23 years at Credit Suisse First Boston, where he was a managing director and global head of investment banking. He left the firm in 2006 to co-found GIP. The firm has since invested in a number of major infrastructure projects around the world, including Gatwick Airport in London, Heathrow Airport in London, and Sydney Airport in Australia.
In 2022, GIP was acquired by BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. Ogunlesi remained as chairman and CEO of GIP.
Ogunlesi is a prominent figure in the world of finance and philanthropy. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission, and he is a trustee of the Brookings Institution. He is the founder of the Adebayo Ogunlesi Foundation, which provides financial assistance to young Nigerians who wish to pursue higher education in the United States.
Ogunlesi is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. He holds honorary degrees from the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford, and the University of Lagos.
Ogunlesi is a visionary leader who has made a significant contribution to the world of business and philanthropy. He is a role model for young Nigerians and he is a credit to his country.