Steve Osho: Journey to Banking Entrepreneurship and Global Recognition

Career Choice

When Steve Osho, as a young university graduate of Applied Geo Physics, decided to accept a banking job offer, with lower pay compared to two others in manufacturing companies, little did he know that the decision will lead him into entrepreneurship in investment banking and professional recognition from reputable brands like the Euro Money Awards and the Financial Times of London.

“While leaving the university, I told myself I only wanted to work in two industries either the oil and gas industry or the banking industry.

“From the onset, I had a determined mindset to excel in either of the industries and as a science student from Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State (FUTA) which was a place where you’ve to prepare yourself ahead of time. But looking back, it was a place that taught me about leadership, independence and how to survive,” Osho said on what informed that choice.

More than two decades after that decision, Steve Osho is today one of the three Co-Founders of Comercio Partners, a Lagos-based boutique investment firm that has distinguished itself in Asset Management, Advisory, Trading and Real Estate.

As the Executive Director, Advisory Services, Osho brings to the table a rich, diverse, international professional experience, having worked in one of the biggest international banks in Nigeria.

Professional Experience

Though, at the beginning of his career, Osho had a personal mantra, “It is all about service, knowledge, dedication and self-development,” he however considered his banking career as a privilege experience that prepared him for the task of co-founding Comercio Partners and his executive role in the company.

“I was lucky to work in an organization that rewards people for their loyalty, dedication and a place that gives room for growth. I have come to know that when you’re working in an organization that recognizes your specific traits and gives you great advantages to expand yourself, you should take advantage of those opportunities given.

“Working across different units within the organization gave me the edge to shape my career and the experience gained is what started the journey of Comercio Partners,” Osho said.

Leadership roles

Prior to co founding Comercio Partners, Osho served in many leadership roles and responsibilities. These include Head, Asset & Liabilities; Head, Fixed Income Trading; Head, Money Market & Credit Trading; Head Interest Rates Sales & Fixed Income Business, all at Stanbic IBTC. As the Head Interest Rates Sales & Fixed Income Business of the bank, Osho was responsible for trading and risk management activities covering a broad range of asset classes within the fixed income and currency business. In the course of his career, he won the Euro money best Bond House for Stanbic IBTC as the best Liquidity provider in 2008.

In the process of time, Osho emerged as an industry leader, contributing his knowledge and experiences to enhance policy decisions and professional development in the financial sector. In this regard, he served as deputy chair of the bond workgroup, Financial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA). He is also a member of the Nigerian Capital Market, a member of the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD).

To enhance capacity development in the banking industry, Osho facilitated several trainings for the banks, Financial Market Dealers Quote, FMDQ, Financial Marker Dealers Association, FMDA, and other regulatory authorities like the Central Bank of Nigeria and Debt Management Office.

Foray into Entrepreneurship

Apparently, these leadership roles, in addition to an MBA in Finance and sustainability from the University of Cumbria, United Kingdom, equipped and empowered Osho’s journey into entrepreneurship.

According to Osho, the journey started with a desire, mutually shared with long term friends – Tosin Osunkoya and Nnamdi Nwizu.

Narrating the philia connection that birthed Comercio Partners, Osho said: “Before we founded Comercio Partners, my partners and I had been long-time friends.”

Challenges

In spite of the friendship and diverse professional experiences among them, their entrepreneurship journey was however not easy. Given that the Nigerian financial landscape was replete with numerous investment banking firms, Osho and his friends’ decision to establish Comercio Partners was like little unknown David taking on the Goliaths.

“It was not easy when we started. Competitions would always be there and as the new kid in the block, it takes a lot to convince people to believe in your dream and how much value you can add.

“We had to re-strategize and reinvent new products to meet clients’ expectations, and build clients confidence with us”, Osho said, narrating the challenges encountered.

“One of the basic challenges you would face as an entrepreneur is ‘people’, getting the right people to key into the idea of the business, finding people who duly understand the reason behind the vision which is building a financial service ecosystem of choice with the strategic intent of empowering minds in Africa,” he added.

Surmounting the Odds

Osho and his friends were however undeterred. With dogged determination, leveraging their various experiences and network, the trio worked hard to surmount the challenges.

In this regard, Osho’s breadth of knowledge and operational experience with an international bank, building teams and culture, and growing businesses, became beneficial and enabled him to contribute to the strategic direction and the long-term sustainable success of Comercio Partners.

“In the advisory space, we were the first house that introduced a green Sukuk corporate bond to the market, and this is a system we believe in. We are looking at every opportunity to add value to every SMEs in Nigeria who are adding value to the country but have limited funds,” Osho said about his leadership roles and impact in the growth of Comercio Partners.

“We have grown our portfolio management in the asset management industry to more than N60 billion. When we first entered the market, we focused on recognizing the right moment to market, which means that when I advise a client, I do so based on my professional background and expertise. We have done an excellent job in the advisory space, and individuals frequently allude to the knowledge and skills we provide to the organization during conversations,” he noted.

Recognition

In the course of time, the contribution of Osho and his friends attracted recognition and awards which further reinforced their leadership and professional contribution to the industry.

“We have won numerous awards, from Financial Times, Pan Finance Awards etc but the most notable to me is the Bank and Financial Institutions Awards, BAFI accolades by BusinessDay Newspaper, as the Boutique Investment Bank of the year, because it was our first on a bigger stage as a company.

More than banking

Steve Osho, however, is more than just an investment banker. He is an avid football fan, a great music enthusiast, a corporate social responsibility champion, and presently serves on the board of a couple of business organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to support causes that align with his deep social duty.