Adegbola Ogedengbe, a distinguished Nigerian legal and compliance professional with a global footprint in financial regulation and digital payments, has been awarded the City People 2022 Outstanding Talent Award, a prestigious honour that celebrates Nigerians and Africans whose professional contributions have meaningfully advanced their fields.
The award, part of the annual City People recognition program, is designed to spotlight individuals who are “exceptionally talented” and have shown measurable impact through their work, leadership, and service. According to the official call for nominations released by City People Magazine, the 2022 edition focused on trailblazers who combine professional distinction with positive social impact, whether within Nigeria or as part of the diaspora.
Among those recognised this year, Ogedengbe stood out for his contributions to financial regulation, compliance law, and policy frameworks governing emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency and blockchain. With over two decades of experience spanning Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Canada, Ogedengbe’s work has consistently intersected with some of the most transformative changes in the global financial system.
Currently serving as Senior Manager and Industry Regulatory Lead at ATB Financial in Alberta, Canada, Ogedengbe plays a pivotal role in shaping national dialogues around payment modernisation, central bank digital currencies, real-time payment rails, and financial compliance. He provides legal guidance and regulatory interpretation on large-scale technology implementation projects, working closely with industry regulators and banking leaders across the country.
Before his work in Canada, Ogedengbe served as a regulatory and compliance lead at Santander Bank, where he advised on critical frameworks such as MiFID, FATCA, EMIR, and anti-money laundering regimes. His work spanned both the UK and North American operations of the bank, where he collaborated with executives on business strategy, cross-border legal compliance, and institutional readiness in a post-2008 regulatory environment.
Ogedengbe’s legal roots are firmly grounded in Nigeria. A graduate of Ogun State University and the Nigerian Law School, he began his career as a corporate and securities lawyer at Bolarinwa Odeyale & Co., where he handled matters related to investment law, private equity transactions, and public company compliance. His work during that period laid the foundation for a career characterised by both legal acumen and policy relevance.
In line with the City People Awards’ 2022 call for nominations, which asked for individuals whose work is “recognised by peers and respected within their profession,” Ogedengbe’s selection reflects the alignment between his professional achievements and the award’s mission. His expertise in financial technology, data regulation, and legal innovation has not only earned him the trust of global institutions but has also shaped internal policy decisions and external regulatory frameworks.
Ogedengbe is also a respected voice in the nonprofit and educational sectors. He has volunteered as a legal consultant for cryptocurrency startups in Canada, offering regulatory advice to early-stage businesses. In Nigeria, his influence continues through affiliations with the Nigerian Bar Association, mentoring initiatives, and collaborative engagements with legal professionals interested in cross-border financial regulation.
Professional organisations such as the Canadian Association of Professionals in Regulatory Affairs (CAPRA) and the Association of Canadian Compliance Professionals have recognised his work, adding to his growing list of affiliations that reflect broad respect for his expertise and judgment.
The 2022 City People Awards, held in Lagos, attracted recognition across sectors including education, science, public service, and entrepreneurship. While the awards are often associated with figures in entertainment and media, this year’s edition broadened its focus, acknowledging the rise of African professionals who may not command the spotlight but whose work influences systems, economies, and societies.
Ogedengbe’s inclusion among the honourees signals a shift in how excellence is defined and celebrated. As the awards committee noted in its public call, “We are looking for those whose work inspires others and contributes to excellence in their field.” By this measure, Ogedengbe’s contributions, particularly in the highly specialised areas of payment systems law and fintech compliance, exemplify the very ideals the award seeks to promote.
The news of his recognition has been met with pride in Nigerian professional circles, where colleagues have long regarded his career as a benchmark for integrity, expertise, and global relevance. In a year marked by heightened focus on data security, digital currency, and financial system modernisation, Ogedengbe’s recognition comes as both timely and symbolic.
It affirms the growing importance of regulatory leadership in an increasingly digital global economy and celebrates the Nigerian professionals helping to define that landscape. For a country with a growing diaspora of legal, scientific, and financial talent, awards such as this highlight the enduring influence of Nigerian excellence beyond national borders.
In many ways, the City People 2022 Outstanding Talent Award marks not the culmination of Adegbola Ogedengbe’s work, but its growing visibility. It acknowledges a legal strategist whose deep knowledge of compliance and innovation has helped institutions navigate risk, design better systems, and stay ahead of regulatory change.
It also reflects the spirit of the award itself: to recognize those whose work may often be conducted far from the public eye, yet whose impact resonates across industries and borders. Ogedengbe is one such figure, steadily shaping the future of financial governance, and now, deservedly, celebrated at home.
