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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Olayemi Micheal Cardoso is a Nigerian banker, chartered stockbroker and public policy maker.
Cardoso was born in Lagos over six decades ago. He attended Corona School, Ikoyi, and St. Gregory’s College in Lagos for his primary and secondary education, respectively.
He studied Managerial and Administrative Studies at Aston University, United Kingdom, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in 1980. He also obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2005 as a Mason Fellow.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements in the private and public sector, Cardoso was granted a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) (honoris causa) by Aston University in 2017.
An illustrious career with prominent financial institutions marked Cardoso’s private sector journey. He started his banking career with Citibank, eventually rising to the position of Vice President. Later, he co-founded Citizens International Bank, where he served as an Executive Director for eight years. His expertise in the financial sector contributed significantly to his later roles in public service
Cardoso served as the former chairman of Citibank Nigeria. He was the chairman of the board of EFinA and a member of the advisory board of Lagos Business Schoolas well as chairman of the board of African Venture Philanthropy Alliance.
Cardoso was the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget during the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He is the founding chairman and co-chair of Ehingbeti Summit, the Lagos State Economic Summit.
He is also a former executive lead at Harvard Kennedy School alumni association.
Cardoso has served on the board of several leading companies including Texaco, MRS Oil and Chevron Oil Plc. He is a member of the Belgian-based Cities Alliance Think Tank which aims to shape and influence policy and decision making on urban development in Africa and has strong relationships with key international donor agencies.
His dedication to lifelong learning has earned him recognition from various educational institutions as:
•Trustee of the Harvard club of Nigeria from 2022 till present
•Trustee of the Harvard Kennedy School Nigeria Alumni from 2020 till present
•Board advisor of the Lagos Business School from 2019 till present
•Trustee of St. Augustine University from 2018 till present
•Global Alumni-elected Board member of Harvard Kennedy School from 2006 – 2010