Debola is an experienced finance and investment professional with a proven track record in leading, advising, and investing in large companies. He has over 16 years of experience spanning investment banking, private equity, principal investing, and corporate leadership across North America, Europe, and Africa.
Debola is currently the Group Head, Investments at UAC of Nigeria Plc (UAC), where he is responsible for driving value creation and growth across UAC’s portfolio companies, and seeking new investment opportunities for the group. He also serves as the Executive Vice Chairman at UAC Restaurants Limited (UACR), where he is responsible for the financial outcomes of the business. He previously served as the Managing Director of UACR for two years, where he led the turnaround of the business through the roll-out of corporate-owned restaurants across Nigeria, leading to over 65% growth in revenue. Prior to UACR, Debola was an Investment Executive at UAC where he managed the Group’s interests in the Food and Beverage sectors. Debola sits on the Boards of Livestock Feeds Plc and MDS Logistics Limited.
Prior to joining UAC in 2019, Debola was a Principal at Themis Capital Management (Themis), an active investment company focused on concentrating capital, talent, and expertise on a select number of long-term investments in companies that will benefit from Africa’s demographic trends. Debola previously spent over 10 years as a Corporate Finance Executive in various leading investment banks, including Standard Bank in Lagos, London, and Johannesburg, and Morgan Stanley in New York.
Debola graduated with a B.Sc in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia and holds MBA degrees from both Columbia Business School and London Business School.
Debola joined the Board of Grand Cereals Limited on July 26, 2023
