Eclectic and energetic, Ayiri Oladunmoye, the CEO of Oaken Events and brains behind Atinuda Premium Conference, has a vision to bridge the gap in Nigeria’s event management industry. She is one of the most talented creative women in the industry. Her annual conference that parades speakers from across the world is a reference point.
With a passion for event management, Oladunmoye began her career in the event planning industry, when she planned her own wedding in 2002 and several other events for charity organizations and friends. Urged by family and friends to pursue her passion in event management, led to the creation of Oaken Events, a full-service event design, consultation and management company, in 2009.
Atinuda is the largest gathering of event businesses in Africa held annually to raise standards within the event industry in Africa. She was also recently recognised as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent global class of 2018, Business and Entrepreneurship Category. “My background was in HR. I have over 10 years’ experience in HR. I worked in Intercontinental Bank now Access Bank, I was there for 6 years. After which I worked at children international school for another four years. It was at that point I decided to pursue and follow my passion which is has always been event planning. I was always in one committee planning an event when I was at Intercontinental Bank at that time. At some point I decided that this is what I wanted to do,” she explained.
“I will say to a very large extent we do have a lot of support from the industry, so there are certain aspect we get to do like a trade by barter, so that helps in reducing the cost. And as much as possible we rely on previous relationship or friendship with other people.”