Godwin Ehigiamusoe PhD is an outstanding entrepreneur and a foremost microfinance expert, who has applied the concept of social enterprise to successfully build thriving enterprises which address social, environmental, and economic needs of people and communities. His business interests span across microfinance, microinsurance, agriculture, micro-leasing, healthcare, technology, publishing, real estate, and education.
Dr. Ehigiamusoe contributed to the development of microfinance and enterprise development in Africa. He actively participated in the formulation process of the Nigerian microfinance Policy, Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines.
He is the founder of LAPO (Lift Above Poverty Organization) a successful pro-poor non-governmental organization, and the founder of LAPO Microfinance Bank, where he was Managing Director until his retirement in 2019. He has founded several businesses which have evolved into a vast collection of mutually reinforcing institutions/businesses providing social and economic empowerment services to millions of people in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and a master’s degree in Sociology of Development from the University of Benin and earned a Doctorate degree in Policy and Development studies with emphasis on microfinance policy instruments and financial inclusion at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. He has attended management development programs at Harvard Kennedy School, Lagos Business School, INSEAD Business School Singapore Campus; and IESE Business School, Barcelona.
He currently chairs many boards and board committees within Nigeria and Sierra Leone.