Abiola Adelana is the Tourism and Creative Art Business Head at Sterling Bank, where she is responsible for revitalizing the tourism business in Nigeria and establishing sustainable financial models to support the growth of domestic tourism. With over 15 years of experience in risk management, strategy, and retail banking, she brings a wealth of expertise and vision to the industry.

She is a trained economist from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University and holds an MBA in Finance. Abiola has also completed the Executive Education Programme on Sustainable Business at Harvard Business School. A member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and an Associate Member of the Association of Women Bankers in Nigeria, she serves on the Domestic Tourism and Economic Development Working Committee for Nigeria, coordinated by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.

Abiola is deeply passionate about using her skills and training to build strong structures that will position local tourism as a major contributor to Nigeria's GDP. Under her leadership, the Tourism Business Desk at Sterling Bank has earned multiple national and international awards, becoming the first financial institution in Nigeria to recognize and actively promote the potential of domestic tourism.

Her impact has been recognized across the tourism and creative industries. She received an award as one of the best promoters of tourism in Nigeria by ATQ Africa Travel and was named among the 100 Culturati Most Influential Personalities in 2021.

In 2020, she was appointed Adire Osun Brand Ambassador by the Governor of Osun State. She was also nominated for the Rising Star of the Year (Tourism) at the 2022 Pyne Awards Africa and received a special recognition award on International Women's Day for outstanding performance in Banking and Finance, specifically for her creative expansion into the tourism business. This award was presented by the 'A Woman Like You' organization in Lagos.

Abiola is also an Advisory Board Member for Solution17 for Climate Action and Tourism Investment Africa. She serves as a Board of Trustees Member for the Olowe of Ise Art Foundation, a role she was appointed to by the Executive Governor of Ekiti State.

In addition to her professional and advisory responsibilities, Abiola is the Co-founder of Aegis Global Advisory and Pashione. She is a passionate champion of African creativity and innovation.

Her major goal is to see Nigeria become the prime tourism destination in Africa. She believes strongly in the possibility of this vision and continues to work tirelessly toward making it a reality.