Open to opportunities

Gideon Okafor

@gideonokafor

I lead enterprise internal audit and risk assurance, strengthening controls, governance, and compliance across multi-entity operations.

Nigeria

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can lead risk-based internal audit and strengthen ICFR, governance, and compliance—delivering independent assurance to executive leadership and audit committees, while driving measurable remediation and continuous control improvement.

I’m an internal audit and risk leader with 15+ years of experience delivering independent assurance, risk oversight, and internal control optimization across complex, multi-entity environments. I focus on leading risk-based audit functions aligned with enterprise objectives while providing clear assurance to executive leadership, audit committees, and board-level stakeholders.

As Head of Internal Audit, I’ve directed an enterprise-wide internal audit strategy, executing 30+ risk-based engagements annually and reducing control deficiencies materially through ICFR-aligned frameworks. I oversee audits covering a ₦1.2B+ inventory portfolio, deliver 50+ executive-level audit reports, and drive remediation that mitigates risks exceeding ₦100M. I also coordinate audit planning to ensure 100% execution on time, strengthen financial governance across ₦500M transaction volumes, and lead fraud investigations and compliance reviews.

Before this role, I combined accounting rigor with control improvement—implementing financial controls that reduced budget overruns, improving vendor payment and reconciliation processes, and supporting audit readiness for multinational clients. Throughout my career, my approach is consistent: align to IIA standards and regulatory requirements, use measurable insights to strengthen governance and ICFR, and lead teams through coaching and capacity development.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Head of Internal Audit

Current

Vixa Pharmaceutical Limited

Aug 2024 - Present (1 year 8 months)

Directed enterprise-wide internal audit strategy, executing 30+ risk-based audit engagements annually across finance, operations, and inventory. Reduced control deficiencies by 55%, oversaw audits covering ₦1.2B+ inventory and resolved ₦175M+ discrepancies, and delivered 50+ executive reports driving remediation that mitigated risks exceeding ₦100M.

Internal Auditing Audit Recommendation Tracking GRC (Governance Team Leadership

Production Accountant

Therismos Networks Limited

Oct 2022 - Jul 2024 (1 year 9 months)

Implemented financial control mechanisms that reduced budget overruns by 15% (₦35M+ savings annually). Managed ₦800M+ production budgets and delivered audit-driven variance analysis preventing ₦30M+ cost leakages while improving vendor payment and reconciliation efficiency by 25%.

Financial Control Reconciliations Production Budgets

Senior Accountant

Uche Nwokedi & Co.

Sep 2010 - Aug 2023 (12 years 11 months)

Led audit readiness and compliance for multinational clients, ensuring alignment with international standards. Designed and implemented internal control systems reducing discrepancies by 15%, improved cost efficiency by 10%, and supervised a team of 6 to improve reporting timelines by 20%, supporting ₦500M+ client engagements.

Internal Controls Budgeting & Forecasting Team Leadership Financial Reporting

Agency Supervisor

Bon Voyage Travel (Nig.) Ltd

Jun 2007 - Aug 2010 (3 years 2 months)

Directed operational and financial activities, increasing client retention by 70%. Identified and recovered ₦10M+ revenue leakages through audit and reconciliation processes, and increased revenue by 12% through process improvements and service optimization.

Operational Finance Process Improvement Customer Retention Stakeholder Management

Account Officer

AIICO Insurance Plc

Aug 2005 - Jun 2008 (2 years 10 months)

Managed client portfolios, increasing renewals by 20%. Improved customer satisfaction by 25% through tailored financial advisory and support.

Renewals Customer Advisory Financial Services Support Relationship Management Performance Tracking

Account Officer

ExxonMobil Oil Nigeria Plc

Nov 2001 - Jul 2004 (2 years 8 months)

Managed financial reporting for ₦200M+ monthly operations, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Reduced reporting turnaround time by 30% and improved inventory control systems, cutting stock variances by 15%.

Financial Reporting & Compliance Inventory Control Process Improvement