Executive Leader | Banking Operations Expert | Innovation Advocate | Public Speaker
Tella Fatai is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at The Alternative Bank, a member of Sterling Financial Holding Company in Nigeria. His career spans leading institutions such as UBA, Ecobank, and Sterling Bank, where he has consistently delivered excellence across banking operations, process re-engineering, digital transformation, and customer service.
FT holds a B.Sc. in Building, an M.Sc. in Construction Management, and an MBA, all from the prestigious University of Lagos. His academic foundation in structured thinking, project delivery, and strategic management has been further deepened by executive education programs from globally renowned institutions. He has completed advanced leadership and digital transformation courses from the University of Cambridge, Saïd Business School (University of Oxford), INSEAD, and other Ivy League-affiliated platforms, with a growing focus on Artificial Intelligence and its role in organizational efficiency.
A former Chief Data Officer, FT played a pioneering role in embedding data analytics and digital intelligence into operational strategy. At The Alternative Bank, he leads multifunctional teams driving automation, AI adoption, customer-centered innovation, and enterprise-wide process improvement.
He is a seasoned public speaker and thought leader, frequently invited to speak at conferences and corporate leadership
FT is also a respected writer with over 11,000 LinkedIn followers, where he shares thought-provoking articles on leadership, innovation, ethical business, and productivity. His storytelling style blends real-world experience with strategic insights that resonate across all career levels.
As a faculty member at Rome Business School, FT brings a unique blend of academic rigor, industry expertise, and global perspective—offering students a rich, practical, and transformative learning experience.