Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe

Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe ( born August 21, 1958 ) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, microfinance practitioner, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder of LAPO Microfinance Bank, a non-profit pro-poor financial institution headquartered in Benin, Edo. Ehigiamusoe specializes in microfinance, micro-insurance, agriculture, micro-leasing, healthcare, and education.
Ehigiamusoe’s charitable foundation focuses on the upliftment of people and contributing to helping people transform. He is the author of three books and is the recipient of several awards and honors. Ehigiamusoe has been featured in several media outlets for his groundbreaking work such as The Guardian, This Day Live, The National Online NG, Vanguard News, The Nation Newspaper, Naira Metrics, and others.
==Early life and education==
Ehigiamusoe earned his Bachelors in Sociology in 1981 and Master in Sociology of Development, with a specialization in Development Studies in 1996 degrees from the University of Benin. He then furthered his education and obtained a Doctorate in Policy and Development studies with emphasis on microfinance policy instruments and financial inclusion at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.
 
Ehigiamusoe has also participated in various educational and capacity building Programme such as the Financial Institution Programme for Enterprise Development, Kennedy School of Government, Chief Executive Programme (CEP), Lagos Business School(W), Lagos, Social Entrepreneurship Programme, INSEAD Business School, and Sustainable Banking, University of Edinburgh. 
==Career==
Ehigiamusoe since the beginning of his career worked in the microfinance sector as a rural cooperative officer. He founded LAPO (Lift Above Poverty Organization) in 2010. It is a pro-poor development organization with operations in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. He stepped down as the MD of LAPO Microfinance bank in November 2019. LAPO, under the leadership of Ehigiamusoe, has evolved into a vast collection of mutually reinforcing institutions/businesses providing social and economic empowerment services to Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
In 2012, Ehigiamusoe was appointed as the chairman of the Orange Insurance Brokers Limited, an insurance brokerage firm. Three years later he also became the chairman of Orange Printing and Publishing Company.
In 2019, Ehigiamusoe became the chairman of GOXI Microinsurance Company Limited, Nigeria’s first license specialized Microinsurance Company and Benin Medical Care, a medical and diagnostic facility in Benin City.
He also serves as the chairman of TDS technologies limited, LAPO Institute for Management Studies, and GOBETH Reliance Investment Company Limited.
==Publications==
* Understanding NGOs (1998)
* Poverty and Microfinance in Nigeria (2000)
* Issues in Microfinance: Enhancing Financial Inclusion (2011)
==Awards==
* D.Sc. (honoris causa) University of Benin, Benin City, 2016
* The FATE Foundation’s Model Entrepreneur, 2008
* The Professor Schwab Foundation’s (World Economic Forum) ‘Outstanding Social Entrepreneur, Africa, 2010
* Lagos Business School’s Distinguished Alumni Award, 2014
* Rotary Club of Benin‘s Award for outstanding contributions to human development, 2012
* Grameen Foundation’s Award for Excellence in Microfinance, 2006
==Personal life==
Ehigiamusoe is married to Ngozi Elizabeth Ehigiamusoe, and together they have five children. He is passionate about reading, writing, and watching documentaries.
==In the media==
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==References==
==External links==
* Personal Website
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Category:1958 births
Category:Entrepreneurs
Category:Philanthropists
Category:Investors
Category:University of Benin (Nigeria) alumni