Adenike Macaulay started working with Wakanow in July 2021, when she became the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In this capacity, she was responsible for steering the company’s commercial strategies, focusing on enhancing customer experiences and expanding market reach.
Wakanow is a leading travel technology company in Africa established to cater to travellers’ diverse needs. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, holiday packages, visa assistance, and COVID-19 testing arrangements.
Headquatered in Nigeria, Wakanow has expanded its reach to other African markets, including Ghana, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United Kingdom (UK). By integrating technology with travel services, Wakanow ensures its customers get seamless and user-friendly experience, making it a go-to plug for all travel-related requirements.
Before joining Wakanow, Adenike Macaulay had already established herself as a formidable force in the aviation industry. She made history as the first female and first Nigerian to be appointed General Manager of Sales for the Lufthansa Group in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. In this role, she led teams across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Malabo, overseeing all commercial and sales activities for the group in the region.
In January 2023, Wakanow, Nigeria’s leading travel tech company, appointed Macaulay as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for its Nigerian operations. Since assuming the CEO role, Macaulay has been driving the company’s growth and expansion.
Under her leadership, Wakanow has embarked on a groundbreaking multi-city roadshow, the Wakanow Express, covering 16 states across Nigeria. This initiative aimed to showcase the brand, provide customers exciting travel opportunities, and enhance its presence in existing and new markets. To strengthen this initiative, the company secured a $40 million investment from The Carlyle Group to support its expansion plans.
In addition to the roadshow, Wakanow launched a regional corporate travel office in Abuja to provide quality travel services and contribute positively to the Nigerian economy. This development caters to the travel needs of the corporate and public sectors in the Federal Capital Territory and the Northern region, setting new standards for service excellence.
The company has leveraged the power of partnerships to skyrocket its growth and enhance service delivery. A notable collaboration with Dana Airlines positioned it as the only official online travel agency with Dana Airlines, Nigeria’s live inventory bookable in real time, enabling a seamless customer booking experience.
Beyond business growth, the platform also launched the Wakacares CSR programme, which focuses on empowering youths and women aspiring to be entrepreneurs in the travel industry. Collaborations with Women In Management, Business & Public Service (WIMBIZ) have provided specialised training, promoted gender equality, and facilitated community economic growth.
Adenike Macaulay holds an MBA from the University of Warwick in the UK and a BSc in Systems Engineering from the University of Lagos. Her strategic leadership has expanded the company’s footprint and enriched the travel experiences of countless Nigerians.
