Johnbull Okpara on workplace discrimination
From The Story of Becoming with Johnbull Okpara (Citigroup Controller & Chief Accounting Officer) · · WhosWhoDiasporaTheNigerianStory
“There's prejudice, there's conscious bias — every day — but I've learned: don't take anything personal, be objective and detach from things so you can keep focusing on the objectives.”
On , Johnbull Okpara, Former Chief Accounting Officer & Controller at Citigroup Inc, spoke about workplace discrimination during The Story of Becoming with Johnbull Okpara (Citigroup Controller & Chief Accounting Officer) on WhosWhoDiasporaTheNigerianStory.
About Johnbull Okpara
In a November 2021 interview on "The Story of Becoming," Johnbull Okpara, then Controller and Chief Accounting Officer at Citigroup, discussed his career journey and offered advice for professionals. Okpara described Citigroup as "the most global bank out there" and noted that he initially studied chemistry at the University of Jos in Nigeria before entering the financial industry. He stated that key factors for success in corporate America include focusing on "results that matter" and building relationships, adding that "you cannot underestimate the importance of relationships." Okpara acknowledged the presence of "prejudice" and "conscious bias" in the workplace, but advised not to take things personally and to remain objective. He recounted an incident where someone assumed he did not lead the division he had been announced to run, saying that after a town hall meeting the individual later worked for him. Okpara also emphasized the importance of integrity, stating that "the biggest issue with foreign investment coming into Nigeria is integrity," and encouraged building relationships with people who "don't look like you and who hold power." He described himself as a "learning machine" and advised persistence, noting that "the second you want to give up might be the second it's about to turn for you."