Kemi Ojenike has emerged as a leading voice on wealth preservation and generational legacy. As Chief Operating Officer of Meristem Family Office, she advises high-net-worth families on estate planning, family governance, risk management, and sustainable wealth structuring. A trained lawyer and Chartered Governance Professional with the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, Kemi combines legal expertise with strategic insight into family wealth management. Beyond finance, she is also co-founder of The Destiny Trust, a non-profit organisation supporting vulnerable children through education, shelter, and empowerment initiatives. In this interview with KENNETH ATHEKAME, she spoke on why structured wealth creation remains limited in Nigeria, the mindset shifts required for long-term prosperity, and how families can build wealth that survives across generations. Excerpts:
Can you share your journey into wealth creation and what shaped your financial philosophy?
My journey into wealth creation started from observing people and patterns. I noticed that many intelligent and hardworking individuals earned good incomes, built businesses and acquired assets, yet still felt financially anxious or unprepared for the future.
At the same time, I saw families with significant resources struggle with trust, succession, communication and preserving what truly mattered to them. That experience shaped my understanding that wealth is much broader than money or visible assets.
Over time, I came to define wealth as something more complete. It includes financial capital, but also relationships, health, values, reputation, peace of mind and the wisdom to sustain success across generations.
My work has therefore focused on helping people build what
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