Joke Bakare

Chief Executive, Medplus

Joke Bakare is the founder and chief executive of Medplus Pharmacy. The Nigerian entrepreneur founded the country's largest retail pharmacy chain in 1993 with a single store in Lagos, having trained as a pharmacist in New York City before returning home to reshape Nigeria's healthcare and beauty landscape. Under her leadership, Medplus has grown into Nigeria's leading beauty destination, stocking global dermatologist-trusted brands such as CeraVe and La Roche-Posay alongside K-beauty favourites including CosRx, Anua and Beauty of Joseon. Bakare is also Chair of the Medplus Cares Foundation, which supports maternal health across the continent.