The actuarial profession attracts people who appreciate structure, predictability and long‑term thinking. Ibukun Adejuyigbe, FCIA, fits within that world – but not neatly. What stands out about him is how naturally he has stepped beyond the roles traditionally defined for actuaries, building a career that moves confidently between pensions, statistics, insurance and investing. Rather than a straight line, his story reflects a pattern of noticing when an opportunity presents itself and being willing to follow where it leads.
Ibukun began his career in a traditional entry point for actuaries: pension consulting. After studying actuarial science at Western University, he joined WTW and was quickly immersed in valuations, funding rules and the demanding pace of client work. During this time, he also faced the familiar struggle of trying to progress through professional exams while working full time. The balancing act wasn’t easy, and for a while, he found it difficult to gain traction.
That changed when he made a deliberate shift in how he approached his studies. “I had a moment where I changed my focus and really took the exams much more seriously,” he explains. “From that point on, I was able to finish the exams relatively quickly.” Completing them cleared both mental and practical space – enough to consider different directions and ask new questions about what he might want to explore next.
This period of openness led him into graduate studies in statistics, followed by work in insurance and, later, a larger pivot into investing. Each step added something new to his skill set, eventually positioning him in a role that blends actuarial thinking with financial market insight.
Professional growth
Presently, Ibukun works in Russell Investments’ Toronto office, where his responsibilities span both asset‑only investment work and pension-related asset-liability and liability‑driven investment strategy. The actuarial component is one part of a broader role that blends market insight with long‑term financial analysis. This work requires understanding how long‑term obligations behave in different market environments, and how portfolios can be structured to support them. His actuarial background gives him an advantage in this space, particularly when it comes to interpreting pension plan dynamics and translating them into investment considerations.
“My background as an actuary certainly helps me in my day‑to‑day work and informs the work I do,” he says.
His actuarial expertise allows him to provide valuable context on Canadian regulatory requirements and funding approaches, offering perspective that complements the broader investment work of his team. His ability to connect pension design with investment strategy has made him a valuable voice in conversations that sit at the intersection of actuarial insight and financial decision making.
What makes this progression noteworthy is how fluidly he describes it. The shifts did not come from dissatisfaction or abrupt course changes but from a steady openness to learning and evolving.
Mentorship and volunteer engagement
Throughout his career, Ibukun has remained closely involved with the actuarial community. Mentorship has played a significant role, and he has offered it informally in multiple workplaces. Junior colleagues often seek his perspective on exam preparation, early career choices or the realities of different actuarial roles.
He has also been active with both the CIA and the Society of Actuaries as a volunteer. His contributions range from exam writing and grading to participating in research work and helping refine areas of the curriculum. His current service on the Institute’s FCIA retirement exam committee reflects his ongoing commitment to supporting the development of future actuaries. Beyond paying back to the profession, staying involved allows nets the positive of keeping him connected to retirement practice, even as much of his current work draws on investing and research.
On community and visibility
When Ibukun speaks about representation in the profession, his insights are grounded in personal experience and what he has observed from mentoring and volunteering. He knows that seeing other actuaries with diverse backgrounds can help new entrants feel more confident navigating the profession. Over time, he has participated in panels and discussions where he hoped sharing his experiences might offer useful perspective to students and early‑career professionals.
He also helped support an International Association of Black Actuaries’ initiative focused on exam preparation. This practical approach helps actuarial candidates connect with one another, share strategies and receive support from actuaries who have recently completed similar milestones. Efforts like these help strengthen pathways into the profession, especially for those who may not have built‑in access to networks or mentorship.
Skills for the evolving actuarial landscape
As the actuarial landscape evolves, Ibukun believes its boundaries will continue to expand. He sees more actuaries moving into roles that prioritize analytical thinking, modelling, and the ability to interpret complex information; whether that’s in risk management, data‑oriented fields, or investment‑focused work like his own.
He notes that coding will become increasingly important. While not traditionally emphasized in actuarial practice, programming is becoming essential to handling large data sets, working with modern modelling tools and collaborating on interdisciplinary teams. He expects this trend to influence actuarial education and broaden the technical expectations placed on new actuaries.
Investment and risk concepts will also become more integrated across all actuarial tracks. As organizations look for professionals who can understand uncertainty from multiple angles, actuaries will be well positioned to contribute, but only if they continue developing skills that go beyond the traditional syllabus.
Another change he anticipates is increased visibility. While many people outside insurance and pensions may still be unclear about what actuaries do, that awareness is slowly shifting as actuaries appear in more diverse roles. He sees this as a positive development that will help expand the profession’s reach and relevance.
Overall, Ibukun expects the next decade to bring more variety, more interdisciplinary work, and more opportunities for actuaries to apply their skills in ways that weren’t widely imagined a generation ago.
Life outside the profession
Outside work, Ibukun’s interests paint a rounded picture. He enjoys cooking and recently completed a certificate program at George Brown College’s School of Continuing Education, where he was able to experiment with new techniques and styles. He’s also an active reader and participates in multiple book clubs with rotating selections, which often introduce him to books he might not have chosen on his own. He’s also learning French and Hindi – pursuits he describes as both challenging and humbling. Yoga is part of his daily routine as well, providing structure and grounding amid a dynamic professional life.
Following the interesting path
Ibukun’s career has grown not from rigid planning but from curiosity. He remains open to possibility, willing to build on his skills and follow opportunities into new territory. For a profession sometimes perceived as structured or narrow, his journey is a reminder that actuarial training can lead in many directions – and that exploring those directions can create a fulfilling and distinctive career.
This article reflects the opinion of the author and does not represent an official statement of the CIA.