Yaya Lawal is a holder of B.Sc (Hons) Banking and Finance from the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye Nigeria. He is also an Associate of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and Institute of Capital Market Registrars (ICMR).

Yaya began his Investment Banking career in 1986 when he joined Registrars Department of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. In 1992, he left Union Bank for City Securities (Registrars) Ltd (FCMB Capital Market Sub Group). He became a Management Executive in 1999 and served in various capacities before attaining the position of Assistant Manager/Group Head, Operations in 2004. He joined First Registrar in 2005.

He was actively involved in the successful completion of various issues/public offers such as WAPCO Rights Issue (2005), FCMB, IPO(2005) Prudent Bank IPO (2005) Total/Elf Merger(2001) among others.

He is married with children.