Kamar Adeolu writes that Oyo State deserves a technocrat, policy-strategist bridge-builder, and a governor with management competence come February, 2027.
Akim Adebola Yusuf towers above all different candidates in the forthcoming race to Agodi Government House in 2027.
His efficiency speaks to it. Available data affirm it. At simply 57, this son of Oluyole soil effortlessly shows the noble rules of achieved management, environment friendly administration with Omoluabi, the ennobling qualities of chic traits. Here is a person of integrity, honour, studying, character, and sound achievements.
Schooled and Rooted for Service
Yusuf’s upbringing and academic preparation replicate serendipity: a dedication to excellence, service and a predestined pathway.
He attended and accomplished his secondary schooling on the extremely respected Government College, Ibadan (GCI), the crucible of the outdated Western Region’s meritocratic custom in 1984.
He then proceeded to the University of Ilorin and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 1988. In 1997, he bought a Master of Industrial and Labour Relations (MILR) from University of Ibadan. From the identical college, he bought Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2002.
By dint of onerous work, he earned his skilled qualification as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in 2000.
In 2014, he bought deeply embedded in nationwide and worldwide governance buildings by the celebrated National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) Kuru following his completion of Senior Executive Course 36 and subsequently acquired the globally rated and extremely acknowledged mni designation — the quiet badge of Nigeria’s strategic elite.
Success Across Borders
Long earlier than politics beckoned, Yusuf had conquered Banking and Finance, two of essentially the most demanding however very rewarding developmental sectors of each nation’s economic system.
As Managing Director/CEO of Skye Bank (Gambia) Limited (2009–2013), he efficiently ran full banking operations on overseas soil — a take a look at of management, adaptability, and monetary stewardship that few Nigerian executives ever face.
Based on excellent efficiency, the system reinvited him as Transition Managing Consultant for Skye Bank (Sierra Leone) Limited in 2019.
From 2016 until date, he has been serving as Asset Management Partner of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) — the nation’s decision car the place distressed belongings are recovered and monetary stability is quietly defended.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB, 2014), he’s no dabbler in finance, moderately, he’s an institution-builder with cross-border expertise that Oyo State desperately wants to draw funding, create jobs and company growth.
An Impressive Governance Résumé
What really distinguishes Yusuf from the standard aspirant is that he had truly ruled at numerous ranges, completely different locations and quite a few occasions.
He served as a Special Adviser on Due Process, Policy and Budget Implementation to former Oyo State Governor, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja’s administration in 2005–2007. In this place, he sat on the nexus of Oyo State’s administration — imposing fiscal self-discipline and making certain that budgets delivered actual worth to the folks.
In 2017, he served as Special Adviser (Digital Transformation) to the then Minister of Communication, bringing federal-level coverage depth and a digital economic system imaginative and prescient to his portfolio.
In 2003, he established The Fortune Group, a pro-active revered good-governance advocacy think-tank. This reveals an envisioned chief who had been getting ready for governance lengthy earlier than looking for votes. This candidate just isn’t a novice in governance. He is aware of the ropes. He is not going to get to energy to experiment or govern by trial and error.
He has actively mixed the attributes of a technocrat with deep company governance experience. It is uncommon, if not not possible, to discover a governorship candidate so steeped in competence.
Honours, from completely different sources, have adopted his work: Justice of the Peace, Oyo State (2007); Member of the National Institute (mni) (2014); Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (2014); and Honorary Doctorate of Science in Public Administration, IBLT University, Lomé, Togo (2023).
Through hands-on expertise, he has mastered governance successfully and effectively. Oyo State shouldn’t miss this uncommon alternative to elect Yusuf, an achieved man.
Tested, Groomed and Grown
Unlike first-time contenders, Yusuf has felt the furnace of electoral politics and has emerged stronger.
In 2023, he flew the flag of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the Oyo governorship race, ending fifth of 16 candidates — a extremely commendable displaying for an outsider platform, and clear proof of grassroots attraction and electoral viability.
Now, as the Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for 2027, he returns to the world not as a novice however as a battle-tested, better-organised and extra broadly accepted contender.
Yusuf, Oyo State’s Best Choice
Oyo State stands at a crossroads. It wants greater than slogans; it wants substance. More than reputation; it wants competence. More than guarantees; it wants confirmed efficiency. This candidate’s achievements communicate to focus, efficiency and influence which resonates on the grassroots, home, nationwide and worldwide ranges.
He is suave but substantive, educated but humble and accessible, achieved in the boardroom but conversant with the burdens of the ward on the grassroots — Yusuf gives a uncommon synthesis:
For the Economy: A technocrat who has managed banks, budgets, monetary sources throughout West Africa can actually develop Oyo State’s economic system.
For Governance: A due course of professional who will entrench transparency, self-discipline and value-for-money.
For the Future: A digital transformation strategist who will place Oyo youths for the roles of tomorrow.
For Unity: A bridge-builder whose profession spans banking and budgeting, state and federal service, grassroots and international publicity.
In a state hungry for resounding, character-driven and cosmopolitan management, the case for this Oluyole-born technocrat-politician writes itself. Oyo doesn’t simply want a governor. It wants an Omoluabi. In Akim Adebola Yusuf, it has discovered him.
-Adeolu writes from Ibadan.
