Sir: Oladapo Abdul-Rahman Okubadejo, the Ogun State chief economic adviser and commissioner for finance, is a man of many parts. With a professional career spanning over three decades and a vast experience encompassing economics, international finance, policy planning, and investment promotion, it is difficult, if not impossible, to sum up his intimidating resume in one word.

He has demonstrated leadership and strategic thinking in various fields. His impressive background indicates a wealth of knowledge and accomplishments.

Okubadejo, who graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife, Osun State in 1990 with a Second Class Upper Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, began his professional career at Arthur Andersen (now known as KPMG) in 1992. Within his short stint in the global professional firm that provides a range of services, including audit and assurance, tax advisory and strategic advice on businesses and operations, he demonstrated deep understanding and expertise in economics, finance, and policy planning.

Due to his extraordinary brilliance and impressive performance, he won the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Scholarship for a fully funded Master’s degree programme in the UK in 2002. Upon completion of the programme, he resumed back at KPMG in 2003.

Having earned promotion as an Equity Partner in 2006, he was subsequently appointed as the head of Private Equity and Deal Advisory for West Africa and Africa in 2009 and 2012 respectively.

Leveraging his international exposure, he has acquired a proven track record of competence and the ability to lead and inspire teams to achieve set goals. As the Senior Partner and Africa Head of Private Equity and Deal Advisory, Okubadejo led the teams providing corporate finance, transaction advisory and corporate restructuring advisory services across Africa.

His strategic thinking capacity and ability to analyse complex issues and develop effective solutions led to his engagement as a corporate financial and investment  adviser to many multinationals,  foreign and local companies as well as a consultant and adviser to many public sector organisations, including the Federal Government of  Nigeria, BPE, CBN,  NIPOST,  NNPC,  Nitel/Mtel,  NEPA, etc.

Additionally, as an expert on International Finance, he has left his imprints in other international organisations such as development financial institutions; multilateral/donor agencies such as the World Bank,  International  Finance  Corporation  (IFC),  Africa  Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) and many sub-national governments in Nigeria and across Africa. 

With his wealth of experience in development finance and economics, Okubadejo has played significant roles in the formulation and implementation of economic policies for sustainable economic growth, macro-economic stability, export promotion through industrialisation, employment generation, infrastructure financing, poverty alleviation, amongst others.

Drawing from his vast knowledge and global experience across different disciplines, he has written many articles and delivered many lectures on investment opportunities in Africa, doing business in Nigeria, project finance and private equity.

Through high level engagements, he has won many international awards and recognition. These include the 2018 Global Financial Advisor Award for the second consecutive year by the Private Equity Africa organisation.

He is an alumnus of INSEAD France, Harvard Business School USA, London Business School UK, Gordon Institute of Business Studies South Africa and Lagos Business School Nigeria, where he obtained certificates in several leadership and management development.

In his search for competent and talented individuals who would join hands with him to run his administration, Governor Dapo Abiodun appointed him as the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) and Commissioner for Finance in July and December 2019 respectively.

Under his watch, Ogun State has achieved great transformation, evolving into the leading industrial hub and most resilient economy in Nigeria.

Femi Ogbonnikan wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State.