Bola Oyebamiji Biography: Age, Early Life, Career, Wife, Children, Politics, Net Worth

Who Is Bola Oyebamiji?

Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji is a renowned Nigerian politician, banker, economist and public administrator from Ikire, Osun State. He has built a career that stretches from commercial banking and investment management to state and federal government.

Oyebamiji became a prominent figure in Osun State politics after serving as Commissioner for Finance under former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.

He later moved into federal public service, where he became the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

In politics, he is popularly known as AMBO and is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He emerged as the party’s candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election, putting his background in finance and administration at the centre of his campaign.

Early Life

Bola Oyebamiji was born on November 17, 1965, in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State. He spent his childhood in the town and began his education there.

He attended A.D.C. Primary School, Oke-Ada, Ikire, from 1971 to 1977. He then proceeded to Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire, where he completed his secondary education in 1982.

Oyebamiji went on to study Banking and Finance at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he obtained his Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma.

He furthered his education with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University, which he obtained in 1997. In 2004, he earned an MBA from the University of Ado-Ekiti.

His professional development also included membership and fellowship of banking, economic and management institutions. His educational background in finance and public administration would later become particularly relevant to the positions he held in both the private and public sectors.

Career

Bola Oyebamiji began his professional career in the banking industry and spent more than two decades working in different areas of financial services.

He started at Wema Bank Plc, where he worked in the International Banking Division. In 1998, he moved to Trans International Bank Plc, where he rose through the management ranks and eventually became Head of the Lagos Region.

Oyebamiji later joined Spring Bank Plc, where he worked as Head of Business Development. In 2009, he moved to Enterprise Bank, taking responsibility for its Retail Business Unit.

His years in banking gave him experience in financial management, business development, retail banking, credit, investment and corporate administration. That experience eventually opened the door to a career in public-sector management.

In 2012, during the administration of former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Oyebamiji was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL). The organisation was later restructured and became known as Omoluabi Holdings Limited.

His performance at the investment company helped establish his reputation within Osun’s public-sector establishment and preceded his appointment as Commissioner for Finance.

Oyebamiji subsequently served as Finance Commissioner under Aregbesola and later continued in the same portfolio under Gboyega Oyetola. His time at the ministry placed him at the centre of the state’s financial administration and gave him considerable visibility within Osun politics.

His relationship with Oyetola continued after Oyetola left the Osun governorship. In 2023, Oyebamiji was appointed as a Special Adviser to Oyetola, who had become Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

Later that year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved his appointment as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority. He became the eighth person to lead the agency in that capacity.

At NIWA, Oyebamiji’s responsibilities covered an organisation involved in the development, regulation and management of Nigeria’s inland waterways. His appointment also brought his experience in finance and public administration into a federal institution with an important role in the country’s transportation and maritime economy.

Oyebamiji’s move back into electoral politics was not entirely new. He had previously sought the APC governorship ticket in 2018, although he did not eventually contest the election as the party’s candidate.

He returned to the race years later and emerged as the APC candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election. His campaign has centred on economic development, agriculture, education, healthcare, employment, security and poverty reduction.

During the campaign, Oyebamiji presented his experience in banking and government as part of his case for leading Osun State. He has repeatedly spoken about the need to address poverty and hunger while investing in education, healthcare, agriculture and human capital.

He also unveiled the PROSPERITY Agenda as part of his campaign programme, with emphasis on improving the welfare of residents and expanding development beyond the state’s urban centres.

Oyebamiji’s political network has included several prominent figures. His years under Aregbesola and Oyetola gave him strong connections within the Osun APC, while his federal appointment brought him into the wider political structure of the Tinubu administration.

Ahead of the 2026 election, prominent APC figures also rallied around his candidacy. Olagunsoye Oyinlola publicly supported him, while Iyiola Omisore became part of the political consultations surrounding efforts to strengthen the APC’s position in Osun.

In the final stage of the campaign, Ekiti State Governor Abiodun Oyebanji and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo met with Omisore as part of efforts to secure additional political support for Oyebamiji.

The 2026 election has placed Oyebamiji against incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking another term, and Najeem Salaam, the African Democratic Congress candidate and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly. The three have been among the most visible contenders in the election.

Personal Life

Bola Oyebamiji is married to Dr. Sekinah Bola-Oyebamiji, a medical doctor and academic. Dr. Sekinah has built her own career in medicine, particularly in obstetrics and gynaecology. She has been associated with Osun State University and the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where she has worked in the medical and academic fields.

She became President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Osun State chapter, and has been involved in advocacy and initiatives focused on women and children’s health.

Oyebamiji has publicly spoken about his wife’s professional achievements and described her as an important part of his family. She has also participated in activities connected to his political campaign and community engagements.

The couple have children. However, their children’s names and private details have not been consistently disclosed in reliable public sources. Oyebamiji has largely kept his children’s lives away from the political spotlight, so there is no need to attach unverified names or personal information to them.

Oyebamiji is also known for his connection to his hometown of Ikire and has remained involved in community-focused activities in Osun State throughout his public career.

Bola Oyebamiji’s Social Media

• Twitter (X): @OyebamijiBola
• Facebook: @OyebamijiBola
• Instagram: @OyebamijiBola
• YouTube: @OyebamijiBola

Bola Oyebamiji’s Net Worth

Bola Oyebamiji reportedly worth an estimated net worth of $700 million

His career has included senior banking positions, leadership of a state-owned investment company, service as a state commissioner and leadership of a federal agency.

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Chriz Joe

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