Bola Akindele
Adebola Ismail Akindele | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 25, 1963 Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, strategist, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | Group Managing Director of Courteville Business Solutions; Advisory board member of East Africa Business Network (EABN) |
Adebola Ismail Akindele (born 25 November 1963) is a prominent Nigerian businessman, strategist, and philanthropist. He currently holds the position of Group Managing Director at Courteville Business Solutions, a firm focused on IT services, consulting, and business process outsourcing. Additionally, he contributes as a member of the advisory board for the East Africa Business Network (EABN). African Business Central magazine recognized him as one of the "21 Nigerian tech CEOs excelling in their fields."
Early life and education
Born in Ibadan on 25 November 1963 and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Bola Akindele attended Ansar-Ud-deen College in Isolo, Lagos, from 1974 to 1979. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agriculture from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Furthering his education, he earned a master's degree in Banking & Finance at the University of Lagos in 1993 and completed a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at the International School of Management (Paris). Akindele is also an alumnus of prestigious institutions such as London Business School, INSEAD, and Lagos Business School.
Career
Bola Akindele serves as Group Managing Director of Courteville Business Solutions Plc., an enterprise specializing in IT consultancy and business process outsourcing.
His professional journey began with an internship as an Audit Trainee at KPMG Nigeria. In 1989, he joined the Central Bank of Nigeria, where he progressed to roles including Treasurer/Financial Controller for the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) and Bank Examiner conducting audit reviews. By 1993, he transitioned to Oceanic Bank as Group Head of Commercial Banking and subsequently took on the role of Divisional Head for Markets at Fountain Trust Bank, which has since ceased operations.
In 2004, Akindele assumed the role of CEO at Courteville Investment Limited. The organization went public and rebranded as Courteville Business Solutions Plc in 2011, with Akindele appointed as Group Managing Director. Under his guidance, the company expanded its footprint across 20 states within Nigeria and established over 200 franchise outlets.
Beyond this, he chairs several companies including Virtuality Consulting Limited, Bolbis Ventures, Leading Traders Company, Dajayaal Limited, and Regis & Reinas Hospital. He also holds a board position at Synergy Capital and Advisory Limited.
Corporate Memberships and Affiliations
Akindele plays significant roles within various regional and global business entities. Notably, he is the only African serving on the Advisory Board of Enterprise and Parliamentary Dialogue International (EPDI), a UK-based nonprofit organization that promotes collaboration between parliamentarians and businesses.
He is also an advisory board member for the East Africa Business Network (EABN).
Awards and recognition
Bola Akindele’s leadership and contributions to Africa’s business and education sectors have earned him numerous accolades. Among these is an Honorary Fellowship awarded by Ravensbourne College, UK. He was featured among 21 Nigerian CEOs driving progress in technology and ranked among Nigeria’s top 25 chief executives.
Key awards include:
- Technology Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Technology Award (2015)
- Outstanding Commitment to Nigerian ICT Industry Development at the Nigerian Top Tech Titans Award (2016)
- Outstanding CEO of the Year at the Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award (2015)
These distinctions highlight Akindele’s significant role in advancing technological innovation and corporate governance within Nigeria’s business community.
Personal life
Bola Akindele has been honored with several traditional chieftaincy titles, such as Otunba Tayese of Ogijo Land and Otunba Bobaselu of Ejirin Land, both located in Lagos. Additionally, he was bestowed the Islamic designation of Balogun Adinni at the Olorun Gbebe Central Mosque in Mushin, Lagos.
He is wedded to Olabisi Sidiquat Akindele, and together they have four children. The family maintains membership at Ikoyi Club Lagos.