About Akinade Akanmu (Sen.)

Biography of Dr. Akinade Ogunbiyi

Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi is a Nigerian businessman, insurance expert, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and politician from Osun State. He is widely known as the founder and Group Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc and has been actively involved in business, community development, and politics.

Akinade Ogunbiyi was born on 12 September 1962 in Ile-Ogbo, Osun State, into a farming family. His upbringing exposed him to the importance of hard work, enterprise, and community service.

He received his early education in Ile-Ogbo before proceeding to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he studied Agricultural Economics and graduated in 1986. He later pursued further studies in management and industrial relations, including an Executive Master's programme at the International Graduate School of Management in Barcelona and postgraduate studies at the University of Lagos.

Ogunbiyi developed an early interest in insurance while studying at university. His undergraduate research focused on agricultural insurance, an emerging field in Nigeria at the time. Following his studies, he began his professional career with NICON Insurance Corporation, where he worked in research, planning, and economic and business development.

He later worked with Finance and Insurance Experts Limited before establishing his own insurance business. In 1995, he founded Mutual Benefits Assurance, which subsequently developed into the Mutual Benefits Group, with interests extending beyond insurance into several areas of business and investment.

Under his leadership, Mutual Benefits grew into a major Nigerian business group. Ogunbiyi's professional interests have included insurance, real estate, finance, agriculture, investment, and other commercial activities. His business career has also provided employment opportunities and supported entrepreneurship.

Beyond business, Ogunbiyi has developed a strong reputation for philanthropy and community development. Through his philanthropic activities, he has supported education, scholarships, youth development, healthcare, agriculture, and community projects, particularly in Osun State.

He has maintained a strong connection with Ile-Ogbo and has supported educational and development initiatives in the community. His philanthropic activities have included providing scholarships and supporting students pursuing secondary, tertiary, and professional education.

Ogunbiyi entered active partisan politics in 2018, joining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and seeking the party's nomination to contest the Osun State governorship election. He contested the PDP governorship primary but lost the nomination to Ademola Adeleke.

He remained involved in Osun State politics and later left the PDP. In 2022, he contested the Osun State governorship election under the platform of the Accord Party. His campaign emphasized economic development, industrialisation, agriculture, employment creation, education, and improved governance.

Ogunbiyi has continued to participate in political activities in Osun State. His experience in business has influenced his political philosophy, particularly his emphasis on wealth creation, investment, entrepreneurship, employment, and human-capital development.

He has also been involved in professional organisations and corporate leadership. His experience in the insurance industry has earned him recognition within Nigeria's business and professional communities.

Through his career as an insurance expert, entrepreneur, corporate executive, philanthropist, and politician, Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi has established himself as a notable figure from Osun State. His public activities have particularly focused on business development, education, philanthropy, agriculture, youth empowerment, employment creation, and community development.