Timothy Adeola Odutola

Timothy Adeola Odutola was born on June 16th, 1902 in his hometown of Ijebu Ode in Ogun state, Nigeria to Prince Sanni Odutola Seyindemi. He was a famous Nigeria business man, a pioneer entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

Timothy Adeola Odutola Age

Timothy Adeola Odutola would have been 121 years old, if he were alive today. May his soul rest in peace.

Timothy Adeola Odutola Early Life

Odutola attended St. Saviour's School, Italupe. He however, left at the age of fifteen after the death of his father. He was transferred to Ile-Ife by his family to relieve his mother's burden of fending for him and his siblings. He however, later returned to Ijebu Ode to re-unite with his family to complete his secondary education. He attended the Ijebu Ode Grammar school for four years. After cutting short his secondary education, he left for Lagos to fend for himself. He became a clerk in various departments of the Lagos Colony and later, in the Ijebu Native Administration. He occupied his spare time by engaging in private trading from 1921-1932.

Timothy Adeola Odutola Career

Odutola was an important contributor to Nigeria's manufacturing sector, creating a multimillion-dollar conglomerate including three factories, a retail franchise, a cattle ranch, a 5,000-acre plantation, a sawmill, and an exporting business before the end of British colonial rule in 1960. Seizing business opportunities as he saw demand, Odutola moved between markets at every opportunity, creating companies servicing a diverse variety of needs. 

Odutola's keen, unwavering interest in improving the infrastructure of Nigeria allowed him to enjoy a successful career in business and politics, despite the vastly fluctuating political landscape of Nigeria. From British rule through civil war and subsequent coups and countercoups, Odutola remained a popular leader for his commitment to promoting Nigerian business ventures. 

Elevated to Prime Minister of his tribe - the Ijebu-Ode - in 1956, and later selected as the first President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Odutola campaigned for manufacturing interests and consulted with government officials about national fiscal policy. As a statesman and as a business leader, Odutola worked tirelessly to improve the infrastructure of his country.

On February 28th, 1964, he officially launched Adeola Odutola College Private School, a co-educational secondary institution, the first voluntary Agency Comprehensive High School in the former Western Region of Nigeria. However, with Government takeover of Schools in 1975, he conceded the giant institution to the Ogun State Government free of charge without receiving any compensation. In 2009, the Ogun State Government resolved to return the former privately owned institutions to their original owners.  The dynasty of Odutola embraced this opportunity to take back the school.

Odutola was famous in his time. He remains famous in our days and his name is bound to be counted among the famous of our nation in times to come. But he did not become famous by accident. His life, although showing such nobility of comportment, actions and deeds, was lived laboriously and very scornful of inconsequential delights.

Timothy Adeola Odutola Personal Life

Chief Odutola was married and had children. One of them is Professor Oyinade Odutola-Olurin (OFR) a celebrated Ophthalmologist. There is also Pastor Olufunmilayo Adeyemi Odutola and Adesola Adeyemi (nee Odutola). There is also Oyeyimika Adeboye (nee Odutola) Professor Oyinade Odutola-Olurin (Ofr) Odutola) graduated with an MBCh.B from the University of Bristol in 1959, and later obtained a postgraduate degree of Master of Surgery Ch.M. from the University of Bristol in 1975. She had professional postgraduate training and practice in Ophthalmology both in England and Nigeria, mainly at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Professor (Mrs) Odutola-Olurin is the first female Professor of Medicine in Nigeria. She retired as Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Ibadan.

Odutola died on April 13th, 1995.

Timothy Adeola Odutola Awards

• The British honoured him with the Order of the British Empire in 1948
• A Chief, he was honoured with the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu-Ode
• He holds two National honours; Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)

Timothy Adeola Odutola Net Worth

His net worth is not available.

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