Wale Akinterinwa: The Quintessential Leader of Influence and Administrator of Repute

It is not by luck or happenstance that one is appointed a leader among his peers. Also, you don’t become a two-term Commissioner under a meticulous and thorough Governor such as Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, if you don’t know your onions or have the right pedigree. His influence and clout transcend Ondo State as he was found worthy to be appointed the Chairman of the Forum of Finance Commissioners of Nigeria. Talk about being a primus inter pares, first among equals, then you are referring to Mr. Adewale Olumuyiwa Akinterinwa, the Commissioner of Finance of Ondo State.

In addition to being a serving Commissioner, he has also served on the Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, while currently serving on the Governing Council of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State.

In the last decade, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa has emerged as a personality to observe closely and admire. He has emerged as a leader of influence and an astute administrator who has serially demonstrated the capacity and capability to lead, if and when given the opportunity. He has discharged his various responsibilities with an uncommon level of efficiency and commitment, hence Ondo State youths, elders, and other stakeholders have seen in him the leadership qualities that the State needs in the near future.

Urbane, suave, intelligent, affable, and hardworking are some of the attributes that critical observers have associated with his brand personae over the years. He is one of the leading lights of the new Ondo State that has gradually emerged and evolved under the expert guidance and intentional leadership of Governor Akeredolu. Terins, as he is fondly called, is the epitome of the new leadership that is well-positioned and poised to take Ondo State to the next level after the tenure of Akeredolu.

Having made his mark in Lagos State as an investment banker, economic analyst, policy strategist, and administrator, his emergence as the Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, first under the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and currently under the Akeredolu administration, is a testimony of his deep knowledge of, and immense experience in finance and economic matters. He is one of the Commissioners regarded as square pegs in square holes, having proved his mettle over and over again.

Education

He attended K. Kotun Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, Lagos. He later proceeded to Government College, Ibadan (GCI) where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1979. He obtained B.Sc. in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1987. He also obtained an MBA from the same institution in 1999. He has attended various courses both at home and abroad in Banking, Finance, Leadership, Management, and Strategic Planning

Career history

Since 1989, he has worked and distinguished himself in various reputable establishments such as Afro-continental Nigeria, Triumph Merchant Bank (Head of Treasury & Financial Services); Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (Special Assistant on Finance, Investment & Strategy); Gideon Trust Investment Limited (Executive Vice Chairman/CEO); Gideon Trust Micro-finance Bank (Chairman); Emergent Power & Energy Dev. Company (Non-Executive Director/Board Member); Commissioner, Ministry of Finance, Ondo State (Mar-Nov 2009); Commissioner, Ministry of Finance, Ondo State (2017 till date)

Strong financial and business management pedigree

Mr. Akinterinwa is a corporate finance professional, with a strong accounting and management background. He has nearly three decades of hands-on professional engagement spanning diverse areas of investment banking, project finance, real estate development, consulting, and public sector engagement. He has successfully pioneered and managed several corporate restructuring and business repositioning projects that have delivered reasonable returns to investors. His astute management of Ondo State’s finances has led to more prudent utilization of resources with wastages being eliminated and new revenue streams being opened up as the state forges ahead in its drive to increase Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) and diversify its economy.

 Highlights of a career milestone

He played a pivotal role in the restructuring and reorganisation of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation for improved performance, and this birthed most of the Government housing estates that ameliorated the housing shortage in Lagos State during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and till today. His mastery of financial planning and economic management has helped Ondo State to develop a structured and focused approach to the management of its economy.

Political and social activities

He contested for a seat in the House of Representatives (Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency) on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy in 2003. He was also a governorship aspirant in 2012 on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria. He is a member of many clubs and societies including the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938. A golfer, Wale loves football, reading, listening to music, and engaging in community development activities.

Awards

He has won several national and international awards in recognition of his professionalism, creativity, innovativeness, dedication to duty, and support for worthy causes.

Family history

He was born to Mr. Moses Akinterinwa and Mrs. Agnes Aduke Akinterinwa (Nee Akinbisehin), both deceased.

Family life

Mr. Wale Akinterinwa is happily married to Oluremi Akinterinwa and they are blessed with children.

Interests

He likes reading, traveling, football, a collection of artworks, golf, and farming.