Olawale Abiodun Lawal Abinugbola: Transforming Ijebu Igbo

Olawale Abiodun Lawal Abinugbola is recognized as a modern traditional ruler shaped by enterprise, integrity, and service. He will be installed as the Olu Omo Ijebu Igbo on February 5, 2026.

Abinugbola's journey began in the hide skin trade, where he learned from his mother, Alhaja Bello Olorunbunmi Rasheedat. He pursued a degree in business administration at Babcock University and returned to innovate within the family trade.

In 2015, he made a significant leap by obtaining his first international passport to understand global business dynamics. Today, he controls 60% of Nigeria's hide skin market and has established direct import channels from Kenya and Tanzania, bypassing middlemen.

His leadership style is characterized by fairness, transparency, and accountability, fostering a culture of professionalism and education among the youth in Ijebu Igbo. Abinugbola envisions the hide skin industry becoming a one trillion-naira market within the next decade, ensuring the community's prosperity and positioning Ijebu Igbo as a strategic hub for trade.