ABOUT CHIEF ODUTOLA

Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola was an important contributor to Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, creating a multimillion-dollar conglomerate.

By the 1950s, before Nigeria’s independence, Chief Adeola Odutola had already established a vast timber, oil-palm and rubber plantations and operated three tyre retreading factories in Ibadan (1949), Kano (1954), and Onitsha (1956). These complementary ventures not only provided essential local services but also laid the groundwork for his pioneering move into fully indigenous tyre manufacturing in 1968.

The Onitsha factory was destroyed during the Nigerian Civil War.

Other than the Odutola Industries Limited built in 1967 and commissioned in 1968, he later built an assorted biscuit factory (Odutola Foods Limited) in 1980, also in Ijebu-Ode. 

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. He was bestowed the Prime Minister, Ogbeni-Oja of Ijebu-Ode in 1956, and was the founder and 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. He was the first Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians.
He owned many manufacturing businesses and partnerships. He also ventured into real estate and investment properties.

He was the chairman with major shareholding in the following partnership manufacturing businesses: 
+Continental Breweries Limited (Imagbon, near Ijebu-Ode)
+Eastern Breweries Limited (A/Omamma, near Onitsha)
+Bayer Pharmaceuticals Nigeria Limited (Lagos)
+Kabelmetal Nigeria Limited (Ikeja, Lagos)
+Unichem Nigeria Limited (Lagos)
+Crown Products Limited (Ijebu-Ode)

Chief Odutola served Nigeria in the political, financial, and industrial sectors in many capacities, including:
+Chairman, Nigerian Youth Movement in the Ijebu Division (1938)
+Represented Nigeria as part of its delegation to the First African Conference in London in 1948.
+Representative, Western House of Assembly (1947–1950)
+Representative, House of Assembly (1952–1954; 1956–1959)
+Senator, Upper House (1960–1964)
+External Director, Central Bank (1966–1972)
+Member, Constituent Assembly (1978)
+Founding Member and Past President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (formerly the Lagos Stock Exchange)
+Founding Member and First President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (1971–1982)

While it is believed some of Chief Odutola wives were diabolically forced onto him, and the paternity of some of his children has been questioned, Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola has many wives and 26 children (10 sons, 16 daughters).

Chief Odutola did not die in his sleep as widely reported. He was murdered by some of those close to him.

ABOUT CHIEF ODUTOLA

ABOUT CHIEF ODUTOLA

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