Bola Akindele
Adebola Ismail Akindele in Ibadan, Oyo State is a Nigerian entrepreneur, business strategist and philanthropist. He is the Group Managing Director of Courteville Business Solutions, a provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services. He is a member of the board of advisors of the East Africa Business Network. He was recognized as one of the "21 Nigerian tech CEOs at the top of their game" by the African Business Central magazine.
Early life and education
Bola Akindele was born on November 25, 1964 in the city of Ibadan, Oyo State. He grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and attended Ansar-Ud-deen College, Isolo, Lagos from 1974–1979. He is an alumnus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agriculture. He holds a master's degree in Banking & Finance from the University of Lagos in 1993 and also holds a Doctorate of Business Administration from the International School of Management, Paris. He is also an alumnus of the London Business School and the Lagos Business School.Career
Bola Akindele is the Group Managing Director of Courteville Business Solutions Plc., an Information Technology consultancy, and business process outsourcing company.As a young professional, he interned with KPMG, Peat, Marwick, Ani, Ogunde & Co. now known as KPMG Nigeria, as Audit Trainee.
Akindele joined the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1989, where he rose to become Treasurer/Financial Controller of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme. While at the CBN, he also served as a Bank Examiner on various audit assignments. He went on to work at Oceanic Bank in 1993, and became the Group Head, Commercial Banking. He also worked with the now defunct Fountain Trust Bank, Nigeria as the Divisional Head, Markets.
In 2004, he became the Chief Executive Officer of Courteville Investment Limited.
Thereafter, Courteville Investment Limited became a public limited company, and re-branded as Courteville Business Solutions Plc in 2011, and subsequently Bola Akindele became the Group Managing Director.
He has been credited with expanding the company into operating in 20 states in Nigeria and actuating over 200 franchises.
Akindele is the Chairman, Virtuality Consulting Limited, Bolbis Ventures, Leading Traders Company, Dajayaal Limited and Regis & Reinas Hospital. He also sits on the Board of Synergy Capital and Advisory Limited.
Corporate Memberships and Affiliations
Bola Akindele is affiliated with various regional and international social and business development organizations.
He is the only African on the Advisory Board of the Enterprise and Parliamentary Dialogue International, a UK-registered independent, not-for-profit body set up to establish a bridge of understanding between parliamentarians and enterprises.
- Member, Advisory Board of the East Africa Business Network.
- Member, World Business Forum.
- Member, Africa CEO Forum.
- Member, Commonwealth Business Forum.
- Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria CITN.
Philanthropy
Annual UNIFEMGA Scholarship Award for Undergraduate and Post-Graduate students at Obafemi Awolowo University.Bi-annual Courteville Business Free Skill Acquisition Program.
In 2015, the Nigerian Red Cross inducted him as an Associate Member in its Platinum category for his contribution in aid of medically vulnerable individuals, especially women and children.
Annual Lagos State Under-15 Bola Akindele Football Tournament.
Rehabilitation of the Beef Cattle Unit Centre for the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The construction of a crèche for the Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The Bisi Akindele Scholarship Award for Indigent Female Students.
Annual Scholarship Awards for 50 less privileged students at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions.
Awards and Recognition
Bola Akindele has received numerous awards including an Honorary Fellowship from Ravensbourne College, UK for his outstanding impact on the educational system in Africa.. He was also awarded as one of the 21 Nigerian CEOs advancing the Technology sector, and as one of the top 25 CEOs in Nigeria.Corporate
- Nigeria Technology Award – Technology Personality of the Year, 2015.
- Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Nigeria's Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies – Award of Entrepreneurship Excellence in Business, 2015.
- Nigerian Top Tech Titans Award – Award Outstanding Commitment to the Development of the Nigerian ICT Industry, 2016.
- Nigeria Technology Award – Technology Personality of the Year, 2016.
- The Nigerian Youth Parliament - Outstanding Leadership Award, 2016.
- The Tess Foundation – Honorary Youth Empowerment Award.
- Lagos State Man of the Year, 2017.
- Junior Chambers International – Special Recognition Award, 2017.
- Lead Innovator of the Year Award, 2017.
- Nigerian Union of Journalists, Ogun State. – Merit Award, 2017.
- Nigeria Technology Awards – Life Time Achievement Award, 2017.
- Fintech Associates Limited – 2017 Award.
- National Association of Computer Science Students – Icon of Software Development Award, 2018.
- Inside Business Communication Award – Outstanding Chief Executive, 2019.
- Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award - Outstanding CEO of the Year, 2015.
- Animal Science Student Association of Nigeria. University Of Ibadan – Award of Excellence, 2015.
- University of Lagos Senior Staff – Appreciation Award, 2016.
- Federal College of Education School, Akoka, Lagos – Recognition Award, 2016.
- Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Nigeria – Keynote Speaker Award, 2016.
- Business Quotient Magazine – Distinguished Entrepreneur Award, 2016.
- Ridwanullahi Akbar Voice of Tijaniyat – Merit Award.
- National Association of Oduduwa Students – Personality of the Year, 2017.
- Ikeja City Award – Community Friendly CEO of the Year.
- Titans of Technology - Merit Award.
- Rotary Club of Mushin Golden District 9110 Nigeria –Honorary Rotarian Award, 2017.
- Prestige International Magazine – Prestige Excellence Award, 2017.
- Honorary Fellowship Award Ravensbourne College, UK - Outstanding Impact on the Educational System in Africa.
- International Who's Who Professionals – Who's Who Historical Society Honoured Member Award, 2013.
- African Student Union Parliament –Pan African Leadership Price of Excellence, 2015.
- African Youth for Peace Assembly – Merit Award of Excellence, Icon of Peace Award, 2017.
Personal Life
He is married to Olabisi Sidiquat Akindele. They have four children, and are members of Ikoyi Club Lagos.
External Links
http://bolaakindele.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/adebolaakindele/
https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/17941891
https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2019/08/01/courteville-business-solutions-adebola-akindele-on-expansion-plans-africa-free-trade-agreement/
https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2019/04/02/courteville-business-solutions-ceo-how-to-look-at-the-fy-numbers/
https://guardian.ng/appointments/ican-eyes-software-robotics-ai-for-work-members-efficiency/
https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2018/11/01/courteville-posts-rise-in-nine-month-profit/
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/courteville-won-t-throw-money-to-boost-shares-md-263272.html