He was born on 4^th June, 1945 in Ikala, Ijebu Imusin where he had his elementary school education before proceeding to Ijebu-Ode Grammar School in 1961. He completed his WASC and HSC in 1965 and 1967 respectively with flying colours

He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Lagos as a pioneer Shell scholar from 1968 to 1971 and graduated with a first class honours degree. His performance at the degree examinations earned him commendation from the external examiner – Prof. Fred Bailey from University of Sussex who took interest in him and invited him to study for his doctorate degree at Sussex under joint sponsorship of the university and the British Steel Research Council. At Sussex, he opted for research in structural engineering leading to award of doctor of philosophy degree in 1978. His doctoral thesis was titled “Design of Steel Frames with Semi-rigid Connections.”

His working career saw him through such reputable Nigerian and international companies such as Shell (1971/72), University of Sussex (1972/73), NNPC (1978/79), Delta Steel (1979/85), BBC Brown Boveri which later became ABB (1985-99), ABB Alstom Power (1999-2001) and Alstom (2001-2008).

He had a distinguished career at Delta Steel where he rose from Assistant Chief Engineer in 1979 to Acting Deputy General Manager in 1983. He established the company’s Project Engineering & Design Department, recruited and trained about 50 engineers and technicians who championed design & construction of many projects. During the crisis that rocked the company between 1984 and 1985, his personal integrity and transparent conduct earned him recognition by the management of BBC Brown Boveri, Lagos who invited him to join the company as Manager (Power Generation).

His dedication and hard work at BBC Brown Boveri (now ABB) earned him rapid promotions and recognitions leading to i) his secondment to ABB Germany from1990 to 1992 ii) his appointment in 1995 as the first Executive Director of the company and iii) his appointment two years later as a director of ABB Electrical Systems Ltd.

Following the merger of the power businesses of ABB and Alstom and the formation of ABB Alstom Power in 1999, he was appointed the Manging Director/Country Manager of the new company. By 2001 when Alstom bought ABB out of the JV company, he was appointed Alstom Managing Director/Country President. He established and nurtured Alstom Nigeria Limited until he retired in 2008.

He attended numerous management training courses and seminars in Europe and South Africa.

He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Member of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers and a COREN Registered engineer.

Apart from his executive directorships in ABB and Alstom, he served in non-executive capacity on the boards of Areva T&D Nigeria Ltd., MICCOM Cables & Wires Ltd., ABBNG and the Nigerian-Swedish Chamber of Commerce. He is currently the Chairman of ABBNG Limited; Chairman, Board of Trustees, UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association and acts as a private consultant on power.

SPECIALIZATIONS

• Mechanical and Industrial Engineering