Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) Biography and Life History of APC Osun Governorship Candidate, who is the immediate past Chairman of Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA.
Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (Ambo) is the Osun State 2026 Governorship Candidate for the All Progressive Congress (APC).
His emergence as the consensus candidate of the party came significantly with the intervention of President Tinubu, which many have said is a clear signal that there is seriousness from the federal as regards him.
As many look forward to the 2026 governorship election in Osun, we bring you the career, political, education, family, and life history of the APC Candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
Bola Oyebamiji Biography and life history
He is popularly known as AMBO. He is a notable Nigerian politician, economist, experienced banker, and public administrator.
Bola Oyebamiji was born on November 17, 1965, in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. He spent his childhood in the town, building strong connections with the community.
With over 28 years in banking before moving to public service, Oyebamiji has held important roles in the Osun State government and federal positions. He is known for his financial skills, integrity, loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his charitable work in community development.
He served as Commissioner for Finance under Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola. Later, he became the Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) until he resigned in November 2025 to pursue his goal of becoming governor.
On December 13, 2025, he was unanimously nominated as the APC governorship candidate for the Osun State 2026 election. This nomination positions him as a leader who can unify various groups across the state.
He is set to compete against the incumbent Adeleke, who was recently ousted from the PDP and had to secure a ticket with the less influential Accord Party.
Top 10 Things To Know About Bola Oyebamiji
- Alhaji Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji was born November 17, 1965.
- He was born in Ikire, Irewole local government area of Osun state, and had his childhood in the town.
- He is a graduate of Banking and Finance and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Business Administration.
- He is an Economist with industry experience of more than 28 years before he entered the public service.
- In 1989, he was employed at Wema Bank Plc as assistant manager in the bank. In 1998, he joined Trans International Bank as senior manager and rose to the position of principal manager before he left the company in 2003.
- He also served as the bank’s Head of Lagos Region. Oyebamiji also worked for Spring Bank Plc for four (4) years (2005-2009) as Head of Business Development.
- He then moved to public service and served as the Osun State Commissioner of Finance for eight years.
- According to the information on the official website of the Osun State government, the fortune of Osun State Investment Company Limited leaped from about 300million in 2012, when Oyebamiji took charge
- He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
- Bola Oyebamiji is married to Dr Sekinat Bola Oyebamiji and the marriage is blessed with many children.
Bola Oyebamiji Ambo Education history
From 1971 until 1977, Ambo attended the well-known A.D.C. Primary School in Oke-Ada, Ikire, where he established his educational foundation. From 1978 to 1982, Bola Oyebamiji attended Ayedaade Grammar School in Ikire, where he earned his Secondary School Leaving Certificate. Between 1985 to 1988, he received an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Banking and Finance at The Polytechnic in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he excelled as the Best Student in Banking Law.
Oyebamiji graduated from Lagos State University with a master’s degree in public administration in 1997 and the University of Ado-Ekiti with a master’s degree in business administration in 2004. In addition to other professional organisations like the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji Work History
Coming with a glowing career, highlighted by his most recent resignation from NIWA in November 2025 to contest the Osun governorship election.
Bola Oyebamiji’s professional career spans banking and public service as he began in 1987/1989 at Wema Bank Plc as Assistant Manager in the International Banking Division.
In 1998, he joined Trans International Bank Plc, Ikeja, Lagos, as Senior Manager, rising to Principal Manager and Head of Lagos Region by 2003.
He served as Head of Business Development at Spring Bank Plc (2005–2009) and Head of Retail Business at Enterprise Bank Ltd.
In 2012, he transitioned to public service as Managing Director/CEO of Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL, later Omoluabi Holdings), where the company’s fortune reportedly grew significantly under his leadership.
He was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Osun State, serving for eight years across two administrations and receiving awards for outstanding performance.
In 2023, he became Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, before his appointment as Managing Director/CEO of NIWA under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
How Ambo Emerged APC Osun 2026 Governorship Candidate
His political career gained prominence in 2012 with appointments under Governor Rauf Aregbesola. He aspired for the governorship in 2018 but stepped down to support party harmony.
On December 13, 2025, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Osun State 2026 governorship election through a consensus process.
Following extensive consultations, including a reconciliation meeting facilitated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, several aspirants stepped down and endorsed Oyebamiji.
Key contenders like Kunle Adegoke (SAN) and Senator Babajide Omoworare nominated and seconded his candidacy.
At the primary held in Osogbo, attended by 1,660 delegates from all 30 local government areas and wards, his nomination was affirmed unanimously via voice vote.
The primary committee chairman, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, declared him the winner, emphasising party unity.
This consensus, supported by elders (Igbimo Agba Osun) and national leaders, positions AMBO as the flagbearer to contest the August 8, 2026, election against the incumbent.
Bola Oyebamiji Wife and Family
Bola Oyebamiji is married to Dr. Sekinah Bolanle Bola-Oyebamiji (also referred to as Sekinat or Sekinah), a distinguished medical professional and academic.
Dr. Sekinah is a Lecturer 1 at Osun State University, Osogbo, and an Honorary Consultant at the university’s Teaching Hospital. She specialises in gynaecological cancer research and women’s health, with notable achievements including grants from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and roles in Harvard-affiliated programs.
The couple is blessed with children and maintains a supportive family life rooted in mutual respect and shared values.
Oyebamiji frequently acknowledges his wife’s unwavering support in his public posts and statements, describing her as a pillar in his career. They often attend community and family events together, strengthening bonds within Osun society.
They both attend events, with Bola Oyebamiji writing on Facebook;
Yesterday, in the company of my dear wife, Dr. Sekinah Bola-Oyebamiji, I had the honour of sharing in two remarkable celebrations with our people.
In Ilesa, I joined Hon. Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni and his family to mark the 60th birthday of his beloved wife, Mrs Deborah Ayeni; a milestone that reflects a life of grace, strength, and fulfilment. Hon. Ayeni was elected to represent Atakumosa East/Atakumosa West/Ilesa East/Ilesa West Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, Abuja, in 2019, serving as Vice Chairman of Committee on Police Affairs.
Later in Osogbo, I was pleased to celebrate with one of the devoted grassroots politicians in the state, Princess Adejoke Oyin-Adejobi, as her daughter, Taiwo Oyindamola, embarked on a new journey of love and happiness with her heartthrob, Toheeb Alabi.
Occasions such as these strengthen the bonds of family and community, reminding us of the values that hold our society together. I pray that the Almighty continues to bless these homes with joy, peace, and enduring prosperity.