Profile of Tinubu’s Minister of Power, Adedayo Adelabu

Adebayo Adelabu Listen, born on September 28, 1970, is a Nigerian financial expert, businessman, and politician. He gained prominence through his roles in the Central Bank of Nigeria and his involvement in the Nigerian political landscape. Adelabu’s early life, education, professional career, and political endeavors have shaped his profile.

Early Life and Education: Adebayo Adelabu was born to Aderibigbe Adelabu in the Oke-Oluokun compound, Kudeti Area of Ibadan, Nigeria. He hails from a notable family background, with his grandfather being Adegoke Adelabu. Adelabu attended Ibadan Municipal Government primary school and Lagelu Grammar School in Ibadan for his primary and secondary education, respectively. He later pursued higher education at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he earned a first-class degree in Accounting.

Professional Career: Adelabu began his career at PriceWaterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers), a renowned international firm of chartered accountants and management consultants. During his time there, he gained extensive experience in auditing and consultancy for major banks and non-bank financial institutions in and outside Nigeria. He later joined First Atlantic Bank, where he held various positions, including Financial Controller, Chief Inspector, and Group Head of National Public Sector Business.

He furthered his career at Standard Chartered Bank, serving as the West African Regional Head of Finance and Strategy (Consumer Banking Business). He then made a significant move to become an Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FBN), one of the largest banks in Nigeria.

Adelabu’s expertise led to his appointment as the Deputy Governor of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2014, during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. He has also been actively involved in various boards and institutions, including Nigeria InterBank Settlement Systems (NIBBS), Financial Institution Training Centre (FITC), Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC), Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), and Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

Business Ventures: Apart from his notable career in the financial sector, Adebayo Adelabu is also a successful businessman. He has investments in diverse sectors such as hospitality, entertainment, agriculture, and real estate. He holds the position of Group Chairman for Bayse One Group of Hotels, including the Best Western Plus Hotels in Ibadan, and is associated with Bayse One Farm.

Political Involvement: Adebayo Adelabu ventured into Nigerian politics and made a bid for the governorship position of Oyo State. He joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and officially declared his intention to run for the position on June 20, 2018. He emerged as the APC gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State in September 2018, winning the party primaries.

However, he faced a defeat in the 2019 Oyo State gubernatorial election, losing to Oluwaseyi Makinde of the People Democratic Party (PDP). Adelabu’s political journey continued as he switched party affiliation, leaving APC and joining the Accord Party. He emerged as the Accord Party’s gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming elections in Oyo State after the initial candidate stepped down.

Recent Developments: In a significant development, Adebayo Adelabu’s profile received a boost when he was included in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 28-man ministerial nomination list on July 27, 2023.

Adebayo Adelabu Listen’s life and career exemplify his dedication to both the financial sector and Nigerian politics, making him a notable figure in the country’s landscape.