| From Banking Boardrooms to Public Service: Adebola Sofela, a Visionary Voice for Ogun Central |
By Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo |
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With over three decades of distinguished experience spanning banking, finance, telecommunications, and public administration, Adebola Emmanuel Sofela has emerged as one of the most accomplished figures seeking to represent Ogun Central in Nigeria’s National Assembly.
His remarkable professional journey, combined with an impressive academic pedigree and public service record, positions him as a candidate many observers believe could bring strategic insight and pragmatic leadership to legislative governance.
Born with a passion for excellence and service, Sofela’s academic journey laid a strong foundation for his illustrious career. He earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Accounting from the University of Ilorin in 1986/87 after completing an Ordinary National Diploma in Business Administration from the Ogun State Polytechnic in 1982. Earlier, he obtained his West African School Certificate from the International School, University of Ibadan in 1980.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of knowledge, Sofela further strengthened his academic credentials by obtaining a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Lagos in 1996. His professional qualifications also reflect a rare breadth of expertise across multiple financial disciplines. He qualified as a Chartered Banker in 1988, a Chartered Accountant in 1989, and later as a Chartered Stockbroker in 2011.
Today, he is a Fellow of several prestigious professional bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria. These affiliations underscore his reputation as a respected authority in finance, taxation, banking, and capital markets.
Sofela’s commitment to professional development also took him beyond Nigeria’s borders. He attended executive programs at globally renowned institutions such as Harvard Business School, Wharton Business School, and INSEAD, where he sharpened his strategic leadership and corporate performance management skills.
Over the course of his career, Sofela accumulated more than 32 years of post-graduate professional experience across banking, financial services, and telecommunications. His expertise covers a wide range of areas including treasury operations, corporate and project finance, internal audit, investment banking, regulatory compliance, tax planning, and risk management.
His banking career saw him rise through the ranks to become Divisional Director and General Manager at Equatorial Trust Bank Limited, now part of Sterling Bank Plc. During this period, he developed deep expertise in government accounts and financial management, working closely with state and local governments to finance development projects and improve revenue collection systems.
Following his successful banking career, Sofela transitioned into the telecommunications sector, joining Globacom Limited as Group Treasurer and Director of the Executive Office. In this strategic role, which he held until February 2018, he contributed significantly to financial planning and corporate governance at one of Nigeria’s leading telecommunications companies.
His entrepreneurial drive later led him to serve as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Capital and Investments Limited, where he focused on financial advisory, stockbroking, investment management, and tax consultancy. During this period, Sofela worked closely with small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), helping them navigate the challenges of accessing finance from development financial institutions.
In recent years, Sofela has expanded his influence into public administration. Since August 2019, he has served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority, the state agency responsible for producing vehicle number plates and aluminum-based signage. His leadership at the agency has been widely regarded as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and modernize service delivery.
Beyond administrative leadership, Sofela has also been actively involved in public governance in Ogun State. After demonstrating party loyalty by respecting the decision of the All Progressives Congress to select Shuaib Salisu as the party’s senatorial candidate, Sofela was appointed Commissioner for Trade and Investment by the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun. In this role, he contributes to shaping policies aimed at strengthening investment opportunities and economic growth in the state.
Now setting his sights on legislative service, Sofela has expressed a clear vision for representing Ogun Central in the Senate. Drawing from decades of corporate leadership and recent public sector experience, he believes he can bring innovative ideas and practical solutions to governance.
According to him, his ambition is rooted in a desire to provide “fresh perspectives and pragmatic representation” that will foster socio-economic development across the senatorial district and Ogun State at large.
With his slogan “O ti se se” — meaning “It is possible” — Sofela calls on the people of Ogun Central to believe in a future shaped by responsible leadership, strategic economic thinking, and inclusive development.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, many observers see Adebola Emmanuel Sofela as a technocrat whose blend of corporate excellence and public service could add a new dimension to legislative representation.
For Sofela, however, the goal remains simple: to translate decades of experience into meaningful policies and development that will benefit his people and contribute to Nigeria’s progress.
