Pa Matthew Afolabi Adetola was born on 25th April 1928 to the family of the late Pa Samson Adetola Orekoya and Madam Deborah Adebanke Adetola at Ikala, Ijebu-Imusin. He started his primary education at African Bethel School, Ilodo Ijebu-Imusin, and ended up at Mary’s Anglican Primary School, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in December 1944. That same year, he gained admission to King’s College, Lagos, and passed out flying colours in 1950. He sat for and passed the Royal Society of Arts Examination RSA) stages I and II. He also attended courses in Auditing, Accounting, and Business Management in various institutions, among them the Nigeria College of Arts, Science, and Technology, Ibadan (1958 – 1959); University of Lagos (1972); British Council Course in London(1976); and Syracuse University, New York, USA(1980).
He rose to the enviable position of Auditor General for the Federation of Nigeria on 8th May 1985. he maintained this position until his retirement fron the Civil Service on December 31, 1986.
He has rendered services to the church of God in several capacities, including serving as Secretary, YMCA/YWCA, St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Lagos and its environs for 38years (1952-1990); Auditor, St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ijebu-Imusin for over 20years; Member of YMCA, St. Mary’s Church, Ijebu-Imusin and Auditor, St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Faji Lagos for 13years. He also served as Association Patron, Faji in 2004; Auditor, Auxiliary Association for the Relief of Leprosy in Nigeria (AFROLIN) for many years; and Friendly Auditor; West African College of Medicine for several years.
Pa Matthew Afolabi Adetola was the recipient of the Best Couple Award (50 years category) in 2005 at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ijebu-Imusin. He was also honoured with the prestigious Ijebu-Imusin Community Merit Award (ICMA), which was presented to him by His Royal Highness Oba Stephen A. Onafowokan (JP), Ojafadego II, the Oloko of Ijebu-Imusin, on November 13, 2010.
He was happily married to Mrs. Mojisola Olabisi Adetola and was blessed with many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
