Chief Olawale Oshun was born on March 26, 1950 to the family of the Pa and Mrs. Oshun. After his primary school education, he attended the famous Ibadan Boys’ High School from 1962 to 1967, where he completed his secondary school education. From 1968 to 1973, he studied at the University of Ibadan, graduating with a Second Class (Upper Division) Degree in Agricultural Economics and Extension (1973). He followed this up with a postgraduate diploma in Manpower/Economic Development Planning at the University of Lagos in 1978. He proceeded to the Thames Valley University, London, for the common professional examination in Law and Postgraduate Diploma in Law from 1998 to 2000.
Upon graduating from the University of Ibadan in 1973, he joined the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Lagos as an Administrative Officer in charge of the Agricultural Research Institute from 1974 to 1978. He got his transfer to the Federal Ministry of Industries, where he served as Senior Assistant Secretary, Principal Assistant Secretary and finally as Under Secretary, taking charge of small and heavy engineering industries and other related departments between 1978 and 1983 before being appointed as Under Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Transport, Lagos with responsibility for seaports from 1983 to 1985. He voluntarily retired at the end of his service in the Ministry of Transport and set up his own company, M/S Joint Services Ltd., a manufacturing concern with interest in agro-processing, plastic manufacturing and paper conversion. The company’s factory is located in Ijebu Imusin.
Aside from his experience in the ministry and in the world of business, Chief Olawale Oshun was a member of the Palm Produce Board Calabar (1976- 1977); Secretary to the Board of Nigerian Trucks Manufacturers, Kano (1980-1981); Director, Nigerian General Insurance Ltd.(1991-1993) and Chairman, Marot Construction Company Ltd. ( 2000-2003). He joined the Ijebu Imusin Planning Body (IPB) from inception and played different roles, such as being the Director of the Ijebu Imusin Community Bank Ltd. He has also significantly contributed to the staging of the Annual Rally celebrations over the past years through sourcing of very important guests who contributed towards the financial needs of the IPB. He is a member of ‘Klub Ijebu Imusin’, a social organisation which has contributed hugely to the development of the community.
Hon. Chief Olawale Oshun has also made his mark in the political realm. At different times, he contested for the chairmanship of Mainland Local Government, deputy governorship of Ogun State, and the Federal House of Representatives. From 1988 to 1989, he was a member of the Constituent Assembly in Abuja, and a member of the House of Representatives, Abuja, representing the Ijebu East Local Federal Constituency from 1992 to 1993. He concurrently served as the Chief Whip from 1992 to 1993.
Hon. Chief Olawale Oshun was appointed Secretary to the National Democratic Coalition of Nigeria (NADECO) from 1994 to 1995, and became the Secretary of the same organisation abroad from 1996 to 2000. During the same period, he served as the Executive Secretary of Radio Kudirat International, the famous Freedom Radio.
He played a leading role in the formation of political parties, such as the SDP and the AD. He was the Chairman of the committee responsible for organising the 2000 Congress of Yoruba in Nigeria and in the Diaspora held in Ibadan.
He joined the Rotary Club International and was the Chartered President of the Yaba East branch in 1989. He has authored several books and delivered several papers and lectures, both within and outside Nigeria. He was a recipient of the Ijebu Imusin Community Merit Award in 2003. He loves sports and dancing. He is happily married to Mrs. Lola Oshun and they have lovely children.
