High Chief M. A. Popoola was born on 8 July 1942. He attended St. Matthew’s Teacher Training College, Ikoto, Ijebu Ode from January 1963 to December 1964; then moved to St. Leo’s Teacher College, Abeokuta, in January 1969 until December 1970 during which time he obtained the Teacher Grade II Certificate. In September 1973, he proceeded to Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, where he obtained the National Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1976. He received a Master of Arts degree later that year. He proceeded to the University of Lagos and graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Education in 1982.
He taught in a number of schools during his period of service. Among them are Mayflower School, Ikenne; Methodist Teacher College, Sagamu; and Deyo-Tuwo Comprehensive High School, Ododeyo. He became a Principal in 1989. In the same year, he served as Deputy Education Secretary of Ijebu East Local Government Education Authority until he retired in 1992.
He received the Mayflower School Sports Master of the Year Award in 1977, and St. Anthony’s Senior Grammar School Service Award in 2001. High Chief Popoola was the Chairman of St. Anthony’s Senior Secondary School PTA until 2009.
