Alh. (Prince) Muildeen Gbolade Okunowo was born on April 10, 1930 at Idoko Olowa, Ijebu Imusin, to the family of Pa Alli Balogun Sanni Okunowo and the Madam Aishat Adejoke Okunowo (nee Okeowo Adelaja). He started his educational career at St. Mary’s Anglican Primary School, Ijebu Imusin, in 1938. He proceeded to Edaiken Muslim Primary School, Benin City in 1938, where he obtained his Standard Six Certificate in December 1947. Following his primary school education, he returned to Lagos to learn a trade in Auto Engineering works at Idumagbo from 1949 to 1953.
He joined the firm of CFAO in Alakoro (1953-1954), SCOA in Igbosere, G.CAPPA (1955-1956), and BORINI PRONO (1956-1958). He later moved to UTC Motors in 1959, where he remained until 1960. After his service at UTC Motors, he worked with Alien and BEWAC Company until 1962.
An astute businessman, Alhaji Okunowo was the Chairman and Managing Director of a thriving business venture. He was the Patron of Lagos State Motor Mechanics and Technicians Association Fadeyi, Shomolu Area, from 1986 to 1989.
Alhaji Okunowo is a devout Muslim. He has served the Islamic faith in various capacities and contributed immensely to a number of Islamic religious projects. He was Chairman, Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Bariga; Chairman, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Shomolu; Patron, Muslim Youth Ijebu Imusin; Vice Chairman, Ijebu Imusin Central Mosque Committee; Chairman, Ijebu Imusin Central Mosque Multipurpose Hall Building Committee, among many others. He is credited with the construction of the Ayisat Memorial Mosque, Ijebu Imusin, which he built in honour of his late mother.
A prince by birth, Alhaji Okunowo is the Head of the Adeboye Ruling House of Oloko Dynasty of Ijebu Imusin. He is Treasurer, Finance Committee of Oba Oloko Palace Building Project, and Chairman, Idoko Olowa Community Development Council. He is also Patron of Ijebu Imusin Premier Club; Patron, Unity Brothers Club of Nigeria; Patron, African Citizen Organisation for Development; and Life Patron, Okunowo House of Oduduwa Primary School, Bariga, Lagos.
He was the recipient of the Ijebu Imusin Legends Award for the year 2012. On 9th November 2013, he was conferred with the prestigious Ijebu Imusin Community Merit Award. He is happily married to three amiable queens – Alhaja Hoalat Aduke Okunowo, Alhaja Ramota Okunowo, and Alhaja Kuburat Okunowo. Their marriage is blessed with children.
