Abimbola Adekanmbi

Abimbola Olalere Adekanmbi (born 5 April 1973) is a Nigerian public policy expert, chartered accountant, and politician. He served as Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning in Oyo State from 2016 to 2019.

Adekanmbi has been involved in Oyo State political and governance affairs and is currently the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) consensus candidate for the 2027 Oyo State gubernatorial elections.

Early life and education Adekanmbi was born on 5 April 1973 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria to Reverend Olalere Adekanmbi, and Madam Ashiyanbi Adekanmbi of Ile Ojo Seriki Compound, Beyerunka, Ibadan, Oyo State. He is the second child of the family. He commenced his early education at Orita Mefa Baptist Primary School, Ibadan, before proceeding to Federal Government College, Okigwe, in the then Imo State, for his secondary education.

In 1991, he gained admission to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Accounting graduating in 1998. He subsequently earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom, and later completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialisation in Strategy and Finance from Liverpool John Moores University.

Adekanmbi has undertaken several professional development programmes in finance, leadership, and management. In 2002, he completed training in SAP Financial Accounting and Controlling (SAP FICO) at the SAP Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa.

From 2002 to 2011, Adekanmbi worked as a finance and management consultant. He contributed to projects for organisations including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, TNT, Caterpillar Logistics, Accenture, Birmingham City Council, Department for Transport, Kent Police, CP Ships, BG Group, Middlesbrough Council, Verizon Business, and the Kingfisher Group (B&Q). He subsequently served as Acting Chairman of the Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue before being appointed Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning in 2016.

Political career In May 2026, Adekanmbi emerged as the consensus governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 Oyo State gubernatorial election following the party's primary election held in Ibadan.

He received the party's Certificate of Return after delegates and stakeholders ratified his nomination. In his acceptance speech, Adekanmbi pledged to build on the policies and programmes of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, with a focus on education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, security, technology, tourism, and commerce.

Awards and recognitions 2022 – Award of Exemplary Service, presented by the Aj'orosun Club, Ibadan, in recognition of his public service and humanitarian contributions.

2024 – Man of Honour Award, presented by Solutions FM, Ibadan, in recognition of his contributions to public service and community development.

2025 – Christian Prestigious Award (CPA), conferred by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) during the 2025 Ibadanland Christmas Carol and Awards Ceremony in recognition of his contributions to Christian causes and public service.

Leadership appointments 2025 – Invested as President of the Oyo State Council of the Scout Association of Nigeria during the council's Founder's Day celebration and Annual General Meeting in Ibadan.

Personal life Adekanmbi is married to Dr. Olukemi Adekanmbi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI) and Ag. Director of the Infectious Disease Institute within the college and they have three children. The family lives in Ibadan, Oyo State.