Makinde Abiola Peter

Abiola Peter Makinde, born on 16 August 1973, is a financial management expert and politician from Nigeria’s Ondo State.

He serves as a member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Ondo East/Ondo West federal constituency, known for his grassroots political engagement and populist ideology.

In 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Makinde as National Board Member of the Nigeria Literacy Commission until 2015, when the PDP lost power to APC. He is celebrated for empowering marginalized communities and advocating youth opportunities, earning him the nickname ‘Father of Empowerment.’

He received honorary doctorates in Business Administration from Global Oved Dei Seminary (USA) in 2019 and a PhD in Management from Igbinedion University (Nigeria) in November 2022.

Born to Chief Ambrose Boluwaji Makinde, his lineage traces back to High Chief Lisa Akinrinde. He attended Lagos schools before studying National Diploma at Ondo State Polytechnic (now Rufus Giwa Polytechnic).

He earned a bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems from the University of Maryland (USA) in 2006 and later obtained a master’s in Financial Management there in 2009.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko appointed Makinde Caretaker Chairman of Ondo West Local Government in 2013, where he improved local governance and was recognized as the best-performing LG chairman in Abuja in 2015.

His political career expanded with roles in PDP’s South-west zone Publicity Secretary (2014), though he left due to internal disputes. He later joined ADC before defecting to APC for the 2023 election.

In the 2023 House of Representatives race, Makinde won re-election as APC candidate with 68% of votes, defeating PDP’s Dr. Felix Kehinde and SDP’s Mr. Akinbuli Gbenga.

He has championed education reforms, including approving a bill to upgrade Adeyemi College of Education into a Federal University of Education.