President Bola Tinubu has sent a congratulatory message to Dr. Charles Akindiji Akinola, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South West Development Commission (SWDC), on his 70th birthday on July 9, 2026.
Dr. Akinola is a quintessential public policy strategist, development expert, and accomplished administrator dedicated to nation-building. His career spans more than three decades of transformative leadership across government, international development, and the private sector.
As the pioneer managing director of the South West Development Commission, Dr. Akinola leads efforts in driving Southwest regional integration, economic renewal, and institutional innovation.
In his career, he has delivered results in agriculture, governance, and sustainable development.
Dr. Akinola previously helped shape the marine and blue economy agenda as senior special assistant to the president. Before that, as Chief of Staff to the Osun State Governor, he provided strong policy leadership and chaired the South-West Governors’ Forum Technical Committee that produced the report leading to the establishment of the South-West Development Commission.
The President prays for continued good health, strength, and wisdom for Dr. Akinola as he leads the Southwest Development Commission in delivering its mandate to drive infrastructure development, foster industrialisation, strengthen regional integration, create jobs, and promote human capital development across the six states of the Southwest.
President Tinubu wishes Dr. Akinola a happy 70th birthday and many more years of meritorious service to the nation.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
