12 Things To Know About Bola Oyebamiji, APC Candidate In the Osun Gov. Election

As Osun State prepares for the August 15 governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is presenting Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) as its flagbearer to unseat the incumbent, Ademola Adeleke, who has changed his party after defecting to the Accord Party from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Here are 12 key facts about the former banker and public administrator.

1. He is the APC governorship candidate

Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election and is seeking to unseat incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and also enjoys the support of a faction of the Accord Party.

2. He is popularly known as AMBO

Supporters and political associates widely refer to him by the acronym AMBO derived from his title and three names Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, a name that has become central to his political identity and campaign.

3. He is from Ikire in Irewole Local Government

Oyebamiji hails from Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, one of the state’s major commercial and political centres.

4. He studied Banking and Finance

He obtained both his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Banking and Finance from The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

5. He holds two master’s degrees

He earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University in 1997 and later obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ado-Ekiti in 2004.

6. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers

Oyebamiji is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, reflecting his professional standing in Nigeria’s banking industry.

7. He built a successful banking career

Before joining government, he worked with Wema Bank, Trans International Bank, Spring Bank and Enterprise Bank, rising through management positions in banking operations, business development and retail banking.

8. He managed Osun’s investment company

In 2012, he was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Osun State Investment Company Limited (formerly OSICOL), where he oversaw the state’s investment portfolio.

9. He served twice as Osun Commissioner for Finance

Oyebamiji was Commissioner for Finance under the administrations of former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola, making him one of the state’s longest-serving finance commissioners.

10. He previously headed NIWA

He served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) before resigning in October 2025 to contest the Osun governorship election.

11. He has experience at both the federal and state government level

Apart from serving as Osun Finance Commissioner, Oyebamiji also worked as Special Adviser to then-Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, before his appointment to lead NIWA.

12. His campaign centres on economic management

Drawing on his experience in banking, finance and public administration, Oyebamiji is campaigning on promises to improve governance, strengthen the state’s economy, create jobs and expand opportunities for businesses and young people if elected governor.

As Osun voters head to the polls on August 15, Oyebamiji’s mix of banking expertise, public sector experience and long involvement in state administration is expected to be a central theme of the APC’s campaign.