The ancient city of Oyo is set for another historic moment on Saturday, September 5, 2026, as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, installs renowned corporate leader and philanthropist, Oloye (Dr) Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, as the new Balogun of Oyo. The installation, initially scheduled for July, was postponed in the wake of the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. With the victims now reunited with their families despite the tragic loss of two lives, the stage is now set for the investiture of Dr Adeduntan, who succeeds the late Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, former Governor of the old Oyo State and distinguished statesman. The Balogun title remains one of the highest traditional offices in the Oyo Empire, symbolising courage, leadership and selfless public service.
Born in Ibadan, Dr Adeduntan obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Ibadan in 1992 before earning an MBA from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom as a Chevening Scholar. He subsequently built an outstanding career spanning Arthur Andersen, KPMG, Citibank, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and FirstBank. At AFC, he served as a pioneer Director and Chief Financial Officer, where he led the strategy that earned the institution Moody’s A3 investment-grade rating in 2014. As Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank from January 2016 to April 2024, he championed digital transformation, strengthened corporate governance and expanded the bank’s footprint across Africa and the United Kingdom.
Following his retirement from FirstBank in April 2024, Dr Adeduntan embarked on a new phase dedicated to building enduring institutions for Nigeria’s long-term development. He founded Sequoia Holdings Limited, a diversified group with interests in financial services, strategic minerals, professional services, energy and long-term investment platforms. Through Sequoia Financial Services Limited, launched in early 2025, he provides advisory and investment solutions to corporate, institutional and private clients, while Sequoia Minerals & Metals Limited is driving a district-scale exploration portfolio across several states, focusing on critical minerals essential to the global energy transition.
Beyond his business interests, Dr Adeduntan continues to contribute to national development through Sequoia Professional Services Limited, where he advises boards, governments and investors on governance, strategy and institutional transformation. In 2025, Governor Seyi Makinde appointed him Pro-Chancellor of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan. A Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), he also holds honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Cranfield University and the University of Ibadan. His installation as Balogun of Oyo will complement his existing traditional title of Apesinola of Ibadanland, further strengthening his enduring ties with two of Yorubaland’s foremost historic cities.
