Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola was born on June 16, 1902, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, into a family where commerce was a way of life rather than an abstract idea. From an early age, discipline, responsibility, and trade were woven into his upbringing. His education at St. Saviour’s Primary School and Ijebu Ode Grammar School prepared him for the clerical and commercial opportunities open to ambitious young Nigerians in the early twentieth century.
Early Career, From Clerkship to Commerce
In 1921, Odutola began his working life as a clerk in the Government Treasury in Lagos. The role exposed him to formal systems, record keeping, and the discipline of institutional work. Although the position offered security, his ambitions extended beyond clerical duties. He soon transitioned into commercial activity, operating as an exporter and importer at a time when produce trade formed the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
Through export produce, Odutola gained firsthand experience in logistics, negotiation, and capital management. He built relationships with producers and buyers and learned to navigate international markets. These early years established the financial discipline and business confidence that later supported his entry into manufacturing.
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Expanding Horizons, Mining, Timber, and Agriculture
Odutola did not confine himself to produce trade alone. He diversified into gold mining at Iperindo in Ilesha, exporting gold to European markets. At the same time, he invested in the timber industry in Ijebu Ode, exporting logs while supplying part of the output to Lagos. To strengthen this venture, he established Omo Sawmills of Nigeria, ensuring that processing accompanied extraction.
His agricultural investments were equally significant. Odutola developed a large rubber plantation and later expanded into livestock farming along the Lagos Benin expressway corridor. These ventures were consolidated under Adeola Farm Estates Limited, reflecting his belief in agriculture as a foundation for industrial growth and national self reliance.
Entering Manufacturing, The Tyre Industry
Odutola’s most lasting contribution emerged through manufacturing. After studying tyre retreading techniques abroad following the Second World War, he returned to Nigeria determined to build local capacity. In 1949, he registered Odutola Tyresoles Company and established a tyre retreading factory in Ibadan.
Expansion followed quickly. A second factory opened in Kano in 1954, serving the northern market, and a third was established in Onitsha in 1956 to serve the eastern region. Together, these factories created a nationwide industrial footprint at a time when modern manufacturing was still rare in Nigeria. The Onitsha factory was later destroyed during the civil war, a reminder of how national conflict disrupted early industrial progress.
Odutola strengthened his industrial base by establishing the Odutola Tyre and Rubber Company to manufacture tread rubber locally. In 1967, he founded Odutola Nigerian Industries Limited in Ijebu Ode to produce bicycle and motorcycle tyres and tubes, meeting the growing demand for affordable transportation across the country.
Education and Community Investment
Beyond business, Odutola invested heavily in education and community development. In 1948, he founded Adeola Odutola College in Ijebu Ode, contributing to the training of future generations. His commitment to education reflected a belief that industrial growth depended on skilled and disciplined citizens.
Within Ijebu society, he held the chieftaincy title Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu Ode, a title traditionally associated with commercial leadership and civic responsibility. His position symbolised the respect he commanded as a businessman whose success benefited the wider community.
Public Service and Legislative Life
Odutola’s influence extended into public service. He served in the Western House of Assembly during the 1950s and was active in legislative affairs during Nigeria’s late colonial period. Following the transition to independence, he was elected to the Senate in 1960, where he served until December 1964.
His legislative experience shaped his understanding of economic policy and governance. It also informed his later advocacy for manufacturing, allowing him to engage government not only as an industrialist but as a former lawmaker who understood the realities of policy making.
Leadership of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
One of Odutola’s most nationally significant roles came through the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. In December 1971, he became the first President of MAN following its emergence as a national body. His leadership helped position manufacturing as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic future rather than a peripheral activity.
Under his stewardship, MAN became a strong voice for industrial development, advocating for policies that supported local production and encouraged Nigerian ownership of factories. His tenure reinforced the idea that sustainable economic growth depended on organised industry and long term investment.
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Honours and Final Years
Odutola’s contributions earned him wide recognition. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1948 and later received national honours including the Order of the Federal Republic in 1966 and the Commander of the Order of the Niger in 1982. He passed away on April 13, 1995, leaving behind a legacy rooted in enterprise, service, and institution building.
Author’s Note
Chief Adeola Odutola’s life reminds us that progress is built through patience, structure, and commitment to national development. His journey from clerk to industrialist, legislator, and industry leader shows how one individual can influence commerce, policy, and community at the same time. The lasting lesson is clear, industries grow when people invest not only in profit, but in systems, skills, and institutions that endure.
References
Reuben Abati and Sesan Ajayi, Odutola, The Biography of T. Adeola Odutola, Africa Leadership Forum, 1995.
Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation, ODUTOLA, Timothy Chief (Late).
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