In the competitive landscape of Nigerian enterprise, longevity is often the hardest asset to acquire. For Ọmọba Abimbola Onabanjo, a 45-year-old entrepreneur and public servant, the last 19 years have been a masterclass in building institutions that last. From founding Extol Security at the age of 25 to serving in the high-pressure corridors of the Lagos State Government, Onabanjo has emerged as a rare hybrid: a leader with the discipline of the private sector and the heart of an Ijebu traditionalist.
1. Building from Absolute Zero
While many business stories in Nigeria begin with inherited capital or political leverage, Onabanjo’s journey is rooted in the “Hustle of 2007.” A Banking and Finance graduate from LASU, he entered the security market—a sector then dominated by established players—and successfully disrupted it through service excellence. Today, Extol Security serves government agencies and NGOs alike, a testament to his belief that “when you build from nothing, you understand value differently.”
2. The Currency of Dependability
In the sectors where Onabanjo operates—Security, Oil & Gas (KMF Oil & Gas), and Protection Services (Kleensteps)—trust is not a marketing slogan; it is an existential requirement.
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The 19-Year Record: The fact that his businesses have thrived for nearly two decades in trust-intensive sectors speaks to an uncompromising level of integrity.
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Public Sector Discipline: During his tenure as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State (2019-2020), he became known as a “finisher,” focusing on data-driven policies and ensuring the sustainability of state initiatives.
3. A Bridge Between Generations
At 45, Onabanjo occupies a unique strategic position. He is young enough to relate to the frustrations of Nigeria’s “youth bulge” but experienced enough to have studied under the world’s most elite business minds at Harvard, Wharton, and Columbia.
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Translating Innovation: He doesn’t just understand youth energy; he has the framework to translate that energy into structures that create local jobs and industrial value.
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Ancestral Stewardship: His lineage, tracing back to the Awùjalẹ̀ Fasẹ̀ngbúwà, provides him with a deep institutional memory of Ijebu land, ensuring that his vision for modernization is always rooted in cultural respect.
4. The Problem-Solving Mindset
Whether it is tackling infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment, or the “brain drain,” Onabanjo approaches communal challenges as construction projects. He doesn’t just identify problems; he builds the systems required to solve them. His portfolio—spanning energy, security, and quality-of-life services—reflects a holistic understanding of what a modern community needs to thrive.
The Bottom Line Ọmọba Abimbola Onabanjo represents a new era of “Credible Catalysts.” He is a leader who understands that sustainable development isn’t about grand gestures, but about the consistent, strategic construction of institutions. For Ijebu land, he offers a blueprint for a future that is globally competitive yet proudly local.
