Odimayo Okunjimi John (Hon.)

About Odimayo Okunjimi John (Hon.)

Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo, popularly known as Jimi Odimayo or “Omo’ba,” is a Nigerian accountant, entrepreneur and politician from Ondo State. He represents the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He is serving in the 10th National Assembly, where he is Chairman of the House Committee on the National Population Commission.

Odimayo was born on August 26, 1980, and is from Irele in Ondo State. He is the son of the late Oba Feyisara Odimayo, who served as the Olofun of Irele Kingdom. He attended Anglican Primary School and Arerin Grammar School, completing his secondary education in 1996. He later studied Accountancy at Yaba College of Technology, graduating in 2007. During his National Youth Service Corps programme in Ogun State, he also obtained his professional accounting qualification through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

He further advanced his education with a postgraduate degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Liverpool. He also undertook executive management training at the University of Massachusetts, with a focus on negotiation and influence. His academic background in accounting and corporate finance subsequently became relevant to his professional career in the private sector and energy industry.

Before entering elective politics, Odimayo developed considerable experience in finance and the energy sector. He began his professional career as an Account Officer with Acorn Petroleum PLC and subsequently held finance and commercial positions with companies including Somerset Energy Services, Bellpoint Energy and Addax and Oryx Group Nigeria. He later became the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Arowolo Group of Companies, a business group with interests in petroleum, logistics, transportation and agriculture.

Odimayo also became involved in public service before his election to the National Assembly. From 2016 to 2019, he served as a member of the Governing Council of the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, now known as the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology. In 2020, he participated in the APC governorship primary in Ondo State before stepping down from the contest and supporting the eventual party nominee, Rotimi Akeredolu.

His transition into federal politics came in the 2023 general election, when he contested the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency seat on the APC platform and was elected to the House of Representatives. He has since participated in legislative activities relating to development, public administration, healthcare, education and youth development. His sponsored bills have included proposals for a Federal Medical Centre in Ode-Irele, a National Skill Acquisition and Digital Hub in Irele, and amendments relating to federal universities of agriculture and the National Youth Service Corps.

As a representative of Okitipupa and Irele, Odimayo has also raised issues affecting infrastructure and economic activity in the constituency. In 2023, he brought before the House the issue of prolonged electricity shortages affecting communities in Irele, Okitipupa and neighbouring areas, highlighting the effect of inadequate power supply on businesses and residents. His legislative record also includes proposals concerning education, healthcare, population registration and skills development.

Odimayo continues to serve as the representative of Okitipupa/Irele in the 10th National Assembly under the APC. His current legislative responsibilities include chairing the House Committee on the National Population Commission, while his constituency representation has focused on infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment and youth-oriented development initiatives.