Hon. Oloye Akin Alabi is a depiction of the real life story of salesman turn law maker. One legislator who’s zest to inspire, motivate and educate people on the secrets of succeeding using the skill of salesmanship takes his cause to the lower chamber of the federal house of representatives. The 46 years old businessman turned politician represents the people of Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency in Oyo State.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria to the family of Chief and Chief (Mrs) Adediran Alabi where he completed his primary education at Command Children School, Ibadan, and secondary school education at Federal Government College, Enugu, South East, Nigeria.
Akin Alabi holds a Bachelor of Science in Politics and International Relations from Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria. He obtained a Higher National Diploma from Ibadan with HND in Business Administration. He holds a masters degree in marketing from the University of Liverpool and a certificate in Intellectual Property Strategy from Harvard University.
Akin Alabi started his business career in 2003 writing and selling books, manuals and other information products. He then launched his own seminar and training company specializing in teaching and consulting for other young people starting their own small businesses. He also started publishing a business opportunity newspaper titled Income (now rested). To add to his publishing enterprise, Akin launched, World Soccer News, a weekly sports newspaper. Nigeria’s first online sports betting portal, with outlets across Nigeria. He got the idea for NairaBET when he visited the United Kingdom and went to a sports betting shop.
He created information manual about it and sold online. The success of the product prompted him to start his own online sports betting platform in Nigeria. Nairabet.com has its headquarters in Lagos with its nationwide operation regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. NairaBET is Nigeria’s first sports betting company.
Akin Alabi is involved in philanthropic works. He is the founder of Akin Alabi Foundation, a non-governmental, not for profit outfit, aimed at improving the well-being of the average Nigerian. With the motto, “touching lives one person at a time”; the foundation has successfully implemented projects like building and donating classrooms to primary schools, sinking of bore holes in areas where there is scarcity of water, financial empowerment of widows and a free business and career building event called Youth Enterprise Conference, held annually at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Akin Alabi is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He was once a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He declared his intention to contest for a seat in Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives. On June 20, 2019, Akin Alabi announced that he will be stepping down as CEO of Nairabet to concentrate on his political campaign. On 25 July 2019 Alabi emerged as chairman, house committee on intergovernmental affairs. The news was announced during the plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon. Alabi leveraged his presence on Social media where he has over 500 thousand followers across platforms as a leading young politician to interact with young people, teach them about how the legislature works.
by Raphael Atuu, Aug-Oct 2023.