As Chairman and CEO from inception until his retirement from executive duties in 2002, Ogunlana oversaw the company’s evolution into a prominent insurance broking and consulting firm, guiding its growth amid Nigeria’s evolving regulatory landscape. Under his leadership, SCIB expanded its service offerings to include comprehensive risk advisory and broking solutions, adapting to post-indigenisation policies that emphasised local participation in key industries. The firm’s commitment to integrity, knowledge, and corporate governance-core principles instilled by Ogunlana-helped it navigate challenges such as foreign divestments, including Standard Chartered Bank’s global exit from non-banking operations, which led to the adoption of the SCIB name.
Ogunlana’s ongoing role as non-executive chairman has sustained SCIB’s influence, with the company marking its 40th anniversary in 2018 by setting ambitious goals for regional expansion and aiming to become Africa’s leading broker. His vision has contributed to elevating industry standards through emphasis on professional development, aligning with his broader efforts as a founding member and past president of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. This legacy has positioned SCIB as a benchmark for ethical practices and training initiatives in Nigerian insurance.
Philanthropic activities
Following his retirement from full-time employment in the insurance industry in 2002, Olabode Ogunlana established and continues to support an insurance training centre in his hometown of Ogere Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Initiated in 1985, the centre was originally designed to equip young Nigerians with skills to become chartered insurance practitioners, but it has since broadened to provide management training across various sectors. Now managed by his son, Solanke, the facility remains operational as a community resource for professional development, reflecting Ogunlana’s commitment to youth empowerment through education and skill-building. Ogunlana has also extended his philanthropic efforts to Scouting initiatives on an international scale.
As a long-time board member of the World Scout Foundation, he has contributed to global youth development programmes, leveraging his extensive experience as Nigeria’s former Chief Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of Nigeria and Chairman of the Africa Scout Region to support educational and leadership opportunities for young people worldwide.
‘These efforts aim to educate and empower communities by reinforcing cultural identity and addressing historical injustices.’
His involvement underscores a dedication to fostering moral and practical growth among youth, principles he has championed throughout his life. In community projects, Ogunlana has actively promoted Yoruba culture and heritage as a means of cultural preservation and empowerment. Since the mid-1970s, he has worn traditional Yoruba attire exclusively-even during international engagements, such as meetings with British royalty-to encourage cultural pride among Nigerians, particularly the youth. He has conducted extensive research on Yoruba origins, culminating in ongoing doctoral studies and plans for publications on topics including the historical impacts of the slave trade and contemporary social issues like modern slavery. These efforts aim to educate and empower communities by reinforcing cultural identity and addressing historical injustices. Born in 1932, Ogunlana demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning in his later years, returning to formal education after his retirement in 2002 by enrolling in a refresher course in fine arts at the Institute of Fine Arts Academy. This pursuit built on his earlier postgraduate studies in the UK and aligned with his cultural research, exemplifying his belief in continuous personal and communal growth even into advanced age.
ENGR. DR E. J. AMANA, OON, KJW
Born on December 11, 1938, in Oyubia, Akwa Ibom State. Engr. Dr Edet James Amana attended Methodist College, Uzuakoli, and Kings College, Lagos, before proceeding to Imperial College, London, where he attained his B.Sc in Civil Engineering (First Class Honours) in 1963/64 and Ph.D in Structural Engineering later.
On graduation, he worked as a senior engineer in the Consulting Office of Flint and Neill and Sir Bruce White Wolfe Barry and Partners Consulting Engineers, both in London between 1966 and 1969. His work in the UK was in general civil and structural engineering design and consultancy. Notable among his projects are the 1000 ft Crystal Palace Television Mast (1966-1968) and his prize-winning design of the Hogarth Temporary Flyover, London. He was also involved in the design of port and harbour works, including the port of Dammam. The Port of Dammam (officially known as King Abdulaziz Port) is located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, roughly 5 nautical miles off the coast and just south of Ras Tanura.
The prominent Nigerian civil engineer Chief Dr Edet James Amana (Engr. Dr E. J. Amana) consulted on the Port of Dammam early in his career, conducting port and harbour structural work before founding the Amana Consortium Limited.
From 1969 to 1972, he was a senior engineer with Shell-BP Petroleum Development Co. Ltd., where he applied his experience to the design of civil engineering facilities for the oil industry.