A renowned Nigerian diplomat, academic, and international affairs expert, Professor Bola A. Akinterinwa , whose career has spanned decades of excellence in diplomacy, education, and public service, as clocked 75.
Born on August 8, 1950, in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Akinterinwa attended St. Andrew’s Primary School, Ile-Oluji (1957–62) and St. Joseph’s College, Ondo (1965–69) before pursuing higher education in France at the University of Paris, Sorbonne (1973–75) and the Institute of Advanced International Studies, Paris (1975–78).
He began his career as an audit clerk at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (1970–73) before joining the Embassy of Nigeria in Paris as translator and protocol assistant in 1984. Akinterinwa later worked as a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), eventually rising to become its Director-General. He also served as editorial page editor at ThisDay Newspapers in 1996 and held the position of treasurer of the Nigerian Society of International Affairs.
A prolific author with over 20 books and numerous scholarly articles to his credit, Akinterinwa’s radical academic views and strong convictions have shaped discourse on diplomacy, international relations, and Nigeria’s foreign policy.
He is currently a Professor at the Achievers University in Owo, Ondo State. At Achievers University, where he is a member of the Governing Council, a faculty member in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, and the Director of Protocol, Akinterinwa has been instrumental in enhancing the institution’s global profile. He facilitated the establishment of the Institute of Diplomatic Practice, Culture and Language Development, and is driving efforts to create a French Digital Resource Centre in partnership with the French Embassy in Nigeria.
His work continues to bridge academia and diplomacy, inspiring students to become globally competitive. In recognition of his contributions, Achievers University lauded him as a “beacon of excellence in academia and beyond.”
Professor Akinterinwa is married to Mrs. Fehintola Akinterinwa.
