Olubunmi Amao: A Woman of Steel Leaving Indelible Footprints in Ibadan and Beyond

In a city as rich in heritage and culture as Ibadan, few names resonate across public service, cultural advocacy, and entrepreneurship as powerfully as Olubunmi Amao. Known for her relentless drive, transformative leadership, and artistic vision, Amao’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and a deep-rooted commitment to community. She is a woman of steel who wears many hats with enviable grace and whose legacy continues to grow by the day.

Championing Tourism and Culture in Public Service

When Olubunmi Amao was appointed Special Adviser on Tourism to the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, many underestimated the impact she would have. Prior to her appointment, the tourism sector was largely dormant, with minimal visibility or growth. However, Amao brought a fresh lens and strategic leadership that changed the narrative. Under her guidance, Oyo State began receiving national recognition for its rejuvenated tourism strategy, including multiple awards that attested to her achievements.

Her impact became even more pronounced during her tenure as Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC). With a clear vision for cultural renaissance, Amao rebranded the agency’s image, unveiling the iconic Queen Idia mask at CBAAC’s Broad Street office in Lagos. This unveiling was not just a ceremonial act, it was a strategic move to reassert the relevance of African heritage in global consciousness. For her, culture was not only history but also currency for identity and influence.

A Hall of Fame for Africa’s Greats

Amao’s most ambitious project at CBAAC was the creation of the Black and African Hall of Fame, a curated celebration of influential figures who shaped the continent’s destiny. The Hall included historic leaders like Olusegun Obasanjo, Jomo Kenyatta, Muammar Gaddafi, and Leopold Senghor, alongside cultural legends like Chinua Achebe, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and even international figures like Stevie Wonder and Hugh Masekela. This project served not only to preserve memory but also to educate a new generation on the weight of African excellence.

In alignment with the reintroduction of history into Nigeria’s school curriculum, Amao ensured that FESTAC ’77 and its key contributors were well-documented in the Hall. It was her way of reviving the spirit of the legendary festival, and a gentle reminder that African unity through culture is both achievable and powerful.

Elevating the Creative Economy

Long before it became trendy to speak about the creative economy, Amao had already keyed into its transformative potential. Backed by data from UNCTAD, she recognized that the creative sector could drive job creation, reduce inequality, and stimulate economic growth. She launched nationwide skills training in bead making, costume design, makeup artistry, and hairstyling targeting youths across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Her leadership made CBAAC more than a cultural archive. It became a center for empowerment, using African creativity to solve pressing challenges like unemployment and social disconnection.

Business Brilliance: The Furniture Maven of Ibadan

Even after leaving public office, Olubunmi Amao’s story did not slow down, it simply evolved. Leveraging her natural flair for aesthetics, she expanded into the world of bespoke furniture. What started as a hobby, rearranging living spaces quickly turned into a thriving business. Her designs blend contemporary elegance with African roots, offering functionality with flair.

Her crowning moment in this sector came when she was commissioned to design the ultramodern palace of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin. Despite heavy rains, the inauguration ceremony drew dignitaries and residents from across Ibadan, all eager to witness this architectural marvel. The late monarch, in appreciation, had conferred on her the title Yeyemeto ofIbadanland a gesture that acknowledged not just her talent, but her unwavering commitment to the city’s legacy.

Though his passing cut short the ceremonial celebration, there is a widespread belief that the newly installed 44th Olubadan will continue the honour, recognizing Amao’s contributions to Ibadan’s cultural and structural development.

Olubunmi Amao stands as a testament to what it means to live purposefully across multiple spheres—government, culture, business, and community. She is a cultural custodian, an entrepreneurial force, and a legacy builder. In a time when leadership often lacks authenticity, her story reminds us that integrity, passion, and vision can still move mountains.