Chairman's Citation (TPL. AKINDELE OLADELE, FNITP)
Tpl. Oladele Akindele, FNITP, was born in February 1959 to the family of Mr. Mathew and Mrs. Lucia Oreyemi Akindele (both of blessed memory) in Ipetu-Ijesha, Oriade South Local Council Development Area of Osun State.
He began his elementary education at All Saints Catholic Church School, Ipeeshia, and later enrolled at Akure Secondary Commercial School, Akure, Ondo State, in 1972 to commence his secondary education. In 1974, he moved to Fiditi Grammar School, Fiditi, Oyo State—following his elder brother, a teacher who had been transferred there—and obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) with Grade 1 in 1977.
Tpl. Akindele briefly worked as a Film Editor in the News and Programmes Department of the Western Nigerian Television House, Agodi, Ibadan (now Nigerian Television Authority, NTA Ibadan), between 1977 and 1979. In 1979, he won the First Prize (Elephant Tusks Award) at the maiden edition of the NTA Film Festival and Competition held in Enugu, Enugu State. That same year, he gained admission to The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to study Urban and Regional Planning.
Fondly known as Tpl. Dele Akindele, he obtained his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Urban and Regional Planning in 1983, followed by the Full Professional Diploma (FPD) in 1986. He emerged as the Best Overall Student in Town Planning at both levels.
Tpl. Akindele is a Registered Town Planner, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (FNITP), and a member of the Town Planners Registration Council (TOPREC). With nearly three decades of experience in the private sector, he worked with Environscape Planning Consultants, Ibadan—an urban and regional planning firm under the leadership of the late Chief Oladosu Babatunde. He also completed his NYSC service in 1983–1984 at the Development Control Unit of the then Ministry of Economic Planning and Land Matters (now Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development), Lagos State.
In September 2024, he was elected Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Lagos State Chapter. Prior to that, he served as the Vice Chairman of the State Chapter and as Chairman of the Practice Committee at the National Level (2012–2014). Over the years, he has served in several committees at both the state and national levels, either as chairman or member.
Tpl. Dele Akindele is the Managing Partner at Dele Akindele & Co., a firm of registered urban and regional planners. Working independently and in collaboration with other firms and professionals in the built environment, he has successfully undertaken numerous projects for private individuals, corporate organizations, and government agencies.
He is an ordained Elder in the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C.), Nigeria and Overseas. He is happily married to Deaconess Grace Bola Akindele, and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.
