Akinpelu Akinola is a seasoned legal and governance professional with over 18 years of experience driving excellence in corporate governance, legal advisory, regulatory compliance, and board leadership. As Assistant Director/Group Head, Ethics & Governance at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), his work spans managing the secretariat operations of high-level industry committees, fostering initiatives and innovative approaches to strengthening ethics, governance and compliance frameworks across the banking sector.

Previously, he served as Corporate Governance Manager, African Subsidiaries at First Bank of Nigeria Limited, where he elevated governance standards across six subsidiaries, contributing to the bank's 2017 World Finance Corporate Governance Award (Ghana). His expertise spans board secretariat operations, policy development, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

Akinpelu holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Obafemi Awolowo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2006. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN). He is also a member of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN) and the Association of Corporate Governance Practitioners of Nigeria (ACGPN). Recognized as an Honorary Senior Member of CIBN, he combines deep technical knowledge with a commitment to ethical leadership and organizational integrity.