Otunba (Dr.) Michael Olasubomi Balogun graduated from high school in 1952, and from the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan in 1955. He went on to study Law at the London School of Economics and was called to the English Bar in December 1959.
Otunba Balogun began his career in the legal profession soon thereafter and was a pioneer in many professional areas of his life. He was the first Nigerian to receive special training in Legal Drafting in Whitehall and the City of London and was also the first Principal Counsel and company secretary to the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank.
He amassed significantexperience working at institutions like the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. He also worked as the Director in charge of Operations of ICONSecurities.
In 1977, Otunba Balogun decided to become an entrepreneur and opened his own company, City Securities Limited, a stockbroking and Issuing House company, the first wholly owned Nigerian private company to provide those services.
Otunba Balogun subsequently went on to set up the first privately owned merchant bank without international support, First City Merchant Bank Limited, which later became a full service commercial and retail bank: First City Monument Bank. Under his leadership as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, FCMB in its first 20 years’ experienced steady growth and international recognition.
A man of great awards, accolades and recognition, he was awarded a Degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by the University of Ibadan and was given the prestigious honour of Cavalier dell’Ordine Al Meritodella Repubblica Italiana(Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy) by the President of the Republic of Italy in 1994. A devoted Christian, he has and continues to support, financially and otherwise, many Christian and Islamic religious organizations.
As an author and writer, he presented his memoir, ’the Cross, the Triumph and the Crown’ in the year 2000 and dedicated the entire sale proceeds to the Ogun State Paediatric Centre.
Otunba Balogun, who was installed the title of Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu by his royal majesty, the Awujale of Ijebuland, in 1995, is happily married to his wife, Olori Abimbola Adetutu Balogun and they have four very accomplished sons.