Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan
| Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan | |
|---|---|
| Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom | |
| Reign | 2009–present |
| Predecessor | Oba Banjo Mafimisebi |
| Born | 1950 (age 75–76) Ugbo Kingdom, Ondo State, Nigeria |
| House | Adetolugbo of Ugbo Kingdom |
| Father | Sir Frederick Adetolugbo |
Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan is a Nigerian businessman and the traditional ruler of Ugbo Kingdom, a Nigerian traditional state in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. He is the founder of Obat Oil, a privately held oil company.[1]
Obateru was born in 1950[citation needed] into a royal family in Ugbo and lost his father when he was young.[2] He became the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom in 2009 after a succession dispute and lawsuit.[3] He has made statements about Yoruba history that have been disputed by others.[4][5]
Obateru established Obat Oil in 1981.[6] The company has more than 50 gas stations across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, and the company owns a modern storage facility in Lagos that can store 65 million liters of petroleum products.[7] Obateru appointed his second son, Prince Akinfemiwa Akinrutan, as the managing director of the company.[8] In May 2013, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the son's arrest on charges of disobeying a court order, following a suit filed and argued before the court by Barrister Iyke Ukadike.[8] In 2021, Obat Oil was ordered to sell one of its assets, a hotel in Abuja, to fulfill a debt owed to a bank.[9][10]
In an interview with Daily Post in 2014, Obateru said "I have a $1 million watch, I use the same type of car like the Queen of England".[11] He also said he was the first Black person to buy the 2014 model of Bentley automobile.[12]
References
- ^ "My father not dead but very much alive and kicking ? OBAT Oil founder?s son rubbishes rumours". News Express Nigeria. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ^ "My wife considered me an unserious suitor – Akinruntan". The Punch. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "'My reign has brought peace and placed Ugbo on world map'". The Guardian Nigeria News. 9 November 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ^ "Again, royal rumbles on Yoruba history". The Guardian Nigeria News. 11 December 2016. Archived from the original on 2021-11-28. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (2017-05-28). "The Olugbo's claim of superiority over the Ooni has no logic – Prof. Akinyele". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ^ "Obateru Akinruntan's 200-Station Obat Oil Expansion Drive". This Day. 2026-01-25. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ^ Dan-Awoh, Deborah (2024-10-06). "Meet the top 10 CEOs leading Nigeria's Multi-billion Naira Oil Terminal industry". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ^ a b "Court Orders Arrest of Obat Oil Boss' Son". P.M. NEWS Nigeria. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "Ecobank seeks court permission to sell Obat Oil's property over N5 billion debt". Nairametrics. October 30, 2019. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- ^ "Court orders sale of Obat Oil's hotel to offset N5 billion debt". Premium Times. January 7, 2021. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ^ ""I have a $1million watch, I use the same type of car like the Queen of England" – Oba Obateru Akinruntan". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. January 14, 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "Ondo monarch becomes the first black person to own Bentley 2014 model". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2015.