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Senator Akinlabi AbduRasheed Olasunkanmi was born 8th of March 1956 in Odeomu, Ayedade Local Government Area of Osun State.He holds a Master’s Degree (1986), in Business Administration in Finance from the University of the District of Columbia Washington, D.C. USA. He had his first degree in the same course of study from Howard University, Washington, D.C. USA, where he won prizes for the Dean’s Honours list for four semesters; for exceptional performance (1983-1985). Upon his return to the country in 1985, he joined the NYSC and did his primary assignment at NAL Merchant Bank 1986/1987 and was thereafter employed. He cut his teeth in banking and finance and rose to the managerial cadre as Assistant Manager Corporate banking between 1990-1992.

He later took his gained hands-on experience into the real estate sector when he was appointed Head, Credit/Mortgage product department of Union Trust Building Society Limited, where he served for three years 1992-1994 before the entrepreneurial spirit took over. Senator Olasunkanmi became President Jamakex Int. Co. Ltd and also doubled as the Chief Executive Officer of Tobsey Properties Limited between 1994 and 2003, when he took a full plunge into politics. Brimming with a successful corporate career experience in diverse fields, it was not a herculean task to make an in-road into full time politics from the fringe. He joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and with his pedigree, after a stint, emerged its Senatorial Candidate for Osun West.

He contested and won election into the Senate in 2003. As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he was adept and dexterous; he played the game neat and was never to be associated with controversies. He shone like a star and distinguished himself. He was at different times the Chairman Senate Committee on Army (2003-2004); Vice Chairman, Senate Services Committee (2004-2005); Chairman Senate Committee on Education (March-May 2005); Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Education (July 2005- June 2007); he was also a member of Senate Committees on Internal Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, INEC, Interparliamentary Affairs, Defence and Public Accounts.

He wanted to further his ambition by returning to the Senate in 2007, with the acquired experience in his first term, but this was not to be. Despite having the momentum to win, the Party leadership in the state prevailed on him to yield the position to another candidate. This was a difficult request but being a disciplined party man, he agreed without triggering any crisis or division within the party. According to him” I saw this as my own sacrifice and contribution to the struggle for our Party to maintain the status quo in Osun state”.

This level-headedness and discipline did not go unnoticed by the leadership. He was nominated as one of the candidates for the Osun State ministerial slot for consideration by President Umar Yaradua in July 2007. As providence would have it, he was the chosen one. He held that position consistently throughout the lifetime of the Yaradua/Jonathan administration. He survived all cabinet reshuffles and ended his record of service as the longest serving minister from the South West in that administration.