On July 16, 1926, Sir Michael Otedola was born in Odoragunsin, Epe Local Government Area, Lagos State, into a Muslim family. On May 5, 2014, he passed away at home in Epe, Lagos, his hometown. He received a scholarship to study journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London after relocating to Lagos to further his studies, and he graduated in 1958. Before becoming a reporter at the St. Pancras Chronicle and then a reporter and then subeditor at The Guardian and The Times in England, he started his career as a teacher.
Upon his return to Nigeria in 1959, he was named Editor of the Western Nigeria Illustrated and worked as an Information Officer for the Western Nigeria administration. He entered the field of public relations in 1961 and worked for Mobil Oil Group of Companies from 1964 to 1977 and Western Nigeria Television/Western Broadcasting Service from 1961 to 1964. After leaving Mobil, he continued to serve as a consultant to Mobil. He was one of 15 distinguished Nigerians who received Lifetime Achievement Awards, according to an announcement made by the ThisDay newspaper in February 2010. Femi Otedola, his son, became the wealthy owner of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, a major oil company in Nigeria. Following his passing, the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education was given his name. On May 5, 2014, Sir Michael Otedola passed away at his house in Epe, Lagos, his hometown.
His tenure lasted Between January 2, 1992 – November 17, 1993, when the somber voice of General Sani Abacha on national television marked the end of civilian governance.