Akinola Maja

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Chief Akinola Maja was a Nigerian medical doctor, businessman, philanthropist and politician. He led the Nigerian Youth Movement from 1944 to 1951 and later headed Egbe Omo Oduduwa in 1953. He held Lagos chieftaincy titles Baba Eko (Father of Lagos) and Jagunmolu of Orile-Ijaiye.

Born Sope Akinola Pearce in Lagos, his father was James Adaramaja Pearce and his mother sold bread. After facing racial discrimination in Scotland in 1918, he changed his surname to Maja and vowed his descendants would have Nigerian names. He trained as a doctor at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1918, and returned to Nigeria in 1921, where he set up a private clinic after a brief civil service stint.

In 1933 he helped found the National Bank of Nigeria, which connected with the Action Group and led to the Daily Service newspaper. He also pursued other businesses, including a ceramic project in Ikorodu and serving as a director of the National Investment and Properties Company. He married Comfort Obasa Maja, daughter of Prince Orisadipe Obasa, and they had four children. Their home at Garber Square is part of Lagos history tours. His son Oladipo Maja became a doctor and started the Maja Eye Hospital. Akinola Maja died in 1976 at the age of 88.