At 71 years old, Dr. Frederick Bolaji’s life journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
A native of Egbe in Kogi State, he’s a seasoned banker turned lawyer whose experience behind bars renewed a childhood dream and led him to earn a PhD from Babcock University.
In this exclusive interview with Grace Edema, he shares his inspiring story, from humble beginnings to banking leadership, wrongful detention and an enduring passion for law.
“I’m the second child in my family, from Egbe, a town known for its strong missionary heritage and the ECWA Hospital,” Dr. Bolaji begins.
His school journey was full of hurdles. Although initially admitted into the prestigious Egbe Secondary School, financial difficulties kept him at home for three years before he enrolled at the newly established Eruku Commercial Secondary School.
“There, we were literally pioneers, making blocks, fetching water, even farming to help build the school. It was tough, but it taught me resilience.”
Despite limited resources, he excelled academically, eventually proceeding to Kwara Polytechnic for his A-Levels and later earning a B.Sc. (Honours) in Economics from the University of Ibadan.
After his NYSC service in Kaduna State, Dr. Bolaji joined the International Bank for West Africa (later Afribank).
Over time, the bank underwent numerous transformations — becoming Mainstreet Bank, then Skye Bank, and now Polaris Bank.
He rose through the ranks to become Deputy General Manager, but growing unrest with leadership changes and questionable practices led him to retire voluntarily.
“Many young, inexperienced people suddenly got control and wealth in banking, some of whom I think need to be investigated. That environment was toxic, and I decided to leave on my own terms.”
Despite offers to stay, he chose to pursue something different.
While still at the bank, Dr. Bolaji had quietly enrolled at Lagos State University to study law, attending weekend classes.
“Law was always my first love,” he confesses, “but circumstances forced me to study economics instead. My father was a devout Christian who often warned me that ‘lawyers will not make heaven,’ so I avoided it early on.”
However, a dramatic event in his banking career changed everything. As a Branch Manager, he became embroiled in a scandal involving some foreign businessmen and bank directors.
Despite clear evidence of his innocence, he was arrested and detained at Alagbon Police Station for 65 days, sleeping on the bare floor.
“It was a case of being used as a scapegoat in an internal power struggle. That experience reignited my desire to study law seriously — I wanted to understand the system and fight injustice.”
Following his release, Dr. Bolaji doubled down on his legal studies, graduating in 2004 before attending Nigerian Law School in Abuja.
He returned briefly to the bank before retiring fully in 2006 to focus on law practice.
He later accepted a role as Executive Director at Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank) during the Central Bank of Nigeria’s interventions but stepped aside when the bank was sold to new investors.
Alongside law, he also completed professional qualifications as a Chartered Banker and Chartered Accountant.
Recently, Dr. Bolaji celebrated another milestone, earning a PhD from Babcock University.
“I only realized I was the oldest graduate on convocation day,” he laughs.
“There was another woman born the same year, but I was a few months older.”
He describes law as a practical and accessible field, dispelling myths about its complexity.
His disciplined reading routine includes waking at 2 a.m. to study, balancing work and academic life through careful scheduling.
Dr. Bolaji takes pride in Nigeria’s global achievements. “Nigerians are excelling everywhere, from healthcare to academia, music to technology. The key is discipline, consistency, and creating the right environment.”
Despite his impressive credentials, he remains humble and open.
“I’ve had calls from former colleagues abroad, and there are opportunities in international arbitration and foreign direct investment where I can contribute.”
He stressed that Nigerians are intelligent and capable, and with focus and hard work, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
