He started his career with Peat Marwick Ani Ogunde & Co. (KPMG) in 1982 as Audit Trainee and rose to the position of the Audit Senior. He later joined Maersk Nigeria Limited in 1989 as the Chief Accountant and rose to the position of the Finance Controller in 1998. He had worked variously at other companies including Aviation Development Company PLC (ADC) where he rose to the position of the Head of Accounts.

Mr. Akinola is an ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) guest lecturer at trainings organized by the Institute. He is also presently the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

Mr. Akinola was born on 26th June, 1960 and he is married with children.