THE LATE CHHIEF S.L AKINTOLA PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE POLITICAL EMANCIPATION OF NIGERIA FROM COLONIAL RULE AND IN THE SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE NIGERIAN STATE. HE REMAINS A FASCINATING EVEN IF CONTROVERSIAL ,AND THIS SCHORLARLY ASSESMENT OF HIM HELPS TO ILLUMINATE THE HISTORY OF NIGERIA'S RECENT PAST, AND IN SO DOING ALSO SHEDS LIGHT ON THE FUTURE COURSE OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA.