My Story
From Humble Beginnings to Purpose-Driven Impact
My journey is a testimony of faith, resilience, sacrifice, grace, and purpose.
I did not start with everything in place. I started with hope, family sacrifice, faith in God, and a determination to keep growing. From the streets of Surulere, Lagos, to ministry platforms across nations, from worship leadership to product leadership, from personal struggles to global opportunities, my story is proof that God can take an ordinary life and use it for extraordinary impact.
This is not just a story of success.
It is a story of grace.
It is a story of becoming.
It is a story of purpose.
The Beginning
Built on Sacrifice, Faith, and Determination
My story began with humble roots.
My parents are Mr Yaya Olugbemi and Mrs. Temilade Bakinson (deceased), I am the second son from a family of six children, with wonderful siblings – Olamilekan Ayeni, Abiola, Kolawole (deceased), Adeyinka and Olubukola.
Lived in one of those houses in Ijeshatedo Surulere with leaking to open roofs with all family squeezed in one room, with all of us doing all we can to make ends meet and support that family, from shoe making to hawking on the streets selling soap, joining construction works, selling food in transport garages, selling pure water and Gala (sausage) under the bridge of Ojuelegba Lagos. It is indeed an unforgettable journey but of resilience, faith and determination.
There was a time when making it to university looked almost impossible. It was not because there was no dream, but because the road was difficult and the resources were limited. Yet, my mother refused to give up on me. She moved with me from state to state, from one university and college to another, searching for an opportunity for me to be admitted and educated.
I grew up seeing the power of sacrifice. My family sold cold drinks and gala under the bridge at Ojuelegba, Lagos, and we hawked across the streets of Surulere to make ends meet. Those years taught me lessons that no classroom could fully teach humility, discipline, courage, gratitude, and the importance of never despising small beginnings.
Eventually, I studied A-levels at Kwara Polytechnic and later gained admission into the University of Ilorin, where I graduated in Political Science in 2001. That journey became one of the early proofs in my life that persistence, family support, and God’s grace can open doors that once looked impossible.
The Faith Turning Point
Finding Christ, Purpose, and a New Identity
My faith journey became one of the defining foundations of my life.
Coming from a Muslim family background, I accepted Christ in 1993. That decision changed the direction of my life and awakened in me a deep desire to serve God. At the early stage of my Christian journey, I discovered a passion for worship and music. I wanted to worship God, lead people into His presence, and use my life in service to Him.
But the beginning was not easy. I was not always the preferred singer. Others were often considered better, more gifted, or more ready. Instead of allowing rejection or comparison to stop me, I turned it into motivation. I decided to learn, grow, and become better — not to prove a point to anyone, but because I had encountered the love of Christ and wanted to serve Him with excellence.
That season taught me that calling is not always recognized immediately by people. Sometimes, calling must be nurtured quietly, faithfully, and consistently before it becomes visible.
Learning in the Shadows
The Discipline Behind the Calling
My growth in worship did not happen by accident.
I sought out people who were ahead of me. I attended Shalom Music School under Pastor Victor Jibuike, who invested time, love, and training into me. I was also encouraged by leaders and mentors who helped me keep going, including Ebele Osemena and Harry Oghogho of Freedom in Christ Mission. And my amazing colleagues that gave me that holy competition, we challenged ourselves to get better, not rivalry.
I learnt the importance of praying, waiting, being God-fearing, learning, loving and serving as fundamental requirement to growth and success.
There were times I would go from church to church, quietly observing what stronger worship teams were doing. I found out rehearsal times, slipped into the back seats uninvited, and watched how they practiced, arranged harmonies, sang, led songs, and prepared for ministry. I hid in the shadows, not looking for attention, but looking for growth.
Those hidden seasons shaped me.
They taught me that greatness is often formed privately before it is seen publicly. They taught me that excellence requires humility. They taught me that when God gives you a passion, you must be willing to submit to the process that develops it.
Growing Through Service
From Learner to Worship Leader and Trainer
When I moved to Ilorin for my studies, I joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Liveliest People Model Parish, Led by Rev. Sam Ore. By then, I had started polishing my singing, score songs, write songs, arrange vocals, and lead worship more effectively.
This became the golden era of that generation of the Liveliest Mass choir, as the parish brought together the likes of myself, Bolaji Olarewaju (Big B), Sam Amao, Dayo Tewogbade, Emmanuel Babalola and many more who grew to do great exploit in the ministry of music locally and internationally.
Because I wanted to keep growing, I started Glory Vocal School — not only to teach others, but also to keep learning as I taught. This became one of the earliest expressions of a pattern that has followed my life: I grow, and I help others grow.
In 1997, I was led to start the music outreach group OMRC — Olugbemi Matthew & the Royal Commission. It became a platform for worship, music outreach, training, and ministry. We ministered in churches, schools, universities, prisons, and across campuses, using music as a tool of service, encouragement, and spiritual impact.
This became a movement, as we raise teams, do outreach converts, fill up the indoor sport hall of Kwara state stadium for the gospel. Raised a team of amazing people, musicians and singers, some of which are now doing great exploit around the world, like the likes of Dunsin Oyekan, who was the team’s bass guitarist, and many more who are now professionals in their various fields.
That season raised many people, strengthened many worship teams, and created a ministry family whose impact later spread across different parts of the world.
The Ministry Assignment
Worship as Service, Not Performance
Everywhere I have been, I have believed in raising teams, building people, and serving God with sincerity.
My conviction has always been that ministry is not primarily about money, fame, or performance. It is about service. It is about pointing people to God. It is about using what God has given us to bless others and build His kingdom.
In Ilorin, I served as the state music director of all model parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Kwara State, training worship teams and individuals. I grew into mentorship, leadership, and deeper service. I was later ordained as a deacon in RCCG and continued to serve in ministry.
Over the years, this ministry expression expanded through worship events, music training, conferences, concerts, and outreach platforms.
Lagos, Royal Crew, and Wider Ministry Impact
Expanding the Vision
In 2001, I moved to Lagos, where I served as Music Director and Church Administrator at RCCG House of David for 10 years. Got married to my wonderful wife and gift from God, Olubunmi Monisola (Adeyanju), and we are blessed with three wonderful sons; Micheal, Samuel and Prince. During this period, the Lagos music outreach team continued to grow, and OMRC was later rebranded into Royal Crew.
Through Royal Crew, we continued music outreaches in different parts of Lagos and other states in Nigeria. We staged worship events, trained singers, served churches, and released the album Victory, which received strong remarks locally and internationally.
The ministry also opened doors for wider platforms, including national television appearances, concerts, workshops, conferences, and international ministry engagements.
During this period, the Redeemed Christian Church of God was going to start the Ambassadors Parish in Accra Ghana, a parish with a strategic vision of reaching the elites in the city of Accra for Christ, and Matthew was assigned to establish the worship team for this mission and pioneer the music team of what is now the biggest Redeem church in the city of Accra.
South Africa and Worship Explosion
Taking Worship Across Cities
In 2011, I moved to South Africa and began a new chapter of ministry and professional growth.
By the Grace of God, raised a new Royal Crew team and launched Worship Explosion, a music outreach mission with a vision to raise worship altars across the cities of South Africa. Worship Explosion brought together music ministers from different denominations who are sold-out to worshiping God in Spirit and in truth and created opportunities for churches and communities to encounter God through worship. This mission team consist of worship leaders, musicians, event planners, designs and photographers with just one purpose, to Glorify God.
In South Africa, I served in several ministry leadership roles, including Music Director at Kingsway International Christian Centre, Music Director and Assistant Pastor at RCCG House of Praise Johannesburg, and Music Pastor at Springs of Mercy Church.
One of the most unique experiences of that season was being engaged by First Capital Holdings to lead the organization and staff in worship before work hours every day for one year. That experience helped me understand that ministry is not limited to the church building. God can use worship, leadership, and service in the marketplace too.
The Marketplace Calling
From Ministry Impact to Product and Transformation Leadership
As I continued to serve in ministry, God also opened doors for me to grow professionally.
My journey moved into product management, agile delivery, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, marketplaces, banking, and executive leadership. What started as a life of worship and service expanded into building products, platforms, teams, and systems that solve real problems.
Over the years, I have served across organizations including iDbase Software, PwC South Africa, Gumtree, Nedbank, Solution Community, Anjola Consulting, and other digital transformation environments. My professional journey has included leading product teams, improving digital banking experiences, contributing to marketplace innovation, building AI-powered solutions, mentoring product professionals, and helping organizations connect strategy with execution.
For me, the marketplace is also a mission field.
It is a place to serve with excellence.
It is a place to solve problems.
It is a place to build people.
It is a place to bring values, purpose, and transformation into systems that affect lives.
Writing, Teaching, and Mentorship
Multiplying Impact Through Knowledge
As my journey grew, writing and teaching became another expression of my assignment.
I have authored professional books including The Product Manager’s Playbook, The Strategic Product Leader, and Starting Over. These books were written to help product professionals, career changers, and leaders gain clarity, confidence, and practical direction.
My thought leadership has also extended through articles, research, speaking platforms, and professional publications on product management, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital transformation, product operations, and leadership. My work has appeared across platforms including Mind the Product, USAII, ResearchGate, Academia.edu, Nexford University Washington, LinkedIn European American Journals, Google Scholar, and international conference proceedings.
Mentorship is also central to my story. I have had the privilege of mentoring talents globally through platforms such as ADPList and other professional communities. Being recognized among ADPList100 as one of the world’s influential mentors is not just an award to me; it is a reminder that lives are being touched, guided, and strengthened through service
My Life Message
Purpose Is Bigger Than Position
Looking back, I see a clear thread through my journey: God has been building a life of purpose.
The boy who once watched others from the back seat became a worship leader.
The student who almost missed university became a graduate and lifelong learner.
The young believer who simply wanted to serve became a pastor, mentor, and ministry builder.
The professional who kept learning became a product leader, author, speaker, and transformation strategist.
My story is not perfect, but it is purposeful.
It is a story of grace.
It is a story of resilience.
It is a story of faith.
It is a story of growth.
It is a story of building others while becoming more of what God has called me to be.
The Journey Continues
Still more land to conquer
I believe every life carries a seed of greatness, but that seed must be nurtured through faith, discipline, service, learning, and courage.
My mission is to keep building people, building products, building purpose, and serving God across every platform He opens — whether in ministry, the marketplace, mentorship, speaking, writing, or leadership.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.