RICHARD ERHUMUSE YISAU GIWA-OSAGIE was born on the 22nd of July into the Oloke family of Benin-City in Edo Kingdom.  He started his early life in Benin-City where he had his Primary Education. He attended Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan for West African School Certificate and Cambridge Higher School Certificate. He served as the Senior Prefect in his final year.

A Chartered Accountant, he started his accountancy career in 1972 when he was articled in an international accounting firm, Hammond Banner & Co. which was later known as   Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (Chartered Accountants).

He passed all his professional accountancy exams at first attempt and won the Bayliss Smith Prize in advanced accounting in the final professional examinations in November 1976. He became an Associate of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ACA) in March, 1977 and was elected a Fellow (FCA) in June, 1984.

Richard left the employment of Deloitte, Haskins and Sells in March, 1979 and joined the partnership of Onwufuju, Giwa-Osagie & Co. (Chartered Accountants). He is presently the Managing Partner of Giwa-Osagie, DFK & Co. (Chartered Accountants), a member firm of DFK International. In the course of his career, he has rendered professional services to all sectors of the economy and government. These include audit, accountancy, tax consultancy, commission enquiry and other financial advisory services.

His quest for professional advancement took him to the University of Ibadan where he obtained Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in 1991. He was President of the University of Ibadan “MBA” Alumni Association, Lagos Zone from January 1993 - 1996. He is the Pioneer Vice Chairman of Akintola Williams, Deloitte Alumni Association and he was the Honorary Treasurer of Ikoyi Club 1938 from Feb. 2006 to Feb. 2008.  

He is a Paul Harris Fellow (5*) and Benefactor of Rotary Foundation, Life member of Rotarians for Fighting Aids (RFFA). He has attended many Rotary International Annual Conventions in all continents and two R.I. Presidential Conferences.

He was granted the honorary citizenship of the City of Sarasota, Florida, USA by the Mayor of Sarasota, Florida in January, 2008 due to his Rotary commitments.