He is a traditional aristocrat from Okada town in Edo State and holds the chieftaincy title of the Esama of the Benin Kingdom.

[1] The title Esama traditionally means the "son of the people", with responsibilities including assisting the poor in medial, monetary and private venture forms.

On 13 June 2012 a palace press release informed the general public that the suspension placed on Igbinedion had been lifted.

He has built numerous churches including a Grand Catholic Cathedral, and has set up and owns a number of private hospitals across Nigeria.

His children include a son, Lucky, who was a two-term Local Government chairman and two-term Governor of Edo State, another son, Charles, who was a Local Government chairman and one time Edo State Commissioner of Education, and a third one, Peter, who was the managing director of the Nigerian Aviation Authority.