Martins-Kuye was born on 16 August 1942 in Ago Iwoye, Ijebu constituency of Ogun State, he has a brother (Muraino Ademola Kuye).

[3][2] Martins-Kuye became a member of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) towards the end of the Sani Abacha regime.

[4] During his tenure, the Savannah Bank was closed down in February 2002, a controversial move that he claimed was due to non-compliance with regulations rather than financial distress.

[5] In July 2002, as Minister of Finance, he announced that Nigeria's GDP had grown by 4% annually by the World Bank's estimate, the highest rate for ten years.

This was controversial, since he had apparently not been on the list of ministerial nominees from Ogun State submitted by Governor Gbenga Daniel.