In every context, Obafemi Awolowo University is great. As we all know, the most prestigious and African most beautiful campus does not exclude its students from its prestigiousness. You were probably wondering what we are talking about; we are talking about the political world. Obafemi Awolowo University has fantastic products that hold prestigious global positions in the country. IOI picks the Top 10 most influential OAU alumni in politics.
10. Seun Fakorede
Seun Fakorede is the youngest commissioner in Nigeria and Oyo State history. Seun Fakorede was appointed to the Commission for Youth and Sports in Oyo State at the age of 27 and was re-appointed for a second term. Seun Fakorede pursued a degree in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University. A Non-governmental Organization (for Africa) founder and director who promotes African patriotism. In addition, in 2020, he was awarded The Future Awards Africa Prize of Governance.
9. Oluremi Tinubu
From 1999 to 2007, Oluremi Tinubu was the First Lady of Lagos State. She is currently a Senator representing the Lagos Central Senatorial District. The COWLSO’s Grand Matron (Committee of wives of Lagos State Officials). In addition to other prestigious awards, she was nominated for the Eko Excellence Award in 2019.
She first earned a national certificate of education in botany and zoology from Adeyemi College of Education (a subsidiary of Obafemi Awolowo University). She later pursued a bachelor’s degree at the University of Ife, where she received an Education degree in Biology.
8. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu
Adebayo Shittu was the former Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Minister of Communications. His ministerial tenure ended in 2019, but we cannot help but recognize his outstanding political achievements. He entered politics at 26, becoming the youngest honorable member of Oyo State’s House of Assembly. He bagged his first degree in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University.
Some of his achievements :
Honorable Member of the Oyo State House of Assembly ( 1979 to 1983) Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Home Affairs Attorney General and Oyo State Commissioner for Justice Member of the National Political Reforms Conference in 2005
7. Adebayo Ismail Adewusi
Ismail Adebayo is a Nigerian lawyer, public administrator, and politician. Adebayo Ismail has served as Lagos State Commissioner twice. First as Finance Commissioner (2004-2006), then as Budget and Planning Commissioner. He was once an aspirant for the position of governor of Oyo State. He was appointed Postmaster General in 2019. In addition, he is the CEO and Post Master General of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).
Adebayo Ismail earned a first degree in Economics from the University of Ife, as well as a Master’s degree from the same institution. Before continuing his education in Japan, he worked as an assistant lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University. He has held several important positions in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State.
6. Adebayo Adelabu
Adebayo Adelabu was the Former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in charge of operations. Adebayo Adelabu earned first-class honors in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University. He is also a member of several professional accounting organizations, including The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and The Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, among many others. He has led viable projects in the business/financial world of Nigeria. In his political career, he ran for Oyo State’s gubernatorial candidate in 2019 and also the candidate for 2023 under APC.
5. Olujimi Kolawole Agbaje
Jimi Agabje is a Nigerian politician and pharmacist. He was the PDP’s Lagos State Governorship candidate in 2015. He was also the PDP’s Lagos State gubernatorial election candidate in 2019.
His awards:
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Merit Award Winner (Lagos State chapter)
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Fellow
West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists Fellow
An alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (where he also met his wife)
4. Layiwola Mohammed
He is popularly known as Lai Mohammed. He is a Nigerian politician, lawyer, and business magnate in various positions of power. He is currently the Information and Culture Minister. He has been in office since 2015. He was also the All Progressive Congress’s(APC) former National Publicity Secretary. He has also served as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff. In April 2003, he ran for governor under the Alliance for Democracy Party.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Obafemi Awolowo University.
3. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
He is a Nigerian lawyer, human rights activist, and politician is known as MOB. He has been serving as a member of the 7th to 9th National Assembly, representing the Ekiti Central Senatorial District since 2011. His previous offices – Honorable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State (2007 to 2011) Honorable Commissioner for Youths, Sports, and Social Development, Lagos State (2003 to 2007) Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Lagos State (2000 2003).
In Bola Tinubu’s administration, he was appointed commissioner for the Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Social Development. He has a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Obafemi Awolowo University.
2. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN)
Ondo State’s current governor is Rotimi Akeredolu. He is a Nigerian politician and lawyer. He has served as the chairman of the Southwest Governor’s Forum since February 2017. In 2008, he was elected President of the Nigeria Bar Association. He studied law at Obafemi Awolowo University and was known as The Nigerian Bar. In his political career, he has occupied several viable positions.
1. John Olukayode Fayemi
A Nigerian political figure who is currently serving as governor of Ekiti State (for the second time) and is also the chairman of Nigeria’s governor’s forum (NGF) since 2018. Last month, he became the first President of FORAF-Forum of African Regions.
Kayode Fayemi served as Nigeria’s Minister for Solid Minerals Development during President Buhari’s first term. His Excellency holds a bachelor’s degree in politics and international relations from the University of Ife. He has done exceptionally well in his field in Nigeria and worldwide. In addition, Fayemi founded the Centre for Democratic Development.
Like I said earlier, Great Ife products are doing quite well all around the country, I hope you can now testify to it. This concludes this list of the top ten influential OAU Alumni in the political world. You’ve probably heard them, but you should know at least six. If you can’t keep up with six of them, maybe you need to work harder on Politics.
