Ademola Adeleke facts for kids

Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke (; born 13 May 1960) is a Nigerian politician and businessman. He is currently the governor of Osun State in Nigeria, a position he has held since 2022. Before becoming governor, he served as a senator representing the Osun-west area from 2017 to 2019.

He comes from the Adeleke family in Ede, Osun State. In the 2022 Osun State gubernatorial election, he ran for governor with the Peoples Democratic Party. He won the election, defeating the previous governor, Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola.

Learning Journey

Ademola Adeleke started his primary school at Methodist Primary School in Lagos State. He then moved to Old Oyo State and attended Nawarudeen Primary School in Ikire. For his secondary education, he went to The Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School in Ede. Later, he finished his secondary schooling at Ede Muslim Grammar School in Ede.

After finishing school in Nigeria, he moved to the United States to continue his studies. He joined his two older brothers there. He began his higher education at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, where he studied criminal justice and political science. Later, he went back to school at Atlanta Metropolitan State College in the United States. In 2021, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from there.

Career Path

Business Ventures

Ademola Adeleke has a strong background in business. From 1992 to 1999, he was an executive director at Guinness Nigeria Plc. He also worked as a group executive director at Pacific Holdings Limited, a company owned by his brother, from 2001 to 2016.

Before these roles, he worked with Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, US as a service contractor from 1985 to 1989. He then became the vice president of Origin International LLC, a company that makes flavors and fragrances, from 1990 to 1994.

Entering Politics

Ademola Adeleke is known for helping his community and for his charity work. He started his political journey in 2001, working alongside his late brother, Isiaka Adeleke, who was also a senator.

After his brother passed away in April 2017, Ademola Adeleke decided to run for the Osun West senatorial seat in a special election held in 2017. He won this election as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. He had previously been a member of the All Progressives Congress but switched to the Peoples Democratic Party in April 2017.

In July 2018, he became the chosen candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party to run for governor in Osun State.

Becoming Governor

Ademola Adeleke ran for the Osun State governorship election on 22 September 2018. He competed against other strong candidates, including Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola. The election results were first declared "inconclusive" by the election commission, meaning no clear winner was decided. A second election, called a rerun, was held on 27 September 2018. After the rerun, Gboyega Oyetola was declared the winner.

However, a court ruling on 22 March 2019, declared Ademola Adeleke the winner of that election. But later, on 5 July 2019, the Supreme Court of Nigeria confirmed Gboyega Oyetola as the rightful winner of the 2018 Osun State governorship election.

Ademola Adeleke ran for governor again in the 2022 Osun State gubernatorial election on 16 July 2022. This time, he was successful. He defeated the sitting governor, Gboyega Oyetola, by getting 402,979 votes compared to Oyetola's 375,077 votes. He won in 17 different local government areas across the state, including Olorunda, Ede South, Orolu, Osogbo, and Ifelodun.

Family Life

Ademola Adeleke is married to Titilola Adeleke. They have eight children, including the popular musician B-Red, Adenike Adeleke, Folashade Adeleke, Bukola Adeleke, and Omolola Adeleke. He is also the uncle of the famous musician, Davido.