Kayode Fayemi facts for kids

John Olukayode Fayemi CON (; born 9 February 1965) is a Nigerian politician. He served as the Governor of Ekiti State from 2018 to 2022. Before that, he was governor from 2010 to 2014. He also worked as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development for President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2018. He is the first president of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF).

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Nigeria

John Olukayode Folorunso Fayemi was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, on 9 February 1965. His parents were from Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government, Ekiti State.

School Days

He went to ICC Primary School in Ibadan from 1970 to 1975. After that, he attended Christ's School Ado Ekiti from 1975 to 1980.

University Studies

Fayemi studied history, politics, and international relations. He earned degrees from the University of Lagos and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). Later, from 1989 to 1992, he earned a special advanced degree called a doctorate from King's College London. He focused on "war studies," which means he learned about how conflicts happen and how armies and governments work together.

His Career Journey

Early Work and Research

After his first university degree in 1984, Fayemi completed his mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps. During this time, from 1985 to 1986, he was a lecturer at the Nigeria-Police Training College in Sokoto. He then worked as a research officer at Development & Management Consultants in Ikeja from 1987 to 1989.

When he moved to the United Kingdom for his doctorate, he continued to work. From 1991 to 1993, he was a research officer at the African Research and Information Bureau in London. He also taught at the War Studies Department at King's College, London in 1992.

Working for Change

From 1993 to 1995, he was a Strategy Development Adviser in London. He also served as the Secretary General of the Media Empowerment for Africa (The Radio Foundation) from 1995 to 1997. He worked as a journalist for The Guardian and City Tempo newspapers. He was also the editor of a political magazine called Nigeria-Now.

In 1997, Fayemi returned to Nigeria. He started an organization called the Centre for Democracy and Development. This center helps to study and promote democracy, peace, and human safety in Africa. He was the Director of this center from 1997 to 2006.

Advising Governments and Organizations

Kayode Fayemi has taught in many parts of the world, including Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. He has also advised different governments and international groups. He helped them with important issues like human rights, how countries work together, and how to improve security.

He was a key adviser to Nigeria's Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission. This group looked into past wrongdoings. He also advised on security reforms and development goals for Africa. He was an expert for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on small weapons. He also advised the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on how governments should be run.

Leading African Regions

On 9 September 2022, Fayemi became the first elected president of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF). This forum brings together leaders from different regions, counties, and states across Africa. It helps them work together on important issues. Leaders from over 20 African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, attended this forum.

Political Journey

First Election for Governor

In 2006, Fayemi decided to enter politics. He ran for Governor of Ekiti State in the 2007 election. After a long legal battle that lasted three and a half years, the court declared him the rightful winner. On 15 October 2010, he became the Governor of Ekiti State. This ended the term of the previous governor, Olusegun Oni.

Second Term as Governor

In April 2014, Fayemi was chosen to run for governor again for the All Progressives Congress party. However, he lost the election on 21 June 2014 to the former governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Fayemi decided to run for governor of Ekiti State a second time in the 14 July 2018 election. He had resigned from his role as Minister of Solid Minerals Development to do this. On 15 July 2018, he was officially declared the winner of the 2018 Ekiti State gubernatorial election. He won by 19,345 votes against Kolapo Olusola Eleka.

In October 2018, Fayemi was sworn in as Ekiti State governor for his second term. He was also elected as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors' forum. This means he led the group of all state governors in Nigeria until 2021.

Supporting the End SARS Protest

In October 2020, during the nationwide #EndSARS protests, Governor Fayemi joined the young people protesting. The protests were about demanding an end to police brutality and asking for better governance. He showed his support for their demands. He also advised them to have a plan for how to end the protest and to talk with the government. He shared his own experiences as a young protester who helped bring democracy to Nigeria. He explained that his group knew when to pause and negotiate with the government, which helped them succeed. He said that young people have a right to demand good governance and an end to police brutality, and the government should listen to them.

Awards and Writings

Honors and Memberships

• Kayode Fayemi is a Fellow at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan.
• He is also a special professor of Security Studies at the African Centre for Strategic Studies in Washington, D.C., United States.
• He was a visiting professor at Northwestern University in 2004.
• Dr. Fayemi serves on many important boards, including the Open Society Justice Institute and the African Security Sector Network. He also advises the British Government on African policy.

Books and Publications

Fayemi has written many articles and books. His writings are about how governments work, how democracy grows, and how armies and security groups relate to the public in Africa. Some of his books include:

• Deepening the Culture of Constitutionalism: The Role of Regional Institutions in Constitutional Development in Africa (2003)
• Security Sector Governance in Africa: A Handbook (edited with Nicole Ball, 2004)
• Out of the Shadows: Exile and the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria (2005)

National Honor

In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari gave him a special Nigerian national honor. He was given the title of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

See also

• List of governors of Ekiti State