Kayode Fayemi facts for kids

John Olukayode Fayemi (born February 9, 1965) is a Nigerian politician. He was the governor of Ekiti State twice. His first time was from 2010 to 2014. He became governor again from 2018 to 2022.

Before his second term as governor, he was a Minister for Solid Minerals Development. He worked for President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2018. He also became the first president of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF) in 2022.

Early Life and Education

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

He went to ICC Primary School in Ibadan from 1970 to 1975. Then he attended Christ's School Ado Ekiti from 1975 to 1980. He studied history, politics, and international relations at the University of Lagos and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).

From 1989 to 1992, he earned a special degree called a doctorate in war studies from King's College London. He focused on how military and civilian groups interact.

His Career Journey

After finishing his first degree in 1984, Fayemi joined the National Youth Service Corps. This is a one-year program for young Nigerians. From 1985 to 1986, he taught at the Nigeria-Police Training College in Sokoto.

Later, he worked as a research officer at Development & Management Consultants. This was in Ikeja from 1987 to 1989. When he moved to the United Kingdom for his doctorate, he also worked. He was a research officer at the African Research and Information Bureau in London from 1991 to 1993.

In 1992, he was a tutor at the War Studies Department at King's College, London. From 1993 to 1995, he was a Strategy Development Adviser in London. He also served as Secretary General of the Media Empowerment for Africa from 1995 to 1997.

Fayemi was also a journalist for The Guardian and City Tempo. He was the editor of a political magazine called Nigeria-Now.

Working for Democracy in Africa

In 1997, Fayemi came back to Nigeria. He started the Centre for Democracy and Development. This center helps with research and training. It focuses on making democracy stronger, building peace, and keeping people safe in Africa. He was the Director there from 1997 to 2006.

Kayode Fayemi has taught in many parts of the world. These include Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. He has also advised governments and organizations. He helped them with things like justice after conflicts, working together across countries, and improving security.

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

Leading African Regions

On September 9, 2022, Fayemi became the first elected president of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF). This forum brings together leaders from different regions and states in Africa. It helps them work together and share ideas.

More than 20 African countries took part in this forum. These included Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.

Becoming Governor of Ekiti State

In 2006, Fayemi decided to enter politics. He ran for Governor of Ekiti State in the 2007 election. He was part of the Action Congress party.

After a long legal battle that lasted three and a half years, the court made a decision. On October 15, 2010, the appeal court said Fayemi was the true winner. This meant he became the Governor of Ekiti State.

Second Term as Governor

In April 2014, Fayemi was chosen to run for governor again. This was for the election on June 21, 2014. However, he lost that election to Ayodele Fayose.

Fayemi ran for governor of Ekiti State a second time in 2018. He won the election on July 14, 2018. The Independent National Electoral Commission announced him as the winner. He won by 19,345 votes.

In October 2018, Fayemi was sworn in as governor of Ekiti State for his second term. He was also chosen to be the chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum. This group includes all the governors in Nigeria.

Supporting the End SARS Protest

In October 2020, there were big protests across Nigeria called #EndSARS. These protests were against police brutality. Governor Fayemi joined the protesters to show his support.

He told them it was important to have a plan for ending the protest. He also suggested talking with the government about their demands. He shared his own experiences from when he protested against military rule. He said his group knew when to talk with the government, which helped them succeed.

He spoke at a special online meeting about Africa's future. He agreed that young people had the right to demand good governance and an end to police brutality. He said the government had a duty to listen to them.

Awards and Memberships

• Kayode Fayemi is a Fellow at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan.
• He is also an Adjunct Professor of Security Studies. This is at the African Centre for Strategic Studies in Washington, D.C., United States.
• In 2004, he was a visiting professor at Northwestern University in the United States.
• Dr. Fayemi is part of many important groups. These include the Open Society Justice Institute and the African Security Sector Network.
• He is also a member of the Africa Policy Advisory Panel for the British Government.

His Writings

Fayemi has written books and articles about how governments work. He has also written about how military and civilian groups interact. 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)

Award Received

In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari gave him a national honor. It was called the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

See also

• List of governors of Ekiti State