The Candidate | Senator Ademola Adeleke

Biography

6th elected Governor of Osun State

Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, a grassroots politician, trained criminologist, and development activist, is the 6th elected Governor of Osun — a state created in 1991 and located in South Western Nigeria.

The last born of the popular Adeleke family of Ede, Senator Adeleke hails from a very political family. A public figure who devoted his life to entrepreneurship as a private sector professional, people-oriented legislations as a Senator, and excellence and innovation in public service as the current Governor of Osun State.

Education & Private Sector Career

Criminologist, businessman, and administrator

Senator Adeleke attended Muslim Grammar School, Ede and Seventh Day Adventist High School, Ede before his university education at Jacksonville State University, Alabama and Atlanta Metropolitan State College in the United States of America, where he bagged a degree in Criminology and Political Science.

As a private sector professional, Senator Adeleke was a service contractor with Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, USA before he progressed to Origin International LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA — a flavors and fragrance manufacturing company where he served as Vice President from 1990 to 1994.

As a suave businessman and administrator, he served as Director of Guinness Nigeria Limited between 1992 and 1999, contributing immensely to the expansion of the multinational company across Nigeria. He was later appointed Group Executive Director of Pacific Holdings Limited from 2001 to 2016, delivering excellently in the operations of the conglomerate.

Senator Adeleke at graduation ceremony — Academic excellence & lifelong learning

Political Journey

From the Senate to the Governor's office

2017

Osun West Senatorial Seat

As a public-spirited patriot trained within the family for public service, Senator Adeleke contested and won the Osun West Senatorial seat after the sudden demise of his brother, late Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke. With a landslide win in nine of the ten local governments, he emerged as one of Nigeria's most popular politicians — devoted to impactful representation, advocacy for true federalism, constituency services, and security sector reform.

Senate

Security & Constituency Impact

He spearheaded legislative advocacy for devolution of security functions to states and local governments, moving several motions for neighbourhood watch and state police now manifesting across the federation. He offered and executed a ₦250 million university scholarship for indigent students from Osun West alongside infrastructure upgrades across ten local governments — schools, roads, and health centres.

2018

First Governorship Contest

Drafted into the governorship race on the strength of his Senatorial record, Mr Adeleke won the election at first ballot before results were declared inconclusive — a contest he revisited with determination.

2022

Governor of Osun State

Senator Adeleke re-contested the governorship election in 2022 and defeated the incumbent with a wide margin, assuming office on the Imole mandate of the people.

Governorship & Five-Point Agenda

Transformative leadership for Osun

As sitting Governor, Senator Adeleke is implementing a transformative five-point agenda to deliver good governance in Osun State. His governance principles include adherence to rule of law, localisation, open governance, zero tolerance for corruption, climate sustainability, and tech-driven development.

Workers' welfare · Financial inclusion · Localised infrastructure · Social sector focus · Agro-industrialisation

These leadership principles underpin Senator Adeleke's commitment to a prosperous, inclusive Osun — bridging infrastructure deficit, expanding cash crop plantations, driving export-oriented agro-industrialisation, and building an economy that benefits youth, women, and every class of society.

Achievements (2022 — Present)

Delivery across every sector

Reconstruction of over 300km of road across the state
Reconstruction of several collapsed bridges in more than ten towns
Completion of key projects including Osogbo–Ikirun dualisation and Osogbo ring road
Completion of several abandoned capital projects at Osun State University
Actualisation of University of Ilesa with 30+ accredited courses and campus road reconstruction
Revitalisation of three state-owned radio stations with modern transmitters and studios
Phased payment of inherited salary and pension debt exceeding ₦150 billion
Payment of ₦12.5 billion contributory pension bond in 18 months (vs ₦11.7 billion over 12 years previously)
Enrolment of state pensioners in the State Health Insurance Scheme for free healthcare
Mining sector reform — revalidation of state shares in Segilola Mining and upgrade of licences
Re-professionalisation of the public service: substantive permanent secretaries, restored promotions and training
Over ₦1 billion in Osun Care community projects — rural roads, health centres, boreholes
Water supply projects across 332 wards to prevent waterborne diseases
First Osun State ICT policy and digital economy agenda
Osun State Electricity Market bill and policy for regulated power generation and distribution
Development and implementation of Osun State climate change agenda
₦4 billion for artisans and cooperatives across 332 wards

Multi-Billion Naira Infrastructure Programme

Osun — a state under active construction

Supervising the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Governor Adeleke announced in December 2023 a multi-sectoral, multi-billion naira infrastructure programme — opening a special project account funded by blocking revenue leakages, curtailing frivolous expenditure, and improving Internally Generated Revenue, with strong local content in personnel and materials.

Rehabilitation of 345 health centres in 332 wards — water, toilets, beds, solar power, and full renovation
Phase two portable water provision in all 332 wards with tanks, taps, and solar or generator power
Phase two rehabilitation of 31 schools — roofs, toilets, desks, and portable water
Construction/rehabilitation of 45 roads of at least 1.5km in each of 30 LGAs and Area Office
First phase dualisation at Osogbo, Ede, and Ilesa to ease traffic
Five flyovers: Osogbo (Okefia & Lameco), Ikirun, Ife, and Owode Ede

"An action Governor."
— Dr. Folorunsho Alakija

"A rare state administrator."
— General Buba Marwa

"A dancing but super performing Governor."
— General Olusegun Obasanjo

Awards & Recognitions

Honoured at home and abroad

Honorary Doctorate — Valley View University, Accra

Conferred December 2023 in recognition of education sponsorship and community service during his Senatorial tenure.

Governor of the Year — Champion Newspapers (2023)

For expansive achievements within the first 100 days in office.

Governor of the Year — Infrastructure & Good Governance

Awarded by Vanguard Newspapers in 2024.

Most Humane Governor of the Year — Osun JNC (2023)

Presented by Joint Negotiating Council unions for fulfillment of promises on workers' welfare, pension arrears, promotion cash backing, regular salaries, and wage awards.

Valley View University honorary doctorate — December 2023

Gallery

Service in pictures

Official Portrait

Construction site — Osun Under Construction

Looking Ahead

Re-election 2026

As a pro-people administrator and politician, Governor Adeleke is pursuing a focused action plan to bridge Osun's infrastructure deficit, build the state's economic foundation, expand cash crop plantations and processing, drive export-oriented agro-industrialisation, achieve a private sector–driven state airport, and build an inclusive, prosperous economy for the collective benefit of youth, women, and all classes of Osun society.