As the governorship race for Oyo State government house gathers momentum, many are just realising what an epic battle it promises to be, considering the political bigwigs that may be involved. But one thing is already decided: a great opportunity is being presented to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to once again hoist its flag at the Government House, in 2027, so as to see to the continuation of Governor Seyi Makinde’s giant strides in the State.
The state has been governed by the Alliance for Democracy; All Progressives Congress; and the People’s Democratic Party, since the current political dispensation.
Observers say the People’s Democratic Party, PDP has an upper hand in the 2027 elections, considering the sterling performance of Makinde, coupled with the disarray in which the major opposition, APC is in at the State level.
A cursory look in the field shows a titanic battle of political bigwigs, moneybags, influential professionals and businessmen, people who had made their individual marks in their chosen fields, all aiming for Agodi, the seat of power in Oyo State.
The qualification to contest gubernatorial elections in Nigeria is outlined under the Constitution. To qualify to contest elections, a person must be a citizen of Nigeria by birth, have attained the age of thirty-five years; be a member of a political party and be sponsored by that political party; and be educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.
The field includes a revered Political stalwart, Educationist and Lawyer, touted as the most trusted politician in Oyo State, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran is a highly sought-after politician, whose rich knowledge about the political terrain of the State is intriguing.
A philanthropist, who has shown he could replicate his political sagacity and giant strides at the State level, Adeniran studied Adult Education and Political Science at the University of Ibadan. He has a PhD in Communication Arts & Community Development from the University of Ibadan.
Nobody has nursed the ambition to become governor of Oyo State better than Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, having contested and won the gubernatorial ticket of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in 2018, ahead of 2019 gubernatorial elections. In his preparation to become the first man in the Pacesetter state, he never worked against equity, fairness and justice.
Dr. Nureni Adeniran is known across the political sphere for his mantra, Imole De, loosely translated as Light Has Come.
Let’s break it down a bit: Imole de! The words ring with joy and promise — the declaration of a new dawn. In Yoruba, it means “Light has come,” a phrase that signals the arrival of brightness; the coming of understanding, guidance, and hope.
In Islam, the name Nureni (from Nūr, Arabic for “light”) carries a double light: Oni’mole meji. Light in this sense is divine — the illumination of the heart by faith, the clarity of truth, and the mercy that comes from Allah. A person named Nureni is one who carries or reflects this divine light in their life, guiding others through kindness, wisdom, and spiritual radiance.
Thus, Imole de and Nureni share a sacred harmony: both celebrate the victory of light over darkness. Whether spoken in Yoruba or Arabic, both speak of awakening, enlightenment, and the grace that shines upon the world when goodness is born or revealed.
When one says Imole de, it is as if they are also saying, Nureni ti de- the light of God has come among us.
As the current Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Adeniran has shone his light on the basic education sub-sector. He prioritises basic education. He apparently will focus on skill-based education and restore technical education and trade centres into the curriculum. Adeniran will impact crime prevention, youth development, housing, healthcare, anti-corruption, job creation, climate change and prioritising children with special needs.
Dr. Adeniran is an advocate of good governance through a motivated workforce, fiscal responsibility, accountability, and inclusive governance transparency. He promised to focus on the environment by handling erosion and flooding, championing reforestation and building resilient cities.
He advocates for every sector of the state to have a sense of belonging. He is prepared for this seat, having worked as a key Stakeholder in the Omituntun era. Dr. Adeniran is coming to leverage on the achievements of the Seyi Makinde’s Omituntun 2.0 Roadmap to sustainable development.
Dr. Adeniran’s quest for further education led him back to school where he studied Law. He bagged LLB from the University of Ibadan with 2nd Class (Honours) Upper Division and thereafter proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, where he passed the Bar Final Examination and subsequently was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2008. A proud feat, you would say!
At the popular Asa compound, in Ibadan Southwest local government area, he is an “afuni mo wobe”, from where he stretches his passion for community development to his kinsmen. Adeniran has been in the business of grassroots development, with personal projects, including the construction of a Police post at Owode, Apata.
Adeniran seems to be the only governorship aspirant making positive waves in the state as the campaign for Agodi government house moves to a feverish pitch. He is loved by so many, a popular politician among the grassroot, owing to his political sagacity. Dr. Adeniran is the only politician that has had close contact with virtually all the governors that has ruled this State, including late Chief Bola Ige; late Alh. Lam Adesina; late Chief Alao-Akala; Oba Rashidi Ladoja and presently Engr. Seyi Makinde. This has added to his rich knowledge and understanding of Oyo State, which has no match among his co-contestants.
However, his major advantage is that he is not a newcomer politician. He comes with no adverse baggage, unlike some other contestants who have been knee-deep in controversies which, usually, is hard to escape in the politics of Nigeria.
Dr. Nureni Adeniran was formerly the Executive Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, a position he held from 1999-2002 and was known for his giant strides as the Chairman. Unlike his contemporaries, Adeniran’s passion for change and development of the Nigeria Political landscape led him to be an active participant in the Political trajectory in Oyo State.
Apart from being a former Executive Chairman at Ibadan South West Local government area, Dr. Adeniran was a Member, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Management Board. A two-time Commissioner, who supervised the Ministry of Industry, Applied Science and Technology between June 2009 and November 2010. He also supervised Ministry of Education, Science and Technology between 2010 and 2011 under the former government of Late Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala.
He was a member of some federal agencies and parastatals, which include: Member, Governing Council of the National Teachers Institute (2010-2011); Member, Governing Council of Teachers Registration Council (2010- 2011); Member, National Implementation Committee on Almajiri Education in Nigeria (2010- 2011).
Dr. Adeniran was also a member, of 10 years (2021-2030) Universal Basic Education Road Map Committee in Nigeria, under the auspices of the Universal Basic Education Commission, representing the Southwest.
Among other political positions he held include the Presidential Campaign Coordinator for PDP ahead of 2019 Presidential Election in Oyo State and member of PDP Presidential Campaign Council as well as Secretary, Oyo State PDP Governorship Campaign Council for ‘Seyi Makinde 2019,
He was a Deputy Director-General of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s Campaign Council in 2023. Dr. Adeniran was also the State Collation Agent for the PDP in the Governorship Election of 2019 and 2023, which the Party (PDP) won resoundingly.
Dr. Nureni Adeniran’s passion lies in human capital development. He is a Certified Member of many professional bodies and associations, such as Nigerian National Council of Adult Education, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
Likewise, he has attended many international conferences, such as: ‘The Urban Environment Forum Global Meeting’ held at Cape Town South Africa (September, 26-28, 2000), ‘United Nations International Conference on Learning from Best Practices’ held at Chengdu, China (Oct. 16-18, 2000); ‘International Summit on Good Governance’, held at Tema, Accra, Ghana (May 19, 2007); Training on Project Closure and Impact Sustainability Management held in Kigali, Rwanda (24th -28th December, 2022); Executive Leadership and Management Programme under the auspices of London Oxford Leadership Retreat and Tour held in Linacre College, University of Oxford (5th-8th October, 2023); Education World Forum (EWF) held in London, UK in May 2024 and 2025 among others.
In June 2019, He was appointed Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board by the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. “Seyi Makinde. Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran’s unmatched leadership qualities, earned him a unanimous vote by his co-SUBEB Chairmen to lead the South-West caucus, between 2019 and 2023.
In testimony of his outstanding performance as OYOSUBEB Chairman between 2019 and 2023, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran was reappointed by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde as the SUBEB Chairman, Oyo State for a second term. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Secretary, National Forum of SUBEB Chairmen.
He is a recipient of many awards, including the Most Distinguished Ibadan Indigene conferred on him by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
Nureni de!
Imole de!!
_Olamide Adeniji is the Media officer, office of the Executive Chairman, OYOSUBEB._
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