Governor of Ekiti State Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji was formerly the secretary to the Ekiti state government.
Popularly known as BAO, his life history and experience is quite unique being an alumnus of the Ekiti state university and born in the year 1967, becoming the first true made in Ekiti governor.
Biodun Oyebanji history
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) biography tells us more about the Ekiti 2022 Governorship election winner under the ruling APC, as we look into his age, personal life, parents and political career.
Oyebanji, a former university lecturer, had previously served as Chief of Staff during the administration of Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and was Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning during Fayemi’s first term, then Secretary to the State Government.
- Full Name: Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji
- Date of Birth: December 21, 1967
- Current Age: 54 years old
- Wife: Prof (Mrs) Oyebanji
- Religion: Christian
- Gender: Male
- Home Town: Ikogosi-Ekiti
- Past Post Held: Secretary to the Government of Ekiti State
- Present Post: Governor Ekiti State
- Political Party: All Progressive Congress (APC)
Biodun Oyebanji biography: Education history
He began his academic journey at Baptist Primary School, Ikogosi-Ekiti. He attended Awo Community High School before transferring to C.A.C. Grammar School, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State in 1979, and later attended the Federal School of Arts and Science, Ondo State, and the District Commercial Secondary School, Aramoko-Ekiti from 1983 to 1985. He acquired a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in Political Science from the Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti) in 1989 and continued his quest for honours at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State in 1992 where he bagged his Masters’ Degree (M.Sc) in Political Science (International Relations & Strategic Studies).
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji early life and work history
He was a former university lecturer, a banker, a private businessman astute administrator, and a consummate politician. He is married to a senior university teacher, and was a Special Assistant on Legislative Matters to the first governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, before he later became his Chief of Staff.
According to a recent interview by Hon. Dapo Karonwi, it was in Oyebanji that Adebayo had confided his intention of handing over to Dr. Kayode Fayemi should he win a second term in 2003. It would also be recalled that he was the youngest member and secretary of the Movement for the Creation of Ekiti, which had lobbied the late General Abacha for the creation of the State in 1996.
In the first term of the current governor, he served as Director-General, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery; Commissioner of Integration and Inter-governmental Relations; and later on, Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning. He is the most experienced politician currently serving in government. He has managed the executive-legislature relations, served as Chief of Staff, served as the policy coordinator of government in the OTSD, managed the economy of the state, served as an interface between the State and the Federal Government, international partners, and on regional matters.
BAO political career and profile
Biodun Oyebanji was Special Assistant (Parliament Affairs) to the Governor of Ekiti State (8th June 1999-2000);
Special Adviser (Parliament Affairs) to the Governor of Ekiti State (1st Aug. 2000-Sept. 2001);
Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ekiti State (September 2001-May 29, 2003);
Chairman, Governing Board, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (June 2009-December 2010).
He was Commissioner, Ministry of Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Ekiti State (23rd December 2010-December 2011);
Head, Office of Transformation Strategy and Delivery (OTSD), Ekiti State ( December 2011-9th January 2013);
Commissioner, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Service Delivery, Ekiti State (10th January 2013-16th October 2014);
Secretary, Ekiti State Government (16th October 2018 till December 7, 2021)
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) Ekiti 2022 Governorship race
Biodun Oyebanji resigned as the state SSG on the 7th of December 2021, as he went fully into the Governorship race.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode said the resignation which was conveyed in a letter to the Governor, dated December 3, 2021.
Oyebanji had cited his decision to contest the forthcoming governorship election in the State for his resignation.
The statement says Governor Fayemi while accepting the resignation, thanked the former SSG for his remarkable contribution to the administration since inception in 2018 and wished him well in his future endeavours.
A few days later, accompanied by some political appointees, he would pick up the election nomination in Abuja.
During one of his campaign tours, Biodun Oyebanji, said he had received the best of pupillage in governance and politics from Governor Fayemi and the first executive Governor of the state, Niyi Adebayo, to be able to navigate the bumpy terrain and deliver.
According to him, “If I get the governorship ticket and win, I will be the first homeboy to be Ekiti governor. I schooled here in Ekiti from primary, secondary, and up to the university level.
“I got a solid tutelage from Niyi Adebayo for four years and seven years under Governor Fayemi. Out of the 25 years of the creation of this State, I have received 11 years of experience as a public servant. If other aspirants come to you, ask them where they got their pupilage from to be able to do well as a governor.
“During the creation of Ekiti State in 1996, I was barely 27 years and I served as the Secretary of the Committee for the creation of our dear state. Through this opportunity, I knew what the vision was then.
“I can never be an accidental governor. I knew the vision of Governor Fayemi and if you don’t want everything he has done for Ekiti to get spoilt as it was after 2014, then vote for me in this primary.”
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji wife and family
The APC governorship aspirant in the upcoming polls is married to Prof. (Mrs) Oyebanji, who is an associate professor at the prestigious University of Ibadan and also a princess in Ado Ekiti.
