By Tunde Adeleke, TribuneOnlineNG, December 28, 2025
Abiodun Idowu Borisade, communication strategist and consultant, is a former Technical Assistant to the Ekiti State Government on Job Creation and Employment Matters. In this interview, he shared his life story with Tunde Adeleke.
HOW was it growing up?
I would start by saying that whatever I have become today has been through God’s grace; that’s number one. But most importantly, it is the foundation laid by my late father, Justice Michael Ayorinde Borisade, President of the National Industrial Court. The foundation he laid not just for me and his biological children, but for everybody who had the opportunity to encounter him. The foundation that man laid for me has determined how far I would go in life.
Then my late mother, throughout her life, devoted her strength to all her children and to the Borisade family at large. She was given the title of Atunwase of Iloro-Ekiti years back.
But you don’t look like a local breed?
I can also tell you that about eight years back, I had a garri processing factory in my hometown, Iloro-Ekiti. During that time, we endeavoured to empower local farmers. We gave them the guarantee that no matter the quantity of cassava they uprooted and brought to the factory, once it was weighed and a price determined, they got their money on the spot. We took the burden of processing and selling the garri. It was all in an attempt to alleviate poverty within our local environment. I know a lot of undergraduates then, particularly young girls, who would come down and fry garri. It gave me the opportunity to mingle and interact with them.
As a young man as well, I have always had an interest in agriculture. My first degree was in Chemistry. I graduated from Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University) in 1999, and then proceeded to the United Kingdom, where I did my first Master’s degree in Environmental Management and another Master’s degree in lecturing tertiary institution students. I lectured for about eight years abroad in Chemistry in various A-Level colleges in the United Kingdom, wanting to enlighten myself and understand people’s culture.
I came back to Nigeria and served as Technical Assistant (Job Creation) to Governor Kayode Fayemi. I again got into journalism. In life, you can’t struggle with God’s plan. I used the Chemistry degree that I earned to lecture and to sustain myself and my children but at the end of the day, I think if anyone wants to describe me, they would describe me more as a public strategic communicator. I had a passion for agriculture and I think that passion comes from where I hail from as an Ekiti person.
Back to your educational background, can I have a bit of your early education?
My late dad was among the first set of permanent secretaries appointed when the old Ondo State was created from the Western State. So my primary education started in Ondo State. After my primary school, my dad moved us to Lagos. He had studied Law in the 1960s in the UK and later had to attend Law School in Lagos as an elderly student in the 1980s. So, we all relocated and I completed my primary education at Adrao International School, Victoria Island, Lagos. From there, I went to Federal Government College, Kaduna, for my secondary school education. After I finished JSS III, the religious crisis in the North informed my parents’ decision to relocate me back to Lagos. I transferred to Federal Government College, Ijanikin, to conclude my secondary education.
After secondary school, I had the option of going to different universities. Somehow, being the last of four children in my family, my coming to Ekiti State for my first degree dictated many events in my life. When I later served in Fayemi’s government, I was not a stranger in Ekiti State. I returned to the open arms of friends we had grown up together. After my degree in 1999, from 2000 to about 2011, I was outside the country. After that period of about 12 years, I was received with open arms by friends in society, even outside government. There was no issue of “Ekiti abroad” or being a stranger. My coming to Ekiti State for my first degree was God-ordained and has positively impacted my career projection. I am comfortable living in Ekiti. I am comfortable drinking the water of Ekiti. I am comfortable eating pounded yam and fresh vegetables of Ekiti.
Who would you describe as the greatest influence on you?
That’s a big question. God, first and foremost. Second, it would be hard to pinpoint one person because my nature has dictated that I continuously make myself available to learning new things. Since I have not stopped learning, it would be difficult to say this is the most influential person in my life. But if I may mention a few people who have influenced me positively, even though at the time they were imparting that knowledge I may have indirectly resisted, I can mention Admiral Deinde Joseph, former military administrator of Ogun State. He influenced me positively because he made life easy for me. There was a time I had to be away from my children and when you can sleep with both eyes closed, knowing your children are okay, half of your challenges are over. He is someone I love deeply. We speak virtually every morning as early as 5:00 am. He is someone I can ask questions without fear because he will always tell me the truth, even if it hurts. Outside my father and mother, Admiral Deinde Joseph is a mentor to me.
The current governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, will also feature. Through my association with him, I have learnt the importance of process, learning, participation and evaluation. If you can evaluate properly, you can make accurate decisions, even if people are initially uncomfortable with them. It’s like planting a seed; it must germinate, survive, and be nurtured before becoming fruitful. Through him, I have learnt what it takes to become a good leader.
Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former governor of Ekiti State, who doubles as my cousin, has taught me humility. Despite never lacking from his early days, his humility has remained intact. He never looks down on people.
In my political association, I must mention Senator Abu Ibrahim. He is like a father to me and has never discriminated between me and his first son, who is my friend. I met the son at Federal Government College, Kaduna. The entire 1989 set sees him as our father. His advice has always been timely and effective.
Growing up in the North, I had many guardians. At Federal Government College, Kaduna, General Ibrahim Badamasi Haruna was my guardian. The late Mamman Vatsa had his farm just across the fence from us at Federal Government College, Malali. We would go to his compound, and he was never hostile to us. At times, he would sit us down and tell us the realities of life as young boys.
How did you find love?
I met my wife in the United Kingdom and we got married there. She was doing her postgraduate studies in Scotland while I was in Manchester doing my second Master’s degree and lecturing evening classes. On Fridays, after lectures around 7:00 or 8:00 pm, I would drive north to see her. By God’s grace, we have two children and we are happy. The first two people I chat with every day are my children.
Do you have any event you regard as unforgettable?
When I had my first child. That was when I started respecting doctors deeply. In many developed countries, fathers are invited into the delivery room. My child was delivered through caesarean section. When the doctor used the scalpel, I initially wondered how such a small blade could do the operation. When they placed my child in my hands, I said God is wonderful. That moment changed me forever.
Do you have any favourite dish?
I’m an Ekiti man. It has to be pounded yam and fresh vegetable (not refrigerated) garnished with locust beans.
What would you like to be remembered for?
A good name is better than riches. My late father was neither poor nor among the richest, but his name opened doors for me. From him, I learnt the importance of being virtuous or an omoluabi as we call it. I want to be remembered as someone who held no grudges. I forgive because forgiveness, judgement and blessings come from God.
How do you spend your leisure time?
I used to swim a lot. I once played polo but couldn’t sustain it financially. These days, I relax by spending time with close friends. At a low point in my life, they lifted my morale. I learnt never to burn bridges. I make new friends, but never discard the old ones.