This resource provides a complete list of all governors who have served Oyo State, Nigeria, since its creation in 1976. It documents the leaders who guided the state through both military and civilian administrations.
Maybe you’re interested in the state’s history or want to learn about the current political landscape, this list offers valuable insights. Plus you will learn about the first civilian and military governors of Oyo State.
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Complete List Of Past And Current Governors Of Oyo State
Name | Title | Took office | Left office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Col. David Jemibewon | Governor | March 1976 | July 1978 | Military |
Col. Paul Tarfa | Governor | July 1978 | October 1979 | Military |
Chief Bola Ige | Executive Governor | 1 October 1979 | 1 October 1983 | Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) |
Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo | Executive Governor | 1 October 1983 | 31 December 1983 | National Party of Nigeria (NPN) |
Lt. Col. Oladayo Popoola | Governor | 4 January 1984 | September 1985 | Military |
Col. Adetunji Idowu Olurin | Governor | September 1985 | July 1988 | Military |
Col. Sasaenia Oresanya | Governor | 27 July 1988 | August 1990 | Military |
Col. Abdulkareem Adisa | Governor | 3 September 1990 | January 1992 | Military |
Chief Kolapo Olawuyi Ishola | Executive Governor | 2 January 1992 | 17 November 1993 | Social Democratic Party (SDP) |
Navy Capt. Adetoye Oyetola Sode | Administrator | 9 December 1993 | 14 September 1994 | Military |
Col. Chinyere Ike Nwosu | Administrator | 14 September 1994 | 22 August 1996 | Military |
Col. Ahmed Usman | Administrator | 22 August 1996 | August 1998 | Military |
Comm. Pol. Amen Edore Oyakhire | Administrator | 16 August 1998 | 28 May 1999 | Military |
Dr. Lam Adesina | Governor | 29 May 1999 | 28 May 2003 | Alliance for Democracy (AD) |
Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja | Governor | 29 May 2003 | 28 May 2007 | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
Christopher Alao-Akala | Governor (de facto) | 12 January 2006 | 7 December 2006 | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
Christopher Alao-Akala | Governor | 29 May 2007 | 29 May 2011 | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
Abiola Ajimobi | Governor | 29 May 2011 | 29 May 2019 | Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) |
Seyi Makinde | Governor | 29 May 2019 | Incumbent | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
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Who Was The First Military Governor Of Oyo State?
The first military governor of Oyo State was Major General David Jemibewon. He was In the office from March 1976 to July 1978 during General Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime.
Jemibewon had a big role in the army, being the chief of the First Infantry Division. In August 1975, he became the governor of the Western State, taking over from Akintunde Aduwo.
When the Western State was split into Ogun, Ondo, and Oyo States in March 1976, Jemibewon stayed as the governor of Oyo State.
After he finished working in the army, Jemibewon went to study law at the University of Lagos. Then he started his own law business.
He also did some business trading palm oil, and he also helped President Olusegun Obasanjo when he had some trouble with the law in 1995.
In June 1999, Jemibewon got a new job as the Minister of Police Affairs in President Obasanjo’s team. He made plans to improve the police force over five years.
This included hiring more police, making a new group called the Nigeria Police Service Commission, and getting better equipment for the police to keep people safe.
Even though he didn’t win in the April 2003 Senatorial elections for Kogi West, Jemibewon remained with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and worked as part of the PDP Board of Trustees.
He was also part of a company called EBS Nigeria, which got a big contract for medicine from the Federal Ministry of Health.
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Who Was The First Civilian Governor Of Oyo State?
The first person to be the governor of Oyo State after the military rule ended was Chief Bola Ige. He became the governor in October 1979, and he served until October 1983.
Bola Ige was born on September 13, 1930, in Esa Oke, Osun State, Nigeria. He was a well-known lawyer and politician in Nigeria.
Before he became governor, Bola Ige worked in the government as the Federal Commissioner for Agriculture from January 1967 to December 1970.
He was also part of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) during the First Republic. When the Second Republic began, General Olusegun Obasanjo chose Bola Ige to be the governor of Oyo State.
He worked with Adebisi Akande, his deputy, during his time as governor. However, he lost when he ran for re-election in 1983.
Even after his time as governor, Bola Ige remained active in politics and law, serving as a minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Fourth Republic.
He was Minister of Mines and Power from 1999 to 2000 and then Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Nigeria from 2000 to 2001.
Sadly, Bola Ige was killed on December 23, 2001, in his home in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. His death was a big loss for Nigerian politics.
Bola Ige’s time as the first civilian governor of Oyo State and his work in Nigerian politics and law are still remembered and respected today.
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Who Is The New Elected Governor Of Oyo State?
The newly elected governor of Oyo State is Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, commonly known as Seyi Makinde. He assumed office as governor on May 29, 2019.
Makinde is a Nigerian engineer, businessman, and politician, having worked in the oil and gas industry and established his own company called Makon Engineering and Technical Services Limited (METS).
Makinde’s political career started when he contested for the Oyo South Senatorial seat in 2007 under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Although he didn’t win, he remained determined and continued his political aspirations.
Over the years, he contested for different political positions, including the Oyo State governorship ticket in 2015 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In 2019, Makinde ran for the governorship of Oyo State under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He won the election with 515,621 votes, defeating his closest rival from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Makinde’s victory marked a significant milestone in Oyo State’s political landscape, as he became the 28th executive governor.
During his tenure as governor, Makinde has started various projects and policies. His administration has focused on infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and youth empowerment.
In the recent 2023 general election, Makinde contested for reelection as governor of Oyo State. He emerged victorious once again, polling the highest votes and defeating his closest rivals from the APC and Accord Party.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Makinde as the winner and governor-elect for Oyo State on March 19, 2023.