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They are arguably the most prominent and politically exposed family in Osun State currently. This is the story of the Adeleke family of Ede, Osun Osogbo. Even before the current governor, Ademola Adeleke became governor of the state, the family was already well known. In terms of wealth, prominence, and popularity, the Adeleke family is number one in the entire Osun. Their fame increased when the late Isiaka Adeleke, popularly called Serubawon became governor before he died many years ago. His younger brother, Ademola, who is now the governor, followed him into politics, becoming a Senator and now governor.
To many, the current governor Ademola Adeleke has further popularised the name with his dancing, earning him the nickname ‘Dancing Governor’ – a title recognised by both young and old across Nigeria and beyond, which comprises six present-day local governments in Osun State: Ede, Osogbo, Irepodun, Ifelodun, Odo Otin, and Ila Orangun.
The Patriarch of the family, Chief Raji Ayoola. Adeleke was born in his hometown of Ede on 27 December 1923. His mother, Madam Adeboyin of OniIegogoro’s compound, was a former Iyalode (Head of market women) in Ede. Between 1935 and 1938, Adeleke attended St. Peter’s Primary School, Ede, Osun, and later Ibadan Grammar School, graduating in 1943. In 1947, he earned a registered nurse certificate. He was a pioneer member of the Union of Nigerian Nurses in 1948. Adeleke was married twice; his second wife, Mrs. Nnena Esther Adeleke, was from Abia State. He had five children, including Isiaka Adeleke, Adedeji Adeleke, and Ademola Adeleke. Nnenna Esther, the mother of the late Isiaka Adeleke, Adedeji Adeleke, and Governor Ademola Adeleke is the first woman in Nigeria to raise two Osun governors. Mrs. Nnenna Esther Adeleke (née Akpara) is the only Nigerian woman whose two sons became elected governors of the same state at different times.
Nnenna was also the mother of Adedeji Adeleke, billionaire businessman and founder of Adeleke University and the Pacific Group, a conglomerate with investments in real estate and power generation. The Pacific Group has three power-generating plants in Nigeria and contributes over 55% of the power generation in our country. Adedeji is also the father of Nigerian musician Davido. Originating from Akwete, in the Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, she was married to Senator Ayoola Adeleke, a prominent politician from Ede, Osun State, bringing together Igbo and Yoruba heritage in a family whose influence would eventually stretch far beyond both communities. Two sons became governors of the same state at different times. Another built a business empire and raised one of Africa’s biggest music stars. She practically raised kings before she died years ago.
Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke is the eldest of the three brothers and sons of the late Chief Ayoola Adeleke of the Ede Dynasty. Though he is late, he was 62 years old when he died many years ago. He was a Nigerian politician and a two-time senator who represented Osun West from 2007 to 2011 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was elected again under the banner of the All Progressives Congress in 2015. He ran for re-election in April 2011 on the PDP platform, coming second with 77,090 votes behind the eventual winner, Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussein of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who polled 121,971 votes.
Notable decisions made by Adeleke included the establishment of a Polytechnic at Iree, College of Technology at Esa-Oke, and the completion of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation. However, in 1994, after the dissolution of the republic, Adeleke aligned himself with the opposition group, Afenifere, but later switched to join the Democratic Party of Nigeria, a new political party with support from close associates of ex-Head of State, Sanni Abacha.
Before his death, Adeleke was allegedly eyeing the governorship seat in Osun ahead of the 2018 election in the state. Adeleke suffered a heart attack. He died on 23 April 2017 at Biket Hospital in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. It was a sad experience for the residents of Osun State, his family, and well-wishers.
Some of Serubawon’s children include: Hon. (Mrs.) Adenike Adeleke, who is a Commissioner for Federal Matters in Abuja. She is a committed Christian dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives. Hon. (Mrs.) Adenike Adeleke has a strong sense of responsibility to positively impact the lives of those within and outside her sphere of influence.
She was born in 1967. What about Tunji Adeleke? He is a Local Government Chairman.
Mr. Deji Adeleke in 1996, he established the Springtime Development Foundation to channel resources into education, healthcare and community development.In 2011, he founded Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State, in honour of his late wife Dr Veronica Adeleke who died on 6 March 2003. The university is built on the Seventh-day Adventist philosophy of education and emphasises moral discipline, academic excellence and affordability.
Adeleke was married to Dr Veronica Adeleke until her death on 6 March 2003. They have four children: Adewale Adeleke, David Adeleke (known professionally as Davido), Sharon, and Ashley Coco.
The second son of Chief Chief Raji Ayoola and Mrs Nnenna Adedeji.
Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke is youngest of the three. He has been serving as the governor of Osun State since 2022. Before then, he served as the senator representing the Osun-West senatorial district from 2017 to 2019.
He contested in the 2022 Osun State gubernatorial election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and defeated Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, who, in turn defeated him in the 2018 Osun State gubernatorial election rerun.
Adeleke contested in the 2026 Osun State gubernatorial election under the platform of Accord party. On 16 August 2026, he was re-elected the governor of Osun State after defeating All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji in the governorship election. He was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 511,067 votes to Oyebamiji’s 444,815.
Adeleke is the husband of Titilola and Erelu Abeni Adeleke, his 2 wives regarded by many as the state 1st Ladies .
Meet Governor Adeleke’s 6 children!
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is not only known for his political career but also as a proud father of six children.
The Adeleke family continues to attract public attention, with the governor’s children making their own marks in different areas of life.
They are: Adenike Adeleke, Folasade Adeleke, Bukola Adeleke, Omolola Adeleke, Shina Adeleke, Adebayo Adeleke.
Isaac Abimbade
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