Rotimi Akeredolu Biography, Education, Career, Controversies, And Net Worth

Rotimi Akeredolu was a Nigerian lawyer and politician currently serving as the Governor of Ondo State. He was born on July 21, 1956, in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, and studied law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He co-founded the law firm of Olujinmi & Akeredolu before entering politics and has held various positions including Attorney General of Ondo State, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Rotimi Akeredolu Profile

Name	Rotimi Akeredolu
Real Name	Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu
Date of Birth	21 July 1956
Age	67 years
State of Origin	Ondo State
Tribe	Yoruba
Nationality	Nigerian
Occupation	Lawyer and Politician
Wife	Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu
Religion	Christianity
Political party	All Progressives Congress (APC)
Net Worth	$5 Million
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Educational Background

Rotimi Akeredolu attended a government school in Owo for his primary education before proceeding to Aquinas College, Akure, Loyola College, Ibadan, and Ayetoro Comprehensive High School for his secondary education and Higher School Certificate, respectively. He studied law at the University of Ife and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978.

Career

Rotimi Akeredolu began his career as a lawyer after obtaining a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He co-founded the law firm of Olujinmi & Akeredolu, where he served as a Managing Partner, handling high-profile legal cases and building a reputation as one of the top legal practitioners in Nigeria.

Political Career

In 1997, Akeredolu was appointed as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, where he worked to reform the legal system and promote the rule of law. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Legal Aid Council and the Office of the Public Defender, which provided legal assistance to indigent citizens and ensured that the rights of the people were protected.

Akeredolu was elected as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008, where he continued his advocacy for the protection of human rights and the promotion of the rule of law. He also worked to improve the welfare of lawyers in Nigeria and promote the ethical standards of the legal profession.

In 2012, Akeredolu was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), which is the highest recognition given to legal practitioners in Nigeria. He has also served as a member of various committees and panels, including the Constitution Review Committee, the National Council on Establishment, and the Presidential Committee on Prison Reform and Decongestion.

In 2016, Akeredolu contested the gubernatorial election in Ondo State and emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He went on to win the election and was sworn in as the Governor of Ondo State on February 24, 2017. As the governor, Akeredolu has implemented various policies and programs aimed at promoting economic growth and development in the state.

He has also worked to improve the infrastructure, healthcare, and education sectors, and has attracted foreign investment to the state. In addition, Akeredolu is the Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum, a regional organization comprising the governors of the six states in the Southwest region of Nigeria.

Under his leadership, the Forum has worked to promote regional integration, economic development, and security in the Southwest region. Overall, Akeredolu’s career as a lawyer and public servant has been characterized by a commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and the development of Nigeria. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the legal profession and public service.

Controversies

Despite his many accomplishments, Rotimi Akeredolu has also been embroiled in some controversies during his career. One of the most notable controversies was the impeachment of his deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, in 2020. Ajayi, who had previously defected from the APC to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was accused of gross misconduct and disloyalty by the state House of Assembly, which led to his removal from office.

The impeachment of Ajayi was widely criticized by the opposition and some civil society groups, who accused Akeredolu of using state institutions to pursue a personal vendetta against his former deputy. Some critics also alleged that the impeachment was politically motivated and aimed at consolidating Akeredolu’s hold on power in the state. Another controversy involving Akeredolu was his decision to establish the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, in 2020.

The agency was created as a regional security outfit to combat the rising spate of crime and insecurity in the Southwest region of Nigeria. However, the establishment of the agency was met. However, these allegations were reviewed and dropped by the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Rotimi Akeredolu Instagram Handle

Rotimi Akeredolu is on Instagram @rotimiaketi.

Personal Life

Rotimi Akeredolu is married to Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a breast cancer survivor and advocate for breast cancer awareness. They have four children together.

Rotimi Akeredolu Net Worth

Rotimi Akeredolu is estimated to be worth over $5 Million.

Death

On 27 December 2023, Gov. Akeredolu died after a prolonged battle with leukemia. He was 67 years old.