Akeredolu: Life and Times of Late Ondo Governor

Fondly referred to as “Aketi“, former Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has died after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.

In his lifetime, Akeredolu was a legal practitioner who rose to become the President of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Governor of Ondo state.

Here are some quick facts about the late Aketi:

Early Life and Education

1.  He was born on July 21, 1956, in Owo, Ondo State to Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu (father) and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu (mother)

2. He had his Primary education at Government School, Owo; Secondary education at Aquinas College, Akure, and Loyola College, Ibadan.

3. He had his Higher School Certificate at Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro.

4. He had his LLB degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978.

Personal Life and Family

5. Aketi was a Christian with a Chapel of Epiphany dedicated at his Owo residence.

6. He was a Chancellor of the Cathedral of St. Andrews Church, Owo.

7. He was married to Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu with four children.

Political and Professional Career

8. He served as the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Bar Association Ibadan branch from 1985-1986; and as the Vice Chairman from 1992 to 1994.

9. From 1997 to 1999, Akeredolu was Ondo State’s attorney general.

10. In 1998, he was appointed as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

11. From 2005 to 2006, he presided over the Legal Aid Council as its chairman.

12. He also served as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association between 2008 and 2009.

13. He was a Managing Partner at the law firm of Olujinmi & Akeredolu.

14. In 2012, he lost the Ondo state governorship election to the incumbent Olusegun Mimiko.

15. However, in 2016 he bounced back to win the election and was sworn into office in February 2017.

16. In 2020, he won re-election for a second term and was sworn into office in February 2021, this time, with a new deputy.