Rotimi Akeredolu Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Net Worth & Death

Rotimi Akeredolu, also known as Aketi, was a Nigerian politician, lawyer, and activist who served as the governor of Ondo State from 2017 to 2023. He was also the president of the Nigerian Bar Association from 2008 to 2010, and the attorney general of Ondo State from 1997 to 1999. He was a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013. He died on December 27, 2023, at the age of 67, after a brief illness.

Early Life, Family, and Education

Rotimi was born on July 21, 1956, in Owo, a town in Ondo State, Nigeria. He was the son of Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu. He had five siblings: four brothers and one sister. He attended Government School, Owo, for his primary education, and Aquinas College, Akure, for his secondary education. He was a brilliant student who excelled in both academics and sports. He was the senior prefect of his school and the captain of the cricket and hockey teams.

He proceeded to study law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree in 1977. He was called to the Nigerian bar in 1978, after completing his professional training at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. He also obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Ife in 1980.

Rotimi Akeredolu Wiki/Bio

NameOluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu
BornJuly 21, 1956
DiedDecember 27, 2023
Age67 years
SpouseBetty Anyanwu-Akeredolu
ChildrenBabajide A Akeredolu, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Jr., Teniola Akeredolu, Kayinsola Akeredolu
PartyAll Progressives Congress
Previous officeAttorney General of Ondo State (1997–1999)
EducationObafemi Awolowo University, Aquinas College Akure
Social MediaInstagram: rotimiaketi

Twitter: RotimiAkeredolu

Wikipedia: Rotimi_Akeredolu
Homepagenewsunzip.com

Career and Achievements

Rotimi Akeredolu began his legal career as a junior counsel with the law firm of Fani-Kayode and Sowemimo in Lagos, where he worked from 1978 to 1980. He then established his own law firm, Olujinmi and Akeredolu, in partnership with Chief Akin Olujinmi, a former attorney general of the federation. He specialized in criminal, civil, and human rights litigation, and handled several high-profile cases, such as the defense of the Ogoni activists, led by Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was accused of murder by the military regime of General Sani Abacha in 1995.

He was also involved in politics and activism, as he joined the pro-democracy movement that opposed the military dictatorship and advocated for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. He was a founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a group that campaigned for the actualization of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was annulled by the military junta. He was also a member of the Concerned Professionals, a group of professionals who supported the democratic cause.

He rose to prominence in the legal profession when he was elected as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in 2008, defeating two other candidates, Chief Emeka Ngige and Prince Lanke Odogiyan. He served as the NBA president from 2008 to 2010, and during his tenure, he championed the rule of law, judicial independence, and human rights. He also led the NBA to intervene in several national issues, such as the constitutional crisis that arose from the ill-health of President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2009, and the electoral reforms that preceded the 2011 general elections.

He ventured into partisan politics in 2012, when he contested for the governorship of Ondo State under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the opposition parties that later merged to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013. He lost the election to the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, of the Labour Party, coming third behind Mimiko and Chief Olusola Oke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

He did not give up on his political ambition, as he ran for the governorship again in 2016, this time under the APC. He won the party’s primary election, defeating 23 other aspirants, including the incumbent deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi. He also won the general election, defeating Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was sworn in as the governor of Ondo State on February 24, 2017.

As the governor of Ondo State, he embarked on several developmental projects and policies, such as the construction of roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals, the provision of potable water and electricity, the promotion of agriculture and industrialization, the creation of jobs and empowerment of youths and women, the improvement of security and welfare, and the enhancement of good governance and transparency. He also initiated the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, a regional security outfit that was established to combat crime and insecurity in the South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

He was re-elected for a second term in 2020, defeating Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP and Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). He was sworn in for his second term on February 24, 2021. He continued to implement his vision and agenda for the state until he fell ill and died on December 27, 2023, after a brief illness. He was buried in his hometown, Owo, on December 30, 2023, amid tributes and condolences from various dignitaries and groups, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the APC, the PDP, the NBA, and the Ondo State government and people.

Net worth

Rotimi Akeredolu was a Nigerian politician and lawyer who served as the governor of Ondo State from 2017 to 2023. According to some sources, his net worth was estimated to be between $3 million and $5 million. His income sources were mostly from his political and legal careers, as well as his investments in real estate, agriculture, and sports. He was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who became the president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008

Personal Life and Legacy

Rotimi was married to Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a breast cancer survivor and advocate, whom he met at the University of Ife in 1976. They got married in 1981 and had four children: three sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Babajide Akeredolu, is a lawyer and politician, who served as the senior special assistant to the governor on new media. His other children are Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Jr., Teniola Akeredolu, and Kayinsola Akeredolu.

He was a devout Christian, who belonged to the Anglican Communion. He was also a philanthropist, who supported various causes and charities, especially in the areas of education, health, and sports. He was the founder and patron of the Akeredolu Foundation, a non-governmental organization that focused on empowering the less privileged and promoting social justice.

He was also an avid sports lover, who played and sponsored various sports, such as cricket, hockey, golf, and football. He was the chairman of the Ondo State Cricket Association and the vice-president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation. He was also a fan of the Manchester United Football Club.

He was a recipient of several awards and honors, such as the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), the Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and the honorary doctorate from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.

He was widely regarded as a man of integrity, courage, and vision, who dedicated his life to the service and leadership of his people. He was also known for his humility, generosity, and charisma, which endeared him to many. He left behind a legacy of excellence, achievement, and inspiration, which will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.

Physical Stats

Height (approx)In Feet Inches:- 5′ 8″.
In Centimeters:- 172 cm.
In Meters:- 1.72 m.
Weight (approx)75 kg (165.43 lbs).
SexualityStraight.
TattooNone.
Hair ColorBlack.
Eye ColorBlack.

Ethnicity and Religion

Rotimi Akeredolu was of Yoruba ethnicity, one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. He was born and raised in Owo, a town in Ondo State, which is part of the South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. He belonged to the Akeredolu family, a prominent and influential family in Owo. His middle name, Odunayo, means “Year of happiness” in Yoruba language.

Rotimi was a devout Christian, who belonged to the Anglican Communion. He was the son of Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu, who were both ministers of the gospel. He was also a philanthropist, who supported various causes and charities, especially in the areas of education, health, and sports. He was the founder and patron of the Akeredolu Foundation, a non-governmental organization that focused on empowering the less privileged and promoting social justice.

Death Cause

Rotimi Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, at the age of 67, after a brief illness. He was reportedly flown to Germany for medical treatment, but he did not survive. The Ondo State government confirmed his death and revealed that the cause of death was leukemia, a type of blood cancer.

He was buried in his hometown, Owo, on December 30, 2023, amid tributes and condolences from various dignitaries and groups, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the APC, the PDP, the NBA, and the Ondo State government and people. He was succeeded by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn in as the new governor of Ondo State on December 31, 2023.

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