Profile
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is a Nigerian politician who previously served as the Secretary to the Ekiti State Government between 2018 and 2021, when he resigned to run for the Ekiti State 2022 gubernatorial elections, on the platform of All Progressives Congress. He has held several political roles under different state administrations since 1999. Oyebanji by profession, is a university lecturer, banker and businessman.
Personal Life
Born on 21st December 1967, in Ikogosi, Ekiti State. He is married to Prof. (Mrs) Oyebanji, an associate professor at the University of Ibadan, and also a princess in Ado Ekiti.
Education
| School | Qualification | Year |
| University of Ibadan, Oyo State | M.Sc Political Science (International Relations & Strategic Studies) | 1992 |
| Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti) | B.Sc Political Science | 1989 |
| District Commercial Secondary School, Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State | Secondary School Leaving Certificate | 1983-1985 |
| Federal School of Arts and Science, Ondo State | ||
| C.A.C. Grammar School, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State | 1979 | |
| Awo Community High School, Ekiti State | ||
| Baptist Primary School, Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ekiti State | First School Leaving Certificate |
Work History
| Place | Position | Date |
| Con Dois Farms LTD | Chief Executive Officer | |
| Omega Bank Plc (now Heritage Bank) | Manager of Treasury and Financial Service Department | 1997-1999 |
| University of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State | Lecturer, Department of Political Science | 1993-1997 |
BAO
Ikogosi, Ekiti State
21st December 1967
Ekiti State
All Progressives Congress
Christianity
Secretary to Ekiti State Government (2018-2021)
Commissioner, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Service Delivery, Ekiti State (2013-2014)
Commissioner, Ministry of Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Ekiti State (2010- 2011)
Chief of Staff to the Governor (2001-2003)
Governor of Ekiti State
Political History
Oyebanji’s political journey began when he served as the youngest member and secretary of the committee for the creation of Ekiti State in 1996. He was also the secretary of the Ekiti State Development Fund.
He later went on to become the Special Assistant on Legislative Matters to the first governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo. He held this position from 8th June 1999 to 2000, before becoming the Special Adviser to the Governor between 1st August 2000 to September 2001.
Following this, Oyebanji was immediately appointed the Chief of Staff to the Governor, and he worked in this capacity until May 29th, 2003, when Governor Adebayo’s tenure ended.
Between June 2009 and December 2010, he served in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, as the Chairman, Governing Board of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre.
In the first administration of Former Governor Kayode Fayemi, between 2010 and 2014, Oyebanji held several roles including:
- Commissioner, Ministry of Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Ekiti State (23rd December 2010-December 2011)
- Director-General, Office of Transformation Strategy and Delivery (OTSD), Ekiti State (December 2011-9th January 2013)
- Commissioner, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Service Delivery, Ekiti State (10th January 2013-16th October 2014)
Under Former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s second administration, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Ekiti State Government. He held this position from 16th October, 2018 to December 7th, 2021, when he officially resigned to run for the governorship office of Ekiti State in the 2022 gubernatorial elections.
Having won the Ekiti State gubernatorial election, he is now the governor of Ekiti State
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- Distinguished Alumnus Award conferred by the Alumni Association of Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti
- Certificate of Excellence awarded by the National Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS), Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti
Project
Criticism/Controversy
In January 2022, Fayemi was accused of bribery and electoral fraud surrounding the 2022 Ekiti APC gubernatorial primary. Reports showed that Fayemi had allegedly bribed the APC primary committee and INEC officials in the days before the primary, leading to the withdrawal of all candidates aside from the Fayemi-supported Abiodun Oyebanji. Oyebanji emerged victorious from the primary, receiving nearly 97% of the vote with a margin of over 100,000 votes. Such extreme efforts were speculated to be connected to Fayemi’s desire to have an ally as his successor to give a boost to his likely 2022 presidential candidacy.
