A respected chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former president of the National Union of Nigerian Students, Chief Oluwole Emmanuel Adefila Adegboro, , has died at the age of 73.
He passed away in Akure, Ondo State.
News of his death has drawn widespread tributes from political figures, academics, traditional institutions, and former student activists across the country, celebrating his decades-long contributions to national development, student activism, and public service.
Adegboro first emerged as a national figure in 1971 when he was elected president of NUNS, becoming one of the most influential student leaders of his era. His leadership extended beyond Nigeria when he later became the first continental president of the All-Africa Students Union, based in Accra, Ghana—solidifying his role in shaping pan-African student movements.
In 1974, he joined the Nigerian Army and served with distinction in the Education Corps, eventually retiring with the rank of captain. He then pursued a career in higher education administration, holding key positions at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), where he served as deputy registrar and governing council member.
Adegboro’s political career spanned from the Second Republic through the Fourth Republic. He was a member of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) before becoming a prominent figure in the APC. He represented Akure Federal Constituency during the 1988–89 National Constituent Assembly, where he earned national respect for his legislative insight and contributions.
Within Ondo State, he held several key government positions, including Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; and Special Adviser on Education and Special Duties. One of his lasting legacies was his pivotal role in relocating Adekunle Ajasin University to its permanent site in Akungba-Akoko.
Beyond politics and education, Adegboro was a media voice and cultural advocate. He founded Odua Voice newspaper and Black Pride magazine, both of which became influential platforms for progressive thought. He was also the author of Michael Adekunle Ajasin: The Story of a Legend, among other works. His widely read column, “Platform,” was known for its intellectual depth and moral conviction.
A prince from the Osupa/Odundun royal family in Akure, Chief Adegboro’s legacy bridges Nigeria’s academic, political, and traditional spheres.
