As Seyi Makinde’s second term draws to a close, the political climate in Oyo State continue to tick with speculation. Who will succeed him in 2027? Political analysts, party loyalists, and grassroots leaders are still weighing potential candidates across the PDP, APC, and other emerging parties. Within the PDP, several names circulate quietly, tested political gladiators, technocrats, and new aspirants each with varying degrees of political capital. Among them, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), stands out for his rare blend of academic distinction, political resilience, and administrative efficiency. For more than three decades, Adeniran has been woven into the art of Oyo State’s political and developmental history, serving as a local government chairman, commissioner, university lecturer, lawyer, campaign tactician, and most recently, an education reformer credited with visible improvements in the state’s basic education sector.
Born into the popular Asa Compound in Ibadan South-West Local Government, Adeniran’s heritage is firmly anchored in the largest voting bloc in Oyo State, a strategic advantage in any gubernatorial contest. His educational foundation reflects a deep commitment to excellence. He attended Ansar-ud-Deen Primary School, Oke-Foko, Moslem Grammar School, Odinjo, and Oyo State College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife, before earning a Second Class Upper in Adult Education and Political Science from the University of Ibadan in 1990. He went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Communication Arts, graduating as the best higher degree student in his department, and later obtained a PhD in Communication Arts & Community Development in 2001, where he won the prestigious E.L. Osunkunle Award and the M.K.O. Abiola Postgraduate Fellowship. Demonstrating his academic versatility, he returned to UI to earn an LLB (Second Class Upper) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2008.
His professional journey began during his NYSC year, lecturing at Kaduna Polytechnic. He later taught at the University of Ibadan’s Extra Mural Unit, became a Senior Lecturer at Lead City University, and served as a facilitator for the National Open University of Nigeria. His teaching specialisations, research methodology, mass communication theories, media law, and technical report writing, provided him with analytical and communication skills that now define his political persona. In 2010, he co-founded Adeniran & Adeniran Associates, a law firm in Ibadan, where he practiced as a legal practitioner, notary public, and real estate consultant.
Adeniran’s political career is long and layered. He served as Executive Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government from 1999 to 2002, where his grassroots projects still get favourable mention in political discussions. Under Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, he held two key commissioner positions, Industry, Applied Science & Technology, and later Education, Science & Technology. At the federal level, he served on the Governing Councils of the National Teachers Institute and the Teachers Registration Council, and was a member of the National Implementation Committee on Almajiri Education. He also represented the South-West on the 10-Year Universal Basic Education Road Map Committee (2021–2030).
Politically, his value to the PDP is undeniable. In 2019, he was the Presidential Campaign Coordinator in Oyo, Secretary of Makinde’s Governorship Campaign Council, and State Collation Agent, roles that positioned him at the centre of Makinde’s victory. In 2023, he served as Deputy Director-General of Makinde’s Campaign and once again as State Collation Agent, identifying his status as a trusted party strategist.
Since his appointment as SUBEB Chairman in 2019, and subsequent reappointment in 2023, Adeniran has overseen visible improvements in Oyo’s basic education sector. He was unanimously elected as the South-West caucus leader of SUBEB Chairmen between 2019 and 2023, and later became Secretary of the National Forum of SUBEB Chairmen. Under his watch, SUBEB has earned numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Oyo Agency of the Year Award in 2021, the Award of Excellence on Exemplary Performance by NUJ Oyo Council, the Diamond SUBEB Chairman recognition for the South-West Zone, and commendations from institutions such as the Methodist Church, the African Students Union Parliament, and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes.
Today, Adeniran’s influence extends well beyond Nigeria. He has attended high-level international conferences such as the Urban Environment Forum in Cape Town, the UN International Conference on Learning from Best Practices in Chengdu, China, the International Summit on Good Governance in Ghana, and most recently the Education World Forum in London. His academic and leadership development continued with an executive leadership programme at Linacre College, University of Oxford in 2023.
Meanwhile, these experiences have equipped him with a blend of local grounding and global perspective. His solid political roots in Ibadan give him a natural home advantage if zoning favours the city. His decades of administrative and political experience across local, state, and federal levels give him unmatched institutional knowledge. His strong record of achievements in education reform enhances his credibility, while his international exposure strengthens his policy-making credentials.
Yet, the road to 2027 will not be without the expected challenges. Adeniran will need to strengthen his alliance with Governor Makinde, positioning himself as the natural continuity candidate capable of protecting and expanding the governor’s legacy. This means maintaining consistent political alignment, projecting public synergy, and taking visible roles in strategic projects between now and the election year. He must also begin early grassroots mobilisation, engaging with ward structures, youth groups, religious leaders, and traditional institutions to secure a loyal base before rivals consolidate their networks.
Even more, to win, he must expand his agenda beyond education, outlining bold plans for the economy, infrastructure, healthcare, job creation, and security. Above all, he must connect directly with ordinary voters, market women, artisans, transport unions, and young influencers, through town hall meetings, radio engagement, and community outreach.
Now, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran’s profile places him among the PDP’s strongest potential candidates for Oyo 2027. His political capital, administrative record, and Ibadan heritage are formidable assets. However, in the unpredictable terrain of Oyo and Ibadam politics, timing, alliances, and mass appeal will decide his fate. If he moves decisively, deepens his bond with Makinde, and energises the grassroots, he could be the man to beat. If he hesitates, he risks being remembered as the most qualified candidate who never became governor.
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