Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa
Website: www.ondostate.gov.ng
Office Date: 27th December, 2023
Address: Government House, Akure
Birth Date: 12th January, 1965
Birth State: Ondo State
Political Party: All Progressive Congress (APC)
State: Ondo State
Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, born on 12 January 1965, is a distinguished Nigerian businessman and politician currently serving as the governor of Ondo State since 2023. His political journey includes a stint as the deputy governor of Ondo State from 2021 to 2023 under Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, whom he succeeded. Aiyedatiwa is also a former commissioner of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Aiyedatiwa assumed the role of acting governor on 12 December 2023, following Governor Rotimi Akeredolu's departure on medical leave. Notably, he had previously served as acting governor from June to September 2023 during Akeredolu's earlier medical leave.
Born in Obe-Nla, an oil-bearing community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Aiyedatiwa's educational journey began at Saint Peter's UNA (now FAC) Primary School, Obe Nla/Obe Adun. He later attended Ikosi High School, Ketu, Lagos, for his secondary education. Aiyedatiwa's pursuit of knowledge continued with an Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Government from Lagos State College of Education. He furthered his studies with an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan in 2001, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, in 2013.
Aiyedatiwa's professional journey kicked off with roles such as Inventory/Store Officer at Scoa Assembly Plant Plc. Apapa, Lagos, and Assistant Head Teacher at Reliance International Schools, Ijokodo, Ibadan. His career evolved, encompassing positions like Marketing Officer at Universal Pharmaceutical Supply Co. Ltd, Ikeja, Lagos, and Assistant Investment Analyst at Global Trust Limited, Gbagada, Lagos. In 1996, he established the Blue Wall Group of Companies, which includes Blue Wall Nigeria Ltd, Blue Wall BDC Nigeria Ltd (a CBN-licensed foreign exchange trading company), and Blue Wall Safety Travels and Tours (an IATA-licensed Travel Agency and Logistic Company).
Aiyedatiwa ventured into active politics in 2011 as a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), later merging into the All Progressives Congress (APC). He played a significant role as one of the National Delegates from Ondo State at the APC National Convention in 2014. Aiyedatiwa also contested for the federal House of Representatives for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly General Election.
From 2018 to 2019, Aiyedatiwa served as the federal commissioner representing Ondo State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
His political journey in Ondo State continued as he was chosen as the running mate for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election. Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu were elected governor and deputy governor, respectively, on 11 October 2020, and were sworn into office on 25 February 2021.
Following Akeredolu's departure for end-stage leukaemia treatment, Aiyedatiwa became acting governor on 12 December 2023. Tragically, on 27 December 2023, Akeredolu passed away, leading to Aiyedatiwa's official swearing-in as the governor of Ondo State.