Honourable Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services, Ikeja Local Government Council
Comrade Tayo Aderinola, Honourable Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services, Ikeja Local Government Council, has reflected on his remarkable journey of service, leadership, grassroots mobilization, and political commitment as he prepares to celebrate his 55th birthday on June 1, 2026.
In a heartfelt message addressed to party leaders, associates, and supporters, the seasoned grassroots politician expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God for preserving his life through decades of political activism, public service, media practice, youth development, and community engagement.
According to him, the occasion marks not only his 55th birthday but also 28 years of active involvement in grassroots politics — a commitment that represents more than half of his existence.
Aderinola recalled that his political journey began in 1998 as the Ward Publicity Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Ikeja Ward E, before later serving as Ward Secretary under the Action Congress (AC). He noted that the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in 2003 by the then Governor of Lagos State and current President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, further expanded opportunities for progressive-minded grassroots politicians across Lagos State.
He further reflected on his appointment as Ward Chairman in 2007 under the leadership of the late Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, describing the opportunity as a defining moment in his political journey and contribution to the progressive movement under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Drawing from his background in student activism and comradeship, Aderinola explained that his mobilization strategy focused heavily on youth engagement, grassroots inclusion, and community participation, while also enjoying tremendous support from elderly members of the community.
He stated that through collective dedication and strategic mobilization, his ward consistently emerged as one of the best-performing wards in Lagos State, winning three general elections and three local government elections with overwhelming results. According to him, the ward repeatedly recorded some of the highest polling unit and ward votes across the 18 wards of Ikeja Federal Constituency.
He also recalled being returned as one of the pioneer Ward Chairmen during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, a position he held until 2018 before serving two terms as Publicity Secretary of APC Ikeja Local Government.
Beyond politics, Aderinola highlighted his extensive contributions to media practice, having worked across radio, television, and print journalism through publications such as Ikeja Teleview, Ikeja Updates, Ikeja Panorama, and Lagos Panorama. He explained that his media background greatly enhanced his communication, mobilization, and community engagement strategies.
Speaking on youth and sports development, the grassroots mobilizer recounted his initiation of football competitions, including the Ikeja Soccer Challenge, designed to discover and nurture budding talents across wards and communities in Ikeja.
According to him, selected players from the competitions later formed the Ikeja All Stars Football Club, which remarkably won the first and only National 5-Aside Football League in 2018.
Aderinola proudly revealed that among talents discovered through the initiative were Dele Alampasu, who later emerged as the World Best Goalkeeper at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup after Nigeria won the tournament, as well as current Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen.
He further noted that several individuals who worked with him in the sports development initiative have gone on to become notable political figures, including the current Leader of the Ikeja Legislative Council, Hon. Rasheed Ogunleye, who served as an assistant coach in the junior football team, and the current Majority Leader of the Council, Hon. Ganiyu Lawal, who played for the senior team, Ikeja All Stars Football Club.
The football development initiative, he added, later earned him the role of Assistant Director of Sports for the BOS/KOH Independent Campaign Group, where he initiated the BOS Lagos Community Soccer Challenge — a massive grassroots football tournament involving over 400 teams and more than 4,000 players across the five divisions of Lagos State.
Although he was later promised membership of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Aderinola disclosed that the promise was never fulfilled, though he was eventually appointed as a member of the Lagos Deaf Sports Association.
The media practitioner and political mobilizer also reflected on his aspiration to contest for a position within Ikeja Local Government Council, explaining that his experiences as a grassroots politician, community mobilizer, media practitioner, and President of the National Association of Community Media Practitioners of Nigeria inspired his desire to contribute more directly to grassroots governance and sustainable development.
However, he stated that he eventually aligned with the decision of the party leadership and fully supported the emergence of Hon. Akeem Dauda as Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Council.
Aderinola described it as an honour to currently serve under the administration of Hon. Akeem Dauda as Honourable Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services, a responsibility he said he has carried with humility, dedication, and commitment to effective service delivery.
He also expressed deep appreciation to leaders and stakeholders who have supported his political and professional journey over the years, especially Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, whom he praised for his consistent support, encouragement, and commitment to loyal party faithful.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Aderinola revealed that the League of Former Ward Chairmen of the Progressives in Ikeja Federal Constituency, under his leadership, is set to commence an orientation and strategic capacity-building programme for current Ward Chairmen and Secretaries.
According to him, the initiative is designed to strengthen election-winning strategies before, during, and after elections as part of preparations for future electoral victories.
As he prepares to celebrate his new age, Comrade Tayo Aderinola reaffirmed his commitment to continued service to humanity, the progressive family, and the people of Ikeja, while praying for greater wisdom, renewed strength, good health, and more opportunities to contribute meaningfully to society.
“To God alone be all the glory,” he stated.
