Kayode Fayemi

John Olukayode Fayemi (born February 9, 1965) is a Nigerian politician, academic, and author who served as the Governor of Ekiti State from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022. He previously served as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development from 2015 to 2018. Fayemi is a prominent figure in Nigeria's progressive politics and a known advocate for democracy, human rights, and development. Early Life and Education Kayode Fayemi was born in Isan-Ekiti in the Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria. He attended Christ's School Ado Ekiti for his secondary education. He went on to receive degrees in History and Politics from the University of Lagos and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), respectively. Fayemi then proceeded to the United Kingdom, where he earned a master’s degree in International Relations and a doctorate in War Studies from King's College London, specializing in civil-military relations. Career Progression Prior to entering politics, Fayemi established a distinguished career as a scholar and a peace and security expert. He was a lecturer at the Nigerian Police Academy, a policy analyst, and a research fellow at several institutions, including the African Centre for Democratic Governance (AFRIGOV). He founded and was the Director of the Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD), a non-governmental organization focused on research, training, and policy advocacy in West Africa. His political career began in Ekiti State, where he contested for the governorship in 2007. After a lengthy legal challenge, he was declared the rightful winner and served as governor from October 2010 to October 2014. After losing his re-election bid, he was appointed the Minister of Solid Minerals Development by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. He resigned in 2018 to contest for the governorship again, successfully winning and serving his second term from 2018 to 2022. Major Achievements and Notable Works As a governor, Fayemi focused on infrastructure development, social investments, and human capital development, implementing a free healthcare program for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. During his time as Minister of Solid Minerals, he led the effort to diversify Nigeria's economy by revitalizing the mining sector. As an academic and intellectual, Fayemi has authored several notable works, including *Deepening the Culture of Constitutionalism: The Role of Regional Institutions in the Protection of Human Rights in the African Union* and *Out of the Shadows: Exile and the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria*. He is recognized for his contributions to scholarship on governance and civil-military relations in Africa. Current Status Following the conclusion of his second term as Governor of Ekiti State in October 2022, Kayode Fayemi has remained a key figure in Nigerian politics and global governance circles. He has been actively involved in high-level policy discussions and think-tanks, focusing on issues of democracy and development across the continent.