Otunba Adebayo

**Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo: Biography** Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo (born February 4, 1958) is a Nigerian lawyer, politician, and business executive who served as the first democratically elected Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria, from 1999 to 2003. He later served as the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment from 2019 to 2023. He is recognized as a significant figure in Nigerian democracy and governance. **Early Life and Education** Richard Adebayo was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, to General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, a former Governor of the defunct Western State of Nigeria. He received his secondary education at the prestigious Christ School, Ado Ekiti. He proceeded to study Law at the University of Lagos, graduating in 1981, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982. Following his legal education, he engaged in private practice, working with several prominent law firms, including S.M. Oloko & Co. and subsequently becoming a partner at Ajumogobia and Okeke. **Career Progression and Major Achievements** Otunba Adebayo’s political career began with Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. He contested and won the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), becoming the state's first civilian governor. During his tenure, his administration focused on laying the foundation for modern governance, emphasizing infrastructure, education, and healthcare delivery in the newly created state. After his gubernatorial term ended in 2003, Adebayo remained active in national politics, serving in various capacities within his political party (which evolved into the All Progressives Congress or APC). In August 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him as the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. As Minister, his major achievements included driving key policy initiatives focused on attracting foreign direct investment, implementing the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), and overseeing trade negotiations, notably efforts related to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He championed policies aimed at improving the ease of doing business and boosting local manufacturing capacity before concluding his term in 2023. **Current Status** Otunba Adebayo currently remains a prominent elder statesman and a leader within the All Progressives Congress (APC). He continues to dedicate his efforts to the fields of law, business, and public service, offering counsel on political and economic matters in Nigeria.