Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola was born on 25 May 1957 in Ilesa, a historic community in present day Osun State. He pursued Mechanical Engineering Technology at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, completing his programme in 1980. His training as a technologist shaped both his administrative approach and the reputation he would later earn in public service. His transition from civic activism in the 1990s into mainstream politics formed the beginning of a documented career that would later span state and federal governance.
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Lagos Years in Government
In 1999, as Nigeria returned to democratic rule, Aregbesola was appointed Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos State by Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He served from 1999 to 2007, a period marked by extensive road rehabilitation and the expansion of urban infrastructure. His office was responsible for coordinating public works and supporting projects intended to ease transportation challenges in the rapidly growing state. His eight year tenure is one of the most clearly documented parts of his political career.
Rise to the Osun Governorship
Aregbesola contested the 2007 Osun State gubernatorial election under the Action Congress. Following a lengthy legal challenge to the announced results, the Court of Appeal declared him the rightful winner on 26 November 2010. He was sworn in the following day and later secured re election in 2014. His two terms in office ran from November 2010 to November 2018. The legal and electoral events surrounding his emergence are among the most widely reported in Nigerian political history and marked a turning point in the state’s political direction.
The Six Point Integral Action Plan
Upon assuming office, Aregbesola introduced the Six Point Integral Action Plan which became the guiding framework for his administration. The plan focused on reducing poverty, tackling hunger, creating employment, promoting healthy living, advancing functional education and strengthening communal peace. This framework shaped budget priorities, programme design and policy execution throughout his two terms.
Documented Programmes and Reforms in Osun
Employment and Youth Engagement
One of the administration’s most widely acknowledged programmes was the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme. Known as O YES, it engaged twenty thousand young people in structured public service roles during its early implementation. The programme provided work experience across sanitation, traffic control, public works and community health support. It remains one of the most verifiable social initiatives of the period.
Education Infrastructure and Technology
Aregbesola’s government undertook a major effort to rebuild and modernise public schools. Several new and refurbished schools were completed, including notable flagship institutions that drew national attention. His administration also introduced the Opon Imo learning tablet which provided senior secondary students with digital curriculum materials. The programme marked one of the earliest government backed e learning deployments in Nigeria, even as it generated national discussion about digital education.
School Feeding Programme
The Home Grown School Feeding initiative in Osun received a comprehensive restructuring under the name O MEALS. Independent reviews documented improvements in school attendance and nutrition outcomes. The programme later influenced similar social investment initiatives at the federal level.
Agricultural Support and Rural Enterprise
Through the Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme, the administration provided targeted support to small scale farmers, especially within poultry and crop value chains. Documented state releases confirm credit schemes, market support and partnerships designed to improve rural livelihoods. These efforts formed part of the broader strategy to stimulate local food production.
Road and Infrastructure Development
Aregbesola’s administration supervised significant road rehabilitation and upgrades across Osun State. Multiple public records show investments in state roads and urban infrastructure aimed at improving mobility. While no single audited document lists total kilometres constructed, the existence of substantial roadwork is well established.
Promotion of Civic Identity and Cultural Inclusion
Aregbesola championed the concept of the Omoluabi ethos, a long standing Yoruba philosophy that emphasises integrity, character and communal responsibility. He adopted the official style “Ogbeni”, symbolising simplicity in leadership. His administration also introduced Isese Day as a public holiday for traditional religion adherents, reflecting efforts to recognise Osun’s multi faith identity. These cultural policies contributed to strengthening civic identity within the state.
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Minister of the Interior of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
On 21 August 2019, Aregbesola was appointed Minister of the Interior by President Muhammadu Buhari. His portfolio included oversight of the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Correctional Service. During his tenure, federal documents confirm ongoing work on modern custodial centres, including a three thousand capacity facility near Abuja. The Nigeria Immigration Service expanded its digital service platforms, particularly in areas related to work permits and visa processing.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also introduced a dedicated Female Squad to support Safe School security efforts. This initiative was documented in federal press briefings and formed part of the national response to threats against educational institutions.
Aregbesola completed his term on 29 May 2023.
Later Political Developments
In 2025, some Nigerian newspapers reported that Aregbesola had been associated with a proposed interim leadership arrangement within the African Democratic Congress. However, because prominent elements within the party publicly challenged the announcement, the development remains referenced in the public domain only as a reported political event rather than a confirmed leadership position. This article preserves the verified fact that such reports were published, without asserting their final outcome.
Author’s Note
Rauf Aregbesola’s journey reflects one of the most clearly recorded transitions from state level technocratic service to federal leadership in modern Nigeria. His tenure in Lagos established his public profile, his legal victory in Osun reshaped state politics and his period as Minister of the Interior placed him at the centre of national security and administrative reforms. The milestones of his career reveal a figure defined by public sector experience, policy driven governance and notable civic engagement across education, youth employment and institutional reform.
References
Reuters report on the Court of Appeal judgement
Osun State Government publications
Federal Ministry of Information briefs
Nigeria Immigration Service public records
Nigeria Correctional Service releases
