Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin was born on 28 November 1908 in Owo, in what is now Ondo State, south‑western Nigeria. He grew up at a time when formal Western education was becoming more accessible to Nigerians under British colonial rule. This period produced a new class of Nigerian professionals who would later lead in shaping public policy and governance.
His early schooling began at local mission schools before he attended St. Andrew’s College, Oyo from 1924 to 1927, where he trained as a teacher. After some years of classroom teaching, he pursued higher education abroad. In 1943 he enrolled at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, where he graduated in June 1946 with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Modern History and Economics. He then went to the Institute of Education, University of London, where he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in June 1947.
Ajasin’s educational achievements equipped him with both pedagogical expertise and an understanding of social and political thought, which became hallmarks of his public life.
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Education Career and Contribution to School Leadership
Upon returning to Nigeria in 1947, Ajasin was appointed Principal of Imade College in Owo on 12 September 1947. During his tenure, he emphasised teacher development and instructional quality, including sending instructors for further training at University College, Ibadan.
In 1951 he wrote a policy paper that was adopted by the Action Group party, advocating for free education at all levels. This initiative contributed to the later adoption of free education programmes in Western Nigeria and remains part of his educational legacy.
Ajasin left Imade College in December 1962 to establish Owo High School, which formally opened on 18 January 1963 with an initial intake of pupils. He served as founder, proprietor and principal until August 1975, when he retired from active educational management. Owo High School was widely regarded for providing quality secondary education and improving educational access in the region.
Political Career: Pre‑Independence and First Republic Involvement
Ajasin moved gradually into active politics in the 1950s, at a time when Nigeria was moving toward self‑government. He was a national vice‑president of the Action Group (AG), a political party established in 1951 to lead the struggle for democratic governance and regional development. The party’s platform included policies on education, economic growth and social welfare.
In his early political roles, Ajasin was elected as a ward councillor and later became Chairman of the Owo District Council. He was elected to the Federal House of Representatives in Lagos, where he served as a legislator from 1954 to 1966, the period that spanned Nigeria’s transition from colonial rule to independence in 1960 and the decade that followed.
His legislative service occurred during the First Republic, a time of intense political activity and constitutional developments that set the foundation for Nigeria’s post‑independence governance structures.
Return to Democratic Politics and Governorship
After several years under military rule following the 1966 coup, Nigeria returned to constitutional governance in 1979. Ajasin became a prominent figure in the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), which traced its ideological roots to the Action Group. In the 1979 Ondo State gubernatorial election, he was elected Governor of Ondo State, inaugurated on 1 October 1979. His deputy was Akin Omoboriowo.
As governor, Ajasin continued to prioritise education, enacting policies and funding for schools and teacher support. In 1982 he signed the law establishing the Ondo State University at Ado‑Ekiti, which later became known as Ekiti State University after the creation of Ekiti State in 1996. He also facilitated the establishment of The Polytechnic, Owo, further expanding tertiary and technical education options in the state.
In the 1983 gubernatorial contest, Ajasin was re‑elected. The election was marked by political rivalries, including that between Ajasin and his former deputy, Omoboriowo, who defected to the rival party. Ajasin’s tenure ended abruptly on 31 December 1983 when a military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari overthrew the Second Republic.
Governance, Integrity and Public Service
Ajasin was widely respected for personal modesty and integrity. After his administration ended in 1983, he was commended for not enriching himself while in public office. Contemporary reports indicate he entered office with personal belongings and left with them unchanged, reflecting a reputation for ethical governance.
He allocated significant parts of the state budget to education, expanded the number of schools, promoted teacher housing schemes and supported student financing. These initiatives strengthened educational access and infrastructure throughout his tenure as governor.
Later Years and Civic Engagement
After the end of his governorship, Ajasin remained engaged in civic affairs, particularly in movements advocating for democratic governance during periods of military rule in Nigeria. Although he did not hold formal leadership of national coalitions like the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in widely recognised historical documentation, he was acknowledged by peers and family as an elder statesman who supported pro‑democracy efforts.
His contributions to public life extended through participation in civil society forums and advisory roles, reinforcing civic values and democratic ideals.
Legacy
Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin passed away on 3 October 1997 at the age of 88. In honour of his life and service, the Ondo State Government established Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba Akoko in 2000. The institution stands as a lasting memorial to his commitment to education and leadership.
His life journey from classroom instructor to governor symbolises a sustained dedication to public service, integrity and the belief that education is central to societal progress. Across Nigeria’s political history, Ajasin is remembered as a key educator‑politician whose influence helped shape state governance and education policy in the latter twentieth century.
Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin combined educational leadership with public service, advancing policies that expanded schooling and civic opportunity. His tenure as governor of Ondo State was marked by strong support for education and ethical governance, and his legacy endures through institutions that bear his name and through ongoing recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s political and educational development.
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Author’s Note
Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin remains an important figure in Nigerian history, celebrated for his educational advocacy, principled governance and contribution to democratic ideals. His enduring legacy reflects dedication to public service and the transformative power of education.
References
- About Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Ajasin Foundation.
- Our History, Owo High School Old Students Association.
- 20 years after, Nigerians extol Ajasin’s virtues, Guardian Nigeria.
