By Toyin Falola
On July 21, 2024, I will have the honour of delivering a commencement speech at Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State. It is a privilege to write about the university’s founder, Dr Adedeji Adeleke, a man of many accomplishments. “Adeleke” is a revered name in Nigeria and beyond, exerting notable influence across diverse facets of Nigerian daily life, including politics, education, business, religion, and entertainment. If you are unfamiliar with Adeleke as a household name, you are probably missing out on insights into these vital aspects of Nigerian society.
Dr Adeleke was born in 1957 in Enugu, Nigeria, to a Muslim father, Senator Ayoola Adeleke and a Christian mother, Esther Adeleke, as the fourth among the six children of the couple. His father was a Nigerian senator, while his mother was a nurse. Dr Adeleke attended Ansar-ud-Deen Primary School in Lagos from 1965-1970, after which he gained admission into Seventh-Day Adventist Grammar School, Ede, Western Region, now Osun State, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1975. After briefly working at the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Dr Adeleke enrolled at Western Kentucky University (WKU) in 1976 where he earned a BSc in Business Administration/Finance in May 1979. He earned his MBA from WKU in 1981 and went on to complete a doctoral degree at Pacific Columbia University in 1983, and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Electricity Management and Regulation from the University of Phoenix in 2010.
The visionary billionaire from Osun State, by virtue of his family’s legacy of unwavering brightness and prestige, brings smiles to the faces of people who know him well. Despite his immense wealth and fame, Dr Adeleke is not known for arrogance, earning instant respect from everyone who meets him. He is an extraordinary man whose influence transcends material wealth, impacting lives through philanthropy and a commitment to upright living. With minimal media presence, his affluence exceeds imagination. Known for his quiet demeanour and profound humility, Dr Adeleke’s character is truly admirable and worthy of study.
A man with a vision of service to humanity, Dr Adeleke has made tremendous impacts through his non-profit and non-governmental organisation, the Springtime Development Foundation (SDF). Starting years ago, SDF was born out of his desire to improve the lives of many Nigerians through education. He is a lover of education.
In March 2011, he obtained the national license to operate Adeleke University in Osun State. Dr Adeleke’s philanthropy stands on par with his business acumen and his contribution toward establishing the best corporate models in Nigeria. Adeleke University serves as a beacon of his uninhibited interest in innovative principles, reflecting his desire to use his resources to make a significant impact and give others reasons to be happy.
Since it began operations in December 2011, Adeleke University has recorded numerous academic strides and achievements. The campus, which sits on 520 acres of land in Adeleke’s hometown of Ede, is one of the most beautiful privately owned university campuses in Nigeria. As a faith-based institution of higher learning, the university closely identifies with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its philosophy of Christian education, which includes features such as scholarship opportunities, flexible payment plans, entrepreneurial skill acquisition, high-quality teaching, research, and creative learning.
The vision of Adeleke University is grounded in excellence and high-quality teaching and research innovations in learning that compete on a global scale. The institution aims to empower disadvantaged communities and individuals by pursuing truth, preservation, advancement, and transmission of knowledge at a high level through general, professional, and vocational education designed to prepare people for dedicated service to humanity. At the heart of learning at the university is the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for students. The university equips them with the knowledge and tools for self-reliance, empowering them to contribute positively towards the economic development of their communities.
Through the SDF scholarship scheme, Adeleke University has awarded scholarships to many needy students within and outside Nigeria. In 2022, the university, through the SDF, provided free Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration for 40 disadvantaged students aspiring to study at a Nigerian tertiary institution. The fee payment scheme and flexible payment plans ensure affordability despite being a privately owned institution, which is a further testament to Dr Adeleke’s genuine philanthropy.
Embedded within the university is Adeleke University High School, where students are trained from scratch to achieve high educational standards, moral values, and discipline in alignment with the university’s set standards. The focus on training youths in various areas of life is clearly visible in the university’s setup.
Dr Adeleke is recognised as a successful businessman. He serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Adeleke University, CEO of Pacific Holdings Limited, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the SDF. His roles underscore his tremendous impact on youth development nationwide through education and vocational skills.
PS: Part 1 of 4 on Adeleke University
