From Community to Chamber: Ayodeji Abdulahi Olaiya and the Making of a Legislative Contender in Osogbo

In the run-up to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, conversations about political renewal have intensified across the country. In Osun State, and particularly in Osogbo, the focus is increasingly on the quality of representation at the legislative level. Voters are no longer satisfied with symbolism or rhetoric; they are demanding lawmakers who combine competence, accessibility, and a deep understanding of local realities. It is within this context that the growing legislative ambition of Ayodeji Abdulahi Olaiya has drawn attention.

Across Osogbo, Olaiya widely known as Ayonic has emerged as part of a new political generation shaped as much by enterprise and community service as by party loyalty. His aspiration to represent Osogbo State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly in 2027 reflects a deliberate transition from private sector leadership and grassroots engagement into public legislative service. For many observers, it signals a broader shift towards issue-driven politics at the state level.

Ayonic’s public profile is defined by a record that cuts across youth advocacy, business leadership and philanthropy. These roles have placed him in close contact with the everyday concerns of residents —employment, education, healthcare and neighbourhood security. Rather than approaching politics as an abstract exercise, his legislative interest is rooted in these lived interactions, where policy failures are felt most sharply and practical solutions are urgently required.

His connection to Osogbo is both personal and historical. Olaiya is from Ile Eleyin Compound in Isale Osun, one of the city’s oldest quarters. He was raised in a household where civic engagement was a way of life. His parents, Azeez Muhammed Olaiya and Basirat Omolara Olaiya, instilled values of discipline and public responsibility that would later shape his leadership style.

Central to this upbringing was the political legacy of his father, popularly known as MAO of Ward 01, Osogbo Local Government. MAO was among the pioneer members of the Alliance for Democracy in Osun State and played an active role in sustaining progressive politics at the grassroots during Nigeria’s return to democracy. His commitment endured through political realignments until the emergence of the All Progressives Congress as the governing party in Osun in 2010. That history offers important context to Olaiya’s political orientation and his emphasis on continuity of progressive ideals.

Olaiya’s preparation for leadership is also evident in his academic trajectory. He began his education at Tinumola Nursery and Primary School in Amuloko, Osogbo, before proceeding to First Class International College, Dada Estate. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, where he developed a strong foundation in analytical thinking and systems design.

His pursuit of advanced knowledge took him beyond Nigeria’s borders to the University of Ulster in London. There, he obtained a Master’s degree in International Business with Data Analytics. This international exposure broadened his perspective on governance, economic planning, and the use of data in decision-making competencies increasingly relevant to effective lawmaking in a complex, modern society.

In the private sector, Olaiya has built a reputation as a disciplined entrepreneur. As Chairman of Ayonic Group of Companies, he oversees interests spanning oil and gas, real estate, and manufacturing. His manufacturing operations, which include the production of iron and roofing sheets, contribute to local supply chains and support infrastructure development within Osun State.

More significantly, his businesses have become platforms for job creation. By employing young people from Osogbo and surrounding communities, Olaiya has directly engaged with the challenge of youth unemployment. This experience has shaped his understanding of how legislation can either stimulate or stifle local enterprise an insight he considers central to his legislative ambition.

Within party politics, Olaiya is an active member of the All Progressives Congress. He has participated in several electoral campaigns, particularly in youth mobilisation efforts. His involvement in the campaigns of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Hon. Olubukola Oyewo provided him with practical exposure to grassroots political organisation and voter engagement.

Outside partisan activity, his community interventions have reinforced his public standing. Olaiya has supported access to education through the provision of learning materials and sponsorship of JAMB forms. He has facilitated medical outreach for elderly residents and supported empowerment programmes aimed at improving livelihoods. These initiatives have been structured, targeted, and sustained, rather than episodic gestures.

One intervention that continues to resonate locally is the installation of fifteen solar-powered streetlights on Winjobi Street in Isale Osun. The project addressed a long-standing security concern and improved night-time visibility in the area. It stands as a practical illustration of his approach to leadership; identifying specific problems and delivering measurable solutions.

As Olaiya positions himself for the Osogbo State Constituency seat in the Osun State House of Assembly, his ambition appears grounded in preparation rather than haste. He presents himself as a bridge between generations: rooted in the progressive traditions of the past, yet equipped with the skills and outlook required for contemporary governance.

In a political environment where public confidence in institutions is fragile, his emergence offers Osogbo voters a case study in how private initiative, community service, and political organisation can converge into legislative readiness. Whether or not the electorate ultimately entrusts him with the mandate, Ayodeji Abdulahi Olaiya’s journey underscores a critical shift in Nigerian subnational politics; the steady rise of candidates whose credibility is built long before they seek office, and whose ambitions are measured by service rather than spectacle.