B. AYILOGE

Mr. BANJI AYILOGE

PANELIST

Mr. Banji Ayiloge was a senior reporter in Nigeria before traveling abroad for further studies. He traveled abroad to find out what and why the developed countries are able to develop but African countries, particularly Nigeria with sizeable resources have been unable to develop. After all, development models abound all over the world.

He eventually obtained a professional degree in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University in New York. In Yoruba, my Master’s degree translates to – Eko ninu Oselu pelu Idagbasoke oro aje orilede. He studied the issues of development and the special connection between policy and political decisions.

Upon graduation, He worked successfully both in the private sector and also as a civil servant in New York before returning home in early 2002 to run for office. In that same year, Chief Adefarati appointed him to his cabinet as the State Commissioner for Information based on the recommendation of the party.

He had remained in Nigeria since then but occasionally travels abroad to tend to his businesses and be with family. During those years, he traversed the state and was a regularly featured commentator on Ondo Radio and Televisions (TV) on political and developmental issues. Also, he remained in the troubled AD party until 2010 even when others moved on to other parties.

Having concluded that reduction of corruption may help the country, In 2010, he became the pioneering Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Ondo State and represented the Southwest in pushing CPC to merge with other regional parties of ACN, APGA and so on. In fact, it was not until Buhari lost the presidential election in 2011 that he refocused his attention on having a credible leader that could transform Ondo state to run for governor.