Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan: The Man, The Strides

During a specific season of life, humanity experiences the birthing of certain people who have been marked to carry out specific assignments on behalf of specific states and communities. Ondo State and Nigeria once had those people. Many of them are late; but they are men we still celebrate up till today for what they left behind as vestiges from their strides.

In Ondo State, there was Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin, the first civilian Governor of the state, an erudite and visionary personality; who carried his people and their well-being on his shoulder for a very long time. He was an enigma in the state. He also pulled his weight with fortitude and strength among his people and Nigeria at large; emboldened his footprints on the interlock of Ondo State’s history.

Taking cue from this is Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan, commonly known as Dr. Nat, the newly appointed federal Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission. Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan is representing Ondo State among the 21 Nigerians recently appointed as federal commissioners of RMAFC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Courts of England and Wales with higher rights of audience. He serves as the managing partner of NatAdo Solicitors in London, UK.

Hailing from Arigidi-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government in Ondo State, Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan is a grassroots politician and a bawling voice in the wilderness of Ondo State and Nigerian politics, and a phat phenomenon. A man just like you and I; but a being with a different swing in a realm unspeakable; moving, shaking, and shaping men, politics, policies and polity in Ondo State and Nigeria at large.

The 2023 Presidential election had lot of intrigues, which was quite new to the political theatre of our nation. However, the joint efforts of Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan and other political leaders in Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency in Ondo state made the impact in the election. By the records of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency, where Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan hailing from, gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the largest percentage margin win from any constituency in Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu won in this constituency with about 90 percent, which contributed largely to the victory of the President in Ondo State at the Presidential election. In this regard, one cannot but commend Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan’s contribution whose continuous hardwork and love for the people of Ondo State have become a leading example for the Nation’s political leaders.

Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan is one fellow who has benefitted from a background so rich in positive virtues. He is a direct son of Chief Magistrate Durojaye Adojutelegan and Chief (Mrs) Adedolapo Adojutelegan of Arigidi-Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Meeting him for the first time establishes his urbane nature; an amiable personality, truly at peace with himself. A brief conversation with him will confirm that his radiance is indeed deep and sufficiently complemented with brain and brawn. He works with a gait that speaks not of arrogance but of confidence.

Since his foray into politics, Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan, the highly successful internationally acclaimed legal practitioner, has never looked back in his avowed commitment to utilizing his opportunity to be in public office to better the lots of the people of Ondo State.

His foray into politics did not come by chance. Adojutelegan was the Legal Adviser, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), United Kingdom Chapter, and Interim Legal Adviser, All Progressive Congress (APC), United Kingdom Chapter, until December 2013. He contested the All Progressive Congress 2014 primary for the Senate of Ondo North Senatorial District but came third out of the five contestants. Adojutelegan was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs from December 2015 to March 2017.

He held the position of Patron and member of the Board of Trustees for the APC National Integrity Group, and was a prominent member of the Grassroots Independent Campaign Council for the 2023 presidential election.

Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan attended St. Johns Mary Primary School, Owo, St. Patrick Primary School, Owo, and Government School, Owo from 1971 to 1976 for his primary education. He then pursued his secondary education at Christ School, Ado-Ekiti from 1976 to 1981. In 1987, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Benin.

During his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1987/88 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, he held the position of Corps Liaison Officer and Chairman of the Ogun State Corps Liaison Officers.

Subsequently, he furthered his studies in the United Kingdom, obtaining an Intermediate Laws qualification from the University of London, a Bachelor of Law (LLB), and a Master of Law (LLM) from the University of Wolverhampton in 1995 and 1996 respectively. In 1997, he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Guildhall University. His academic pursuits culminated in a doctorate degree (Ph.D) in Law and Policy from Walden University in the U.S.A.

Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan is a likeable character who shows deep interest in the development of his community and Nigeria in general. He is an empathetic leader who is interested in the well-being of the people and always willing to help others.

A visionary, charismatic and philanthropic leader, he singlehandedly completed several community projects, which include construction of boreholes, financial empowerment of market women, students sponsorships and scholarships, among others.

Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan is an unrepentant giver and a kind-hearted man who has positively influenced the lives of many Nigerians both home and abroad. This perhaps informed the decision of the traditional ruler of Ekinrin Ade to confer on him the traditional chieftaincy title of Otunba Atayese of Ekinrin in 2006.