By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
For Barrister Ajala Ganiyu Olawale, politics is not a recent calling but a lifelong engagement shaped by years of grassroots mobilisation, public service and professional discipline, reports thegazellenews.com
Now seeking election into the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) to represent Ikeja State Constituency II on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the legal practitioner and political organiser is positioning himself as a candidate grounded in experience and community connection.
Born over five decades ago in Ebute Metta, within Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Ajala hails from Gbagura in Abeokuta North Local Government Area. His upbringing in Lagos, combined with his ancestral roots in Ogun State, has influenced his political outlook and engagement across communities in Ikeja and beyond.
He began his academic journey in Lagos before gaining admission into the University of Ilorin in 1990, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Second Class Upper Division in 1995. Following his graduation, he undertook his National Youth Service Corps with the 1st Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna, an experience that exposed him to structured public service early in life.
Driven by a commitment to continuous learning, Ajala obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration in 1998. Years later, he pursued a legal career, earning an LL.B from Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2016 before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, where he was called to the Bar in 2017. He subsequently earned a Master of Laws degree in 2022 and is currently pursuing a PhD in Constitutional Law.
Professionally, Ajala has built a diverse career spanning legal practice, consultancy and public administration. He has worked with several organisations, including World Courier Nigeria Ltd, Benaf General Services Ltd, and law firms such as Ibikunle Amosun & Co., Wole Olanipekun & Co., and Salako Adewale & Co. He currently serves as the Principal Partner of Abd’ Ghaniy Wale Ajala & Co., a legal and property consultancy firm based in Ikeja.
His public service record includes roles as Chairman of the Revenue Committee in Ojodu LCDA, External Solicitor on revenue recovery for Ikeja Local Government, and Special Adviser on Youth and Sports Development to Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke during his tenure as Chairman of Ojodu LCDA. He also served as Senior Legislative Aide to former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, further deepening his legislative exposure.
Ajala’s political journey dates back to the early 1990s when he served as a youth coordinator for the “Hope 93” presidential campaign of MKO Abiola. Over the years, he has held several party positions across different political platforms, including the Democratic Party of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party, before joining the Action Congress, which later evolved into the APC.
Within the APC, he has served as Financial Secretary and Legal Adviser in Ojodu LCDA and currently holds the position of Organising Secretary. His campaign credentials include serving as coordinator for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola’s Lagos West senatorial bid, membership of key screening committees, participation in the Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 elections, and Director-General of the Ojodu LCDA Local Government Election Campaign in 2025.
Beyond politics, Ajala has maintained longstanding ties with the media and student activism. As an undergraduate, he was actively involved with the Fire Point Press Club at the University of Ilorin, rising from reporter to senior reporter.
He also held leadership roles in student organisations and was recognised as a distinguished image maker by campus journalists.
Supporters describe him as a grassroots politician with a strong record of community engagement and philanthropy across Ikeja Federal Constituency.
His advocacy, they say, reflects an understanding that representation must translate into tangible outcomes for constituents.
Speaking on his ambition, Ajala has consistently emphasised the need for “practical, measurable and people-driven development,” arguing that legislative responsibility goes beyond holding office to delivering visible impact.
Married with three children, the APC aspirant presents himself as a blend of legal expertise, political experience and community-focused leadership, as he seeks to represent Ikeja Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
