By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Adewale Ojeleye, a grassroots mobiliser, media manager and business strategist from the Saala community in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State, is positioning himself as one of the emerging political figures to watch ahead of the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly race.
Seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Ifako-Ijaiye State Constituency I, Ojeleye enters the political space with a blend of community roots, professional experience and private sector exposure.
His aspiration reflects a growing demand among residents for younger, accessible and development-driven representation in the state legislature.
A native of Ifako-Ijaiye, Ojeleye began his educational journey at Sonmori Senior Comprehensive High School in Ifako before advancing to Lagos State Polytechnic, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration and Management.
He later strengthened his communication skills with a certificate in Proficiency in Photojournalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos.
That academic foundation shaped a career that first gained traction in the media industry. Over the years, he worked as a photojournalist with several respected organisations, including Daily Independent, The Niche, BusinessDay, Nigeria NewsDirect and The Premier Tabloid.
His years in journalism exposed him to governance, public policy, community issues and leadership accountability.
Those experiences helped to build the profile of a communicator with an understanding of how institutions function and how citizens respond to leadership.
In 2015, his professional path expanded when he was invited by the Lagos State Government to serve as a photojournalist on special projects. The role further deepened his relationship with public institutions and strategic communication.
Since then, Ojeleye has worked in media management and public relations, consulting for individuals, corporate interests and government agencies.
Supporters believe that experience gives him an advantage in stakeholder engagement, policy communication and constituency outreach.
Beyond media and politics, he is also an entrepreneur. He is the publisher of the online newspaper, seefinish.ng and manages private ventures, including Legends Lens Multi-Media Communications Ltd and Iya Oja Global Resources Limited.
Those close to his political project describe him as a candidate seeking to merge enterprise, media knowledge and grassroots mobilisation into public service. They argue that his background offers practical insight into youth empowerment, small business growth and local economic development.
His campaign message centres on fresh thinking, inclusive governance and stronger legislative representation for Ifako-Ijaiye. The ambition also taps into wider calls for a shift from entrenched political structures toward leadership that is more visible and community-focused.
As political activities gradually build toward 2027, Ojeleye’s emergence adds momentum to conversations about generational change within the APC in Lagos. In a constituency known for its political awareness and active voter base, his local identity and long-standing presence in the area may prove significant.
For many observers, his story is that of a homegrown professional attempting to translate years of experience in media, administration and business into a legislative platform rooted in service, accessibility and development.
