By: Adebayo Justus
In the fluid theatre of public leadership, where many merely occupy space; it is rare to find a figure whose very entry into an office transforms it into a nerve centre of purpose and precision. The paradox of governance, especially in our clime, is how power often resists purpose. Yet, in Ogun State, one woman stands distinct: bridging vision with verve, empathy with execution, and policy with passion. Hon. Adijat Adeleye is not merely a public officer; she is a determined force, quietly reshaping the boundaries of public service, and in doing so, redefining what it truly means to serve. Those who doubted her re-appointment to the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in a bigger role by Governor Dapo Abiodun in 2023 must now be chewing their doubts. Her bold, visible strides over the past twenty months have left an indelible mark on the social architecture of the State.
Let it be said with clarity and humility, her journey to this pivotal role was not merely the product of ambition, but the unfolding of divine orchestration, unwavering commitment, and consistent service. With over two decades of experience rooted in the Local Government System of the cosmopolitan Ifo Local Government, two term-tenures in the State House of Assembly, and notable roles as aide to a former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and later as Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun; ardent Adeleye’s ascent was marked not by chance, but by purpose. Her path reflects a steady walk of faith, guided by providence and powered by a deep understanding of policy and grassroots governance. In her first appointment as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, she served with grace to round off the first term with Governor Abiodun. Yet, it was in the second term, under the renewed Building Our Future Together agenda, that destiny took a meaningful turn. Redeployed to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, where she had once served as a Special Adviser, Adeleye stepped into familiar terrain with fresh vision. And it was here that the weight of responsibility met the wisdom of experience, and the true work began.
Indeed, kudos must go to Governor Abiodun, not only for spotting her rare blend of competence and courage, but for backing her with the political will and institutional support required to translate vision into visible victories. It is one thing to appoint a woman into a critical portfolio; it is quite another to furnish her with the tools to advance women’s protection, child welfare, gender equity, and social justice. In Adeleye’s case, that alignment has been seamless. What’s more? Her ability to earn the support and confidence of fellow political appointees has translated into inter-ministerial synergy that constantly amplifies the reach of policies and strategies. More impressively, she has secured strong partnerships across the Legislative and Judicial arms of government, traditional rulers, media actors, the security agencies, and civil society organizations and implementing partners, all of whom now serve as critical stakeholders and change agents in her mission to reshape lives and reorient society.
Take the expansion of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across the State. Within record time, three new SARCs have been put in place in Yewa, Ijebu-Ode, and Abeokuta, ensuring that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence can access free, holistic care within the critical 72-hour window. They are not just buildings. They are monuments of dignity, hope, and justice structurally embedded into the State’s emergency response infrastructure. Even more strategic has been the establishment of four new Government shelters across the State’s geo-political zones, secure sanctuaries where abused women and children can find refuge, receive therapy, and restart their lives. The initiative dovetailed with the operationalization of toll-free GBV helplines, notably 08000000666 for the Headquaters, now being operation in Sagamu (08000000555), Ilaro (08000000777), Ijebu-Ode (08000000888), and Abeokuta (08000000999). They aren’t just call lines, they are lifelines setting the gold standard for victim-centered governance.
Then came a bold and defining move: the State Government clampdown on substandard orphanage homes. In August 2024, the Ministry revoked the provisional licenses of facilities that flouted minimum standards. At a decisive meeting at the Ministry’s Oke-, Adeleye in company of the justice-minded “Perm Sec” minced no words: “Operating an orphanage is not a commercial venture. It is a humanitarian commitment.” With that, a comprehensive audit was rolled out, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to child exploitation. Even fully licensed homes were warned: shape up or shut down! But this wasn’t just policy, it was innovation. Besides, Adeleye supported the development of Bleble, codenamed “ibi isadi”, a custom-built digital monitoring software designed in collaboration with Both Ends Behaving (BEB) and supported by the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL). Bleble, tracks the status and movement of children in homes, enabling real-time accountability and government oversight. It is a 21st-century governance tool, digital governance for vulnerable lives. Still, her passion is not confined to offices or apps. Adeleye remains a grassroots general. Her Ministry continues to partner with NGOs, CSOs, and international development organizations in carrying out community outreach on issues like healthcare, child development, girl-child education, and economic empowerment.
With the robust support of the State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), the Ministry has established two new Women Training Centres, not just as infrastructural additions, but as true empowerment hubs, which go far beyond the conventional scope of vocational training. They are designed with an understanding of contemporary enterprise demands, equipping women with skills not only in hairdressing, catering, and fashion design, but in emerging techniques, digital tools, and entrepreneurial strategies that reflect the realities of today’s marketplace. From leveraging social media for business visibility to adopting tech-driven customer engagement models, the training is geared towards aligning with current trends in commerce and innovation. With vigour, the centres are shaping women who don’t just survive, but thrive in competitive business environments. It is not charity, it is strategic, future-proof capacity building aimed at economic independence and long-term protection from poverty and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
One of the most defining moment of the ministry under the zealous Adeleye came during the twilight of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP), just as the State keeps hosting high-level study tours from no fewer than nine other States including Delta, Ekiti, Kogi, Nasarawa, Yobe, Kebbi, Bayelsa, Adamawa, and Ebonyi. The delegations came to understudy what had become a benchmark in sustainable women empowerment. At the heart of this success story is the quiet diligence and tactical brilliance of the State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Bolanle Fadairo, whose consistent knack for translating policy into people-centered outcomes cannot go uncelebrated. She matched speech with action, and vision with execution. The essence of the NFWP training was not only to teach vocational skills but to build enduring mindsets and cultivate resilient attitudes, arming women with the knowledge, tenacity, and business acumen required to thrive in a competitive world. It has been a moment of institutional pride, showing that the empowerment model built in Ogun is not only working, it is replicable and export-worthy.
Beyond brick-and-mortar, Adeleye is also embracing digital transformation. A soon-to-be-launched mobile app will allow for easy and secure GBV reporting, integrated directly with security and social services. As she noted during a recent stakeholders’ forum: “We are excited about its potential to remove barriers to justice and speed up intervention. Technology must work for the vulnerable.” What sets Adeleye apart is her rare blend of policy rigor and street-level sensitivity. She is a technocrat, yes, but also a mobilizer. She regularly hits the streets, from market stalls to Palaces, listening to concerns, rallying support, and sparking change. One memorable example was the inter-ministerial outreach in Ijebu-Ode, promoting the Ogun Girls TVET Scholarship Scheme. The mission was clear: enrol 1,000 girls in technical colleges and equip them with tools for economic freedom.
Within the Ministry, she approaches leadership not with a sense of entitlement, but with a deep sense of stewardship. Guided by a faithful commitment to results and inspired by a calling to serve with integrity, she quietly led a comprehensive internal audit of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) referral pathways. Her aim was simple yet profound, to ensure faster response protocols, deepen inter-agency cooperation, and broaden stakeholder inclusion. Never one to embrace complacency, Adeleye embodies a thoughtful firmness that inspires diligence. She listens, but also expects readiness. Whether you’re a civil servant or a development partner, working with her means stepping up, not out of pressure, but out of shared purpose. Her style may not shout, but it speaks volumes: think clearly, serve boldly, and remain accountable. Beyond policy, Adeleye has become a rallying voice for legislative reforms, persistently advocating for stiffer penalties for GBV offenders, while championing child safeguarding frameworks across communities. A visiting retired Permanent Secretary once quipped, “This Ministry is fast becoming a gateway to the correctional centre for anyone who abuses a child, woman, or even a man!”
In today’s digital age, Adeleye has mastered the art of merging traditional governance with sharp online engagement. Her office swiftly picks up signals from social commentators and whistleblower posts, turning real-time alerts into immediate action. The savvy blending of offline leadership with online responsiveness adds yet another powerful layer to her multi-faceted reform engine, proving that true governance no longer just happens behind closed doors, but also across digital platforms where the people’s voices resonate loudest.
Today, on the occasion of her birthday, we do not merely light candles, we illuminate the legacy of a woman who adds values, dotting the lines of excellence in the public service for bold transformation. In the often-sluggish theatre of governance, where progress can be painfully slow; Adeleye fits not as a passive actor, but as a fearless scriptwriter, one who pens policy with the precision of a surgeon and the passion of a reformer. Her every step in office is a statement, her every initiative a page in the evolving story of justice and equity. She is not just a commissioner, she is a quiet force of reckoning. A crusader in heels whose grace walks hand in hand with grit. From dawn to dusk, she reshapes what is possible, drafts reforms with tireless conviction, and transforms stubborn roadblocks into solid stepping stones.
Today, we celebrate not just her years, but her impact. Not just her name, but her narrative, a story that keeps unfolding with purpose, courage, and undimmed resolve. Our dearest “Haddy”, here is to more miles, more milestones, and the unwavering momentum of a woman who continues to walk ahead prayerfully, purposefully and powerfully.
Adebayo Justus writes from NeoNest Inc., Abeokuta
