Lucky Aiyedatiwa (12 January 1965, Age: 58 years old) is a Nigerian politician and businessman who serves as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, a position he has held since 2021. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in Nigeria. He is also the Acting Governor of Ondo State since 2023, following the death of his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Early Life and Education
Aiyedatiwa was born on 12 January 1965 in Ilaje, a coastal town in Ondo State. He is the fifth child of his parents, who were both farmers. He attended St. Paul’s Primary School and Ilaje High School, where he excelled in academics and sports.
He then proceeded to the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1989.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa Wiki/Bio
| Name | Lucky Aiyedatiwa |
| Date of Birth | 12 January 1965 |
| Place of Birth | Ilaje, Ondo State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Political Party | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
| Education | B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Liverpool, UK |
| Occupation | Politician, Engineer, Businessman |
| Office | Deputy Governor of Ondo State (2021–present), Acting Governor of Ondo State (2023–present) |
| Previous Office | None |
| Wife | Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa |
| Children | Four (two sons and two daughters) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Social Media | Instagram: luckyaiyedatiwa Twitter: LuckyAiyedatiwa Wikipedia: Lucky_Aiyedatiwa |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career in Engineering and Business
After graduating, he returned to Nigeria and worked as an engineer in various oil and gas companies, such as Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil. He rose through the ranks and became a senior manager, overseeing several projects and operations. He also ventured into entrepreneurship and established his own company, L.A. Engineering Limited, which provides engineering and consultancy services to the oil and gas sector.
Entry into Politics and Leadership Roles
Aiyedatiwa joined politics in 2015 when he contested for the House of Representatives seat for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency under the APC. He lost the election but remained active in the party. In 2020, he was chosen by Governor Akeredolu as his running mate for the Ondo State gubernatorial election. The duo won the election with 51.8% of the votes, defeating their closest rival, Eyitayo Jegede of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who got 44.8%.
As the Deputy Governor, Aiyedatiwa has been instrumental in implementing the policies and programs of the Akeredolu administration, which focus on improving the security, infrastructure, education, health, and agriculture of Ondo State. He has also been involved in promoting the interests of the oil-producing communities in the state, advocating for their fair share of the revenue and development. He has also been a strong supporter of regional integration and cooperation among the states in the South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
Aiyedatiwa became the Acting Governor of Ondo State on 23 December 2023, following the death of Governor Akeredolu, who succumbed to a long battle with cancer. He expressed his grief and condolences to the family and people of Ondo State and vowed to continue the legacy of his late boss. He also called for unity and peace among the political parties and stakeholders in the state and assured them of his commitment to the welfare and progress of Ondo State.
Controversies
Lucky Aiyedatiwa has faced some controversies in his political career, especially as the Deputy Governor and Acting Governor of Ondo State. Some of the controversies are:
- Impeachment threat: In September 2023, the Ondo State House of Assembly sent an allegation letter to Aiyedatiwa, accusing him of gross misconduct and threatening to impeach him. The allegations included abuse of office, misappropriation of funds, disloyalty to the Governor, and involvement in anti-party activities. Aiyedatiwa denied the allegations and described them as fabricated lies. He also accused some cabals in the government of trying to remove him from office and create a constitutional crisis in the state.
- Account freezing: In December 2023, Aiyedatiwa was accused of freezing the accounts of the 18 local governments in the state, allegedly to prevent them from paying salaries and executing projects. Aiyedatiwa denied the accusation and said he had no power to freeze any account. He also blamed some disgruntled elements in the government for spreading false information to tarnish his image and undermine his authority.
- Succession battle: Aiyedatiwa has been involved in a succession battle with some factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state, over who will succeed the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who died of cancer in December 2023. Aiyedatiwa, who became the Acting Governor following Akeredolu’s death, has expressed his interest to run for the governorship election in 2024. However, some APC leaders and members have opposed his ambition and preferred other candidates, such as the former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Tayo Alasoadura, and the former Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi. The succession battle has caused division and crisis within the APC in the state.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Aiyedatiwa is a wealthy businessman and politician, who has multiple sources of income. His net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, according to some online sources Some of his income sources are:
- Salary and allowances: As the Governor of Ondo State, Aiyedatiwa earns a monthly salary of N2.2 million, and an annual basic salary of N26.4 million, according to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). He also receives various allowances, such as hardship allowance, constituency allowance, furniture allowance, leave allowance, and vehicle maintenance allowance, among others.
- Oil and gas contracts: Aiyedatiwa is a former commissioner of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a federal agency that oversees the development of the oil-rich Niger Delta region. He was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 and served until 2019. During his tenure, he was involved in awarding and supervising several contracts for the construction of roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and other projects in the region. He also worked as an engineer and manager in various oil and gas companies, such as Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil, before establishing his own company, L.A. Engineering Limited, which provides engineering and consultancy services to the oil and gas sector.
Height and Weight
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 9″. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 75 kg. |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown. |
Parents and Siblings
Lucky Aiyedatiwa was born to the family of Mr. Titus Akande and Mrs. Rosanah Moyebi Aiyedatiwa, who are both of blessed memory. He is the fifth child of his parents, who were both farmers. He has four siblings, two brothers and two sisters, who are also successful in their respective fields.
Ethnicity, Religion, and Tribe
Lucky Aiyedatiwa is a Nigerian by nationality, and a Yoruba by ethnicity. He belongs to the Ilaje tribe, a sub-group of the Yoruba people, who inhabit the coastal areas of Ondo State and other parts of the Niger Delta region. He is a devout Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He is also a proud son of Obe-Nla, his hometown in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Akeredolu’s Death and Aiyedatiwa’s Swearing-in
- Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was the governor of Ondo State, Nigeria, from 2017 until his death on December 27, 2023. He was a senior lawyer, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, and former attorney general of Ondo State. He was also the chairman of the South West Governors Forum. He died of leukemia at the age of 65 in Germany, where he had been receiving treatment since June 2023.
- Lucky was the deputy governor of Ondo State from 2021 until 2023, under Akeredolu. He is a businessman and politician who was a former commissioner of the Niger Delta Development Commission. He was born on January 12, 1965, in Ilaje, Ondo State. He has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
- Aiyedatiwa became the acting governor of Ondo State on December 12, 2023, when Akeredolu transferred power to him before leaving for Germany. He had previously served as acting governor from June to September 2023, when Akeredolu was on medical leave. He was sworn in as the governor of Ondo State on December 27, 2023, hours after Akeredolu’s death was announced. He took the oath of office at the Government House in Akure, the state capital, in the presence of the chief judge of the state, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, and other dignitaries.
Marriage, Spouse & Kids
Aiyedatiwa is married to Oluwaseun, a lawyer and human rights activist. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. He is a devout Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. He enjoys reading, playing chess, and watching football. He is also a philanthropist and a mentor to many young people in his community.
Trivia
- He is the first Deputy Governor of Ondo State to become the Acting Governor, following the death of his predecessor.
- He is the first person from Ilaje, a coastal town in Ondo State, to hold the position of Deputy Governor or Acting Governor.
- Aiyedatiwa is a successful engineer and businessman, who has worked with several multinational oil and gas companies and owns his own company, L.A. Engineering Limited.
- Lucky is a sports enthusiast, who played football and basketball in his school days and supports Liverpool FC and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
- Lucky is social media savvy, and has accounts on Twitter and Instagram, where he shares his views and activities with his followers.
