Her Excellency Erelu Angela Adebayo is a distinguished Nigerian leader whose life and work exemplify compassion, integrity, ethical stewardship, and a profound commitment to public service, responsible corporate governance, and transformative philanthropy. Over the past four decades, she has emerged as one of Africa’s most iconic tri-sector leaders, and most respected female figures, deeply admired for her humility, moral strength, and unwavering devotion to improving society.
Early Life and Education
Born on 23 September 1958, H.E. Erelu Angela Adebayo’s life reflects a rare combination of intellectual depth, strong values, and a deep-seated commitment to service. Her foundational education began at Queen’s College, Yaba. She later earned a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Social Sciences from the University of Ibadan in 1979. She furthered her academic pursuits, completing an MBA at the University of Lagos in 1982 and an MPhil in Land Economy at the University of Cambridge (Cantab.) in 1994. This comprehensive academic journey has profoundly shaped her disciplined, principled, and globally attuned leadership style.
Professional Career and Corporate Governance
Erelu Adebayo’s corporate career is rooted in accountability, transparency, and ethical governance. She began her professional journey at ICON Merchant Bank in 1982 as a Banking Officer, later transitioning successfully into real estate, capital markets, and corporate board leadership. In these diverse sectors, she earned a reputation for fairness, strategic clarity, and moral strength.
Her distinguished service includes key roles such as: Director at United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, the First Female Chairman of WEMABOD Estates Limited, Chairman of Afriland Properties Plc., Director Greenwich Trust Limited, Director Meyer Paints Plc, and Council Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (now NGX Group).
Furthermore, she serves as a Patron of the British-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce (BNCC).
Across all these roles, she has consistently championed ethical cultures, strengthened corporate governance frameworks, and ensured that institutions operate with transparency and respect for all stakeholders.
Public Service and National Contribution
Erelu Adebayo’s commitment to the nation was most prominently displayed during her tenure as First Lady of Ekiti State (1999–2003). This period remains a high point of ethical and compassionate public service, where she delivered impactful programmes focused on women’s health, child welfare, poverty alleviation, and community empowerment, always operating with a commitment to dignity and accountability.
Her key contributions include chairing the Ekiti State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) and instituting transparent welfare support for widows and vulnerable mothers. She also spearheaded Soup Kitchen Initiatives in both Ekiti and Lagos, providing essential food support for the poor, elderly, and displaced persons. Her approach during this period set a clear benchmark for compassionate leadership anchored firmly in integrity and service to humanity.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
Philanthropy is unequivocally at the heart of Erelu Adebayo’s identity, defining her as one of Nigeria’s most compassionate and ethical humanitarians. She has dedicated her life to uplifting the most vulnerable members of society. Her key philanthropic roles include serving as Chairman of the Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF), Founding Trustee at Greenwich Foundation, and as a Trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation. She is also the Founder of the Erelu Adebayo Foundation.
One of her most enduring and remarkable legacies is the Erelu Adebayo Children’s Home, Iyin-Ekiti, which she founded with the deep belief that every child deserves dignity, love, and opportunity. Over the years, the home has provided shelter, protection, and education to hundreds of children. Many of these children, once abandoned or orphaned, have grown into university graduates, professionals, entrepreneurs, and responsible members of society.
This remarkable outcome stands as a profound testament to her compassion, her insistence on dignity for every child, and her commitment to building lives, not merely offering charity.
Her extensive humanitarian work also encompasses scholarship programmes, medical outreach support, women’s empowerment initiatives, counselling and rehabilitation services for victims of abuse, and structured food-support networks in Lagos and Ekiti. Her entire humanitarian approach is defined by integrity, empathy, and long-term impact, establishing a model of philanthropy rooted in accountability and love for humanity.
Mentorship and Leadership Development
Erelu Adebayo is intentional about raising the next generation of ethical African leaders. She serves as a dedicated mentor to countless young African professionals across various fields including public administration, finance, international development, entrepreneurship, civil society, and academia. Her mentorship philosophy strongly emphasises integrity in leadership, service before self, empathy and compassion, accountability, and excellence. Many of her mentees credit her as a guiding force who opened doors, shaped their moral compass, and inspired them to lead with both humanity and courage.
International and Cultural Leadership
Through her extensive global networks, Erelu Adebayo actively works to strengthen Nigeria–international relations and promote ethical business practices. As Patron of the British-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, she vigorously supports bilateral collaboration rooted in fairness, responsible investment, and mutual respect.
In her cultural capacity, she holds the highly esteemed traditional titles of Erelu of Iyin-Ekiti, Aare Erelu of Ado-Ekiti, and Erelu-Owa of Awo-Ekiti.
These positions recognise her as a cultural matriarch, peacebuilder, custodian of Yoruba values, and a revered mother figure to her communities, with her leadership promoting unity, moral discipline, and cultural continuity.
Family Life
Erelu Adebayo is married to His Excellency Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former Governor of Ekiti State and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. Their marriage is blessed with three children.
Conclusion
Her Excellency Erelu Angela Adebayo stands today as an exemplar of compassionate, ethical, and principled leadership across the public sector, corporate boardrooms, and philanthropy. Her life’s work, which is defined by integrity, empathy, vision, and service, continues to uplift communities, strengthen institutions, and inspire the next generation of African leaders. Her enduring impact on children, women, families, institutions, and governance in Nigeria solidifies her position as one of the nation’s most respected and enduring pillars of moral and national leadership.
