Yemi Osinbajo

Early Life and Background

Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo was born on March 8, 1957, at Creek Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, to Mr. Thomas Osinbajo and Mrs. Olubisi Osinbajo. He originates from Ikenne, Ogun State, a southwestern Nigerian state known for its rich cultural heritage. His early life was marked by a strong emphasis on education and moral values, fostering an early display of academic promise and a keen interest in public service. This upbringing, coupled with the socio-political context of his formative years, instilled principles of intellectual curiosity and a commitment to justice, which guided his career in law and politics.

Education

Osinbajo's academic journey commenced at Staff Primary School, Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, where he received his primary education. He then attended Igbobi College for his secondary education from 1969 to 1975, where he excelled. Subsequently, he pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at the University of Lagos, Akoka, graduating in 1978 with Upper Second Class Honours. In 1979, he was called to the Nigerian Bar after completing his studies at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. Furthering his legal scholarship, he obtained a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom, in 1980. This extensive and rigorous academic background provided a robust foundation for his distinguished career in academia and law.

Career

Yemi Osinbajo began his professional career with his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria from 1979 to 1980, offering legal assistance to indigent citizens. In 1981, he joined the Department of Public Law at the University of Lagos as a lecturer, rapidly advancing to Senior Lecturer in 1988. By 1990, at the relatively young age of 33, he was appointed a Professor of Law, becoming one of Nigeria's youngest professors. During his academic tenure, he taught various courses including Law of Evidence, Criminal Law, and Constitutional Law, also serving as an advisor to the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola, from 1988 to 1992.

His public service career gained significant momentum with his appointment as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, under the administration of Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In this role, he spearheaded major judicial and legal reforms, including establishing the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, the Directorate for Citizens' Rights, and introducing justice sector improvements that significantly enhanced access to justice for the state's residents. After his Lagos State tenure, he returned to the private sector, co-founding SimmonsCooper Partners, a prominent commercial law firm, where he served as a Senior Partner from 2007 until 2015. He also maintained academic ties, serving as a Senior Fellow in Law at Lagos State University and as an Ethics Advisor to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

A pivotal point in his career arrived in December 2014, when he was selected as the vice-presidential candidate for the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC), running alongside presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari. Following their victory in the March 2015 general elections, Osinbajo was inaugurated as the Vice President of Nigeria on May 29, 2015. He was successfully re-elected for a second term with President Buhari in the 2019 general elections, serving until May 29, 2023. As Vice President, he chaired the National Economic Council (NEC), a statutory body responsible for advising the President on economic affairs, and oversaw the implementation of the Federal Government's Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), a flagship initiative for poverty alleviation and youth empowerment.

Major Achievements

Yemi Osinbajo's career is marked by numerous significant achievements. As Attorney General of Lagos State, he initiated comprehensive judicial reforms, establishing the Directorate for Citizens' Rights and the Office of the Public Defender, which provided free legal services to indigent citizens. He also introduced the Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) system for judicial recruitment, promoting meritocracy, and implemented reforms that decongested prisons and accelerated justice administration, transforming Lagos State's justice system into a national model.

As Vice President, his impact was far-reaching. He played a crucial role in the Buhari administration's economic policy formulation and implementation, particularly through his leadership of the National Economic Council. He was instrumental in conceptualizing and executing the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), which included the N-Power Programme (providing jobs for unemployed graduates), the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP, providing free meals to primary school children), the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme (providing stipends to the poorest households), and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP, providing micro-credit). These programs significantly impacted millions of Nigerians, aiming to reduce poverty and stimulate local economies.

Osinbajo also drove the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), implementing reforms to improve Nigeria's ranking in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index. Under his leadership, Nigeria saw substantial improvements, attracting foreign direct investment and fostering a more conducive business environment. He frequently served as Acting President during President Buhari's medical leaves, demonstrating decisive leadership, such as the dismissal of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2018, underscoring his commitment to due process and national security. His intellectual contributions to law, governance, and economic policy have left an indelible mark on Nigeria's public sector.

Personal Life

Yemi Osinbajo is married to Oludolapo Osinbajo (née Soyode), a granddaughter of the revered Nigerian nationalist and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. They have three children: two daughters, Damilola and Kanyinsola, and a son, Fiyinfoluwa. Osinbajo is an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), one of the largest Pentecostal denominations globally, where he previously served as the Pastor in charge of Province 48, Ikoyi, Lagos. His strong Christian faith significantly influences his personal life and public service ethos. He is known for his calm demeanor, intellectual depth, and commitment to ethical leadership, qualities often attributed to his spiritual convictions and academic background. His wife, Dolapo Osinbajo, has also been actively involved in various social and philanthropic initiatives, particularly those focused on women and children.

Legacy

Yemi Osinbajo's legacy is multifaceted, encompassing legal reform, academic excellence, and impactful public service. As a legal scholar, he made significant contributions to Nigerian jurisprudence, particularly in public law, evidence, and human rights. His work as Attorney General of Lagos State established benchmarks for an efficient and accessible justice system, which became a model for other states. As Vice President, he is remembered for his intellectual leadership, his unwavering commitment to the Social Investment Programmes which directly impacted millions of vulnerable Nigerians, and his diligent efforts to improve the ease of doing business, aiming to diversify Nigeria's economy and attract investment. His ability to act as a steady hand during periods of presidential absence demonstrated his capacity for executive leadership and crisis management. Osinbajo represents a blend of intellectual rigor, moral uprightness, and practical governance, positioning him as a significant figure in Nigeria's contemporary political landscape. His influence is expected to continue through his advocacy for good governance, economic development, and social justice, further cementing his place as one of Nigeria's notable leaders.