Adams Oshiomhole is a prominent Nigerian politician and labor leader who has made significant contributions to the country’s political landscape. Renowned for his robust personality and unwavering dedication to public service, Oshiomhole’s journey from a humble background to becoming an influential figure in Nigerian politics is nothing short of inspiring.
He first gained national recognition as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), where he championed the rights of workers and advocated for better working conditions. His tenure at the NLC marked the beginning of his reputation as a fearless and vocal advocate for the underprivileged.
Oshiomhole’s transition from labor activism to politics was seamless, demonstrating his adaptability and commitment to effecting change. He served two terms as the Governor of Edo State, where his administration was noted for its emphasis on infrastructural development, education, and healthcare reforms.
“The resolve to address the needs of the masses has always been my guiding principle,” said Oshiomhole in one of his speeches.
- Advocate for workers’ rights during his time at the NLC.
- Elected as Governor of Edo State, serving two terms.
- Noted for significant infrastructural and social reforms.
Oshiomhole’s influence extends beyond governance; he has also played crucial roles in his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), where his leadership helped navigate critical political challenges. Whether you are keen on political strategies or labor movements, Adams Oshiomhole’s career offers valuable insights into resilient and visionary leadership.
Biography
Oshiomhole was born Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole on April 4, 1952, in Itamoh, a small community near Auchi in Edo State. He grew up in a Muslim family but later converted to Christianity, influenced by his late wife Clara.
After completing his secondary education, Oshiomhole embarked on his career with the Arewa Textiles Company, where he was elected Union Secretary. Working in the industry’s design section, he witnessed significant misdeeds by the management. Workers were paid poorly and faced a harsh, authoritarian disciplinary regime that offered little chance for fair treatment.
At that time, union leaders were largely ineffective and timid, which fueled Oshiomhole’s desire for strong, effective leadership. In 1971, a spontaneous uprising gave him the opportunity to prove his capabilities as a union leader, and by 1975, he had become a full-time trade union organizer.
To further his education, Adams Oshiomhole traveled to the United Kingdom where he majored in economics and industrial relations at Ruskin College, Oxford. At the end of the demanding and rigorous multi-disciplinary programme at Ruskin College, Adams emerged as the Best Foreign Student. Higher education equipped him with enhanced theoretical and intellectual acumen
He furthered his education at the renowned National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, and the Kennedy School of Government at Howard University.
In 1982, Adams Oshiomhole was appointed the General Secretary/Chief Executive of the National Union of Textile and Garment Workers of Nigeria. It was clear that a remarkable leader was in place. His exceptional skills greatly transformed the union, leading to well-managed operations and substantial investments in real estate. Under his guidance, the union generated a cash reserve surpassing that of many state governments.
It didn’t take long for Oshiomhole to become a key figure in the politics of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC). His first significant role was being elected as the deputy president of the NLC in 1988. Despite the NLC being dissolved by the military government in 1995, it was reinstated with the return of democracy in 1999.
Adams Oshiomhole then became the president of the newly revived NLC on January 28, 1999. His tenure as a labor leader was marked by critical contributions. He successfully negotiated a 25% wage increase for public sector workers during the early administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Oshiomhole is perhaps best known for leading a nationwide strike against high oil prices in Nigeria. He fiercely opposed the pump price increases implemented by President Obasanjo, organizing strikes and demonstrations to demand their reversal. He faced considerable persecution for his activism during the fuel crisis. Allegations in October 2009 suggested that he was forcibly abducted by the State Security Services during a protest, though the government claimed he went into voluntary custody.
Adams Oshiomhole is renowned for cultivating a culture of radical and critical citizenship where leaders could be held accountable by their followers. This activism naturally propelled him into politics. In 2007, he ran for Governor of Edo State. Though initially declared the loser to the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Oserheimen Osunbor, Oshiomhole and his party, Action Congress (AC), contested the results, citing electoral rigging.
On March 20, 2008, the Edo State election tribunal annulled Osunbor’s victory and declared Oshiomhole the rightful winner. He was sworn in as governor on November 11, 2008, following the affirmation by a federal Appeal Court in Benin City. Oshiomhole subsequently won a second term in 2012.
Adams Oshiomhole Wife, Marriage
Adams Oshiomhole was first married to late Clara Oshiomhole who died of breast cancer in 2010 at the age 54. The couple has five children together. Five years after her death, Oshiomole tied the knot with Lara Fortes, a Cape Verdian model on May 15, 2015. The marriage became a source of many controversies and was famously tagged ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
Net Worth, House
It is unclear what exactly Adams Oshiomhole’s net worth is. But with him having held various positions in and outside the country, as well as having been state governor for two terms, his net worth can be estimated to be in billions of naira. He most notably owns a number of luxury properties which reportedly include a private jet and a yacht.
