As Comrade Tayo Aderinola prepares to celebrate his 55th birthday on June 1, 2026, the Honourable Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services, Ikeja Local Government Council, has reflected on a life journey defined by grassroots mobilization, political loyalty, youth development, media engagement, creative excellence, and unwavering dedication to progressive ideals.
In a reflective statement released ahead of the milestone celebration, Aderinola expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God for His grace, preservation, and guidance throughout the various stages of his personal life and public service career.
According to him, attaining the age of 55 represents not only a personal milestone but also nearly three decades of active participation in grassroots politics and community development.
“This journey has been one of sacrifice, service, loyalty, growth, and commitment to the progressive movement and the people,” he stated.
Aderinola also reflected emotionally on the painful loss of his beloved mother, who passed away on June 25, 2001, describing her as a major source of inspiration whose prayers, values, and guidance continue to shape his life and decisions.
Tracing his political journey, the seasoned grassroots mobilizer recalled that he began active politics in 1998 as the Ward Publicity Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Ikeja Ward E, before later serving as Ward Secretary under the Action Congress (AC).
He noted that the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State in 2003 by the then Governor of Lagos State and current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expanded opportunities for grassroots participation and strengthened the progressive political structure across the state.
In 2007, under the leadership of the late Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Aderinola was appointed Ward Chairman — a responsibility he described as a turning point in his political career and commitment to the growth of the progressive family.
Drawing from his background in student activism and comradeship, he explained that his political philosophy has consistently focused on youth engagement, community inclusion, strategic mobilization, and people-oriented participation.
Through sustained grassroots coordination and collective commitment, his ward emerged as one of the most successful political structures within Ikeja Federal Constituency, recording overwhelming victories in three general elections and three local government elections while consistently producing some of the highest polling unit and ward votes across the 18 wards in the constituency.
He further disclosed that he became one of the pioneer Ward Chairmen during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, a position he held until 2018 before subsequently serving two terms as Publicity Secretary of APC Ikeja Local Government.
Beyond politics, Aderinola has also distinguished himself in media practice, having built a reputable career across radio, television, and print journalism. His media platforms included Ikeja Teleview, Ikeja Updates, Ikeja Panorama, and Lagos Panorama.
According to him, the media profession significantly enhanced his communication skills, public engagement capacity, and grassroots information management strategy.
Recognizing sports as a powerful tool for youth empowerment and social development, Aderinola initiated several football competitions, including the popular Ikeja Soccer Challenge, designed to identify and nurture young talents across communities in Ikeja.
The initiative later produced the Ikeja All Stars Football Club, which went on to win the first and only National 5-Aside Football League in 2018.
Among notable talents discovered through the initiative were former Golden Eaglets goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu, who later emerged as the World’s Best Goalkeeper at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2013, as well as current Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen.
He also highlighted the contributions of several youths who participated in the initiative and later became influential public figures, including the current Leader of the Ikeja Legislative Council, Hon. Rasheed Ogunleye, who served as an assistant coach with the junior football team, Awolowo Way Football Academy, and the current Majority Leader of the Council, Hon. Ganiyu Lawal, who featured for Ikeja All Stars Football Club.
Aderinola noted that the success of the sports initiative earned him the position of Assistant Director of Sports for the BOS/KOH Independent Campaign Group, where he further initiated the BOS Lagos Community Soccer Challenge — a large-scale grassroots football competition involving over 400 teams and more than 5,000 players across the five divisions of Lagos State.
Although he was later promised membership of the Lagos State Sports Commission, he revealed that the promise was not fulfilled. Nevertheless, he was eventually appointed as a member of the Lagos Deaf Sports Association.
Beyond politics, media practice, sports development and grassroots mobilization, Aderinola is also a versatile theatre actor, director, producer, and playwright whose contributions to the creative industry have earned academic and institutional recognition.
One of his most notable literary works, IYALOJA — a dramatic text on the life and times of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji — was authored and published by him and subsequently reviewed and approved by the Curriculum Department of the Lagos State Ministry of Education for use by Junior Secondary School 3 students, including preparation for the Junior WAEC examination.
The play text also gained recognition within academic circles as IYALOJA was adopted by the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Lagos, Akoka, as a study text for 300-level and final-year students, further underscoring Aderinola’s impact in both the literary and performing arts sectors.
The grassroots politician also reflected on his aspiration to contest for the Chairmanship position of Ikeja Local Government Council, noting that his experiences as a politician, media practitioner, community mobilizer, theatre arts practitioner, and President of the National Association of Community Media Practitioners of Nigeria inspired his desire to contribute more directly to governance and sustainable grassroots development.
However, he stated that in the interest of party unity and respect for leadership decisions, he aligned fully with the emergence of Hon. Akeem Dauda as Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Council.
Today, Aderinola serves as the Honourable Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services under the administration of Hon. Akeem Dauda — a role he described as another opportunity to contribute meaningfully to grassroots governance and service delivery.
As part of his reflections, he expressed deep appreciation to party leaders, political associates, friends, supporters, and stakeholders who have stood by him throughout his journey in public service and grassroots politics.
He particularly acknowledged Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke for his continuous support, encouragement, and commitment to loyal party faithful who have devoted their lives to strengthening the progressive movement.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Aderinola disclosed that the League of Former Ward Chairmen of the Progressives in Ikeja Federal Constituency, under his leadership, is set to commence a strategic orientation and capacity-building programme for serving Ward Chairmen and Secretaries.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at strengthening election management strategies before, during, and after elections in preparation for future electoral victories.
As he prepares to begin a new chapter at 55, Comrade Tayo Aderinola reaffirmed his commitment to service, grassroots development, party loyalty, youth empowerment, and community advancement, while praying for greater wisdom, renewed strength, sound health, and more opportunities to positively impact society.
“To God alone be all the glory,” he concluded.