…Olawande, Mimiko, others mourn
Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, elder statesman, educationist, politician and leader of Afenifere, was born on May 11, 1926, in Uso, in present-day Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
He lived for 100 years, witnessing Nigeria’s transition from colonial rule to independence, the First Republic, military dictatorship and the restoration of democratic government. His life was marked by a commitment to education, public service, political activism and the advancement of the Yoruba people.
Early life and education
Fasoranti began his elementary education in Uso before proceeding to Ondo Boys’ High School, Ondo. He later attended Higher College, Yaba, Lagos, and the University College, Ibadan, now the University of Ibadan, where he studied English and Geography.
He subsequently pursued further studies in education, including studies in the United Kingdom and Australia, equipping himself for a career in teaching and school administration.
His educational background laid the foundation for a professional life devoted to teaching, educational development and public service.
Read also: Reuben Fasoranti: The teacher who devoted his life to Afenifere and the Yoruba cause
Teaching career
Fasoranti began his professional career as a teacher at Ondo Boys’ High School, his alma mater. He later served in various educational institutions, including Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, and Anglican Grammar School, Iju-Itaogbolu, where he held leadership positions.
His years in education were characterised by a commitment to learning, discipline and the development of young people.
After retiring from formal teaching and public service, he continued to contribute to the sector by establishing Omolere Nursery and Primary School and Akure High School.
He also established St Frances’ Academy at Igoba, Akure, in memory of his wife, Frances Oladiwura Fasoranti, who died in 1991.
Entry into politics
Fasoranti’s political career was shaped by his association with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose political philosophy emphasised education, social welfare, accountability and good governance.
He became associated with the defunct Action Group during the First Republic and later joined the Unity Party of Nigeria, which Awolowo led during the Second Republic.
His political beliefs were influenced by the Awolowo tradition, which placed emphasis on the use of government policies to improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens.
A life of service and recognition
Fasoranti was widely respected for his contributions to education, politics and community development. He was also recognised as a leader in his Akure community and a notable figure in his church.
Former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, described him during his 97th birthday celebration as a Yoruba leader whose position as head of Afenifere placed him at the forefront of the affairs of one of Africa’s prominent ethnic nationalities.
The late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu also described him as a reference point for quality leadership.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in a birthday tribute, praised Fasoranti as a great leader and a symbol of integrity, statesmanship and patriotism.
Throughout his life, Fasoranti remained associated with the values of discipline, integrity, sacrifice and devotion to public service.
Centenary celebration
On May 11, 2026, Fasoranti attained the age of 100, marking a century of life that spanned some of the most significant periods in Nigeria’s political history.
His centenary attracted tributes from political leaders, associates and admirers who acknowledged his contributions to education, public administration, democratic activism and Yoruba leadership.
President Bola Tinubu, in a tribute marking the occasion, acknowledged his service as Commissioner for Finance in the Ajasin administration and his longstanding association with the political tradition of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
His 100th birthday provided an opportunity to reflect on a life that connected the colonial era with contemporary Nigeria and encompassed decades of political and social transformation.
Death and legacy
The death of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti marks the end of a century-long life devoted to education, public service and political engagement.
As an educationist, he taught and mentored generations of students and established schools to expand educational opportunities.
As a public administrator, he served as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State between 1979 and 1983.
As a political activist and Yoruba leader, he opposed military dictatorship and led Afenifere, sustaining a political tradition rooted in the ideals of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
His life remains an important part of the history of Ondo State, the Yoruba nation and Nigeria.
He will be remembered as an educationist who invested in the future of young people, a politician who remained committed to his convictions and an elder statesman whose influence extended across generations.
Condolences
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has described the death of renowned Yoruba leader and elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as a monumental loss to Ondo State, the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole.
Fasoranti, who died peacefully on Tuesday at the age of 100, was celebrated by the minister for his lifelong commitment to justice, good governance, education and the advancement of the Yoruba people.
Olawande, in a condolence statement, said the late elder statesman represented a generation of leaders whose lives were defined by courage, integrity, wisdom and selfless service to humanity.
He said Fasoranti’s death was not only a personal loss but also a defining moment for Ondo State and the Yoruba nation, given his contributions to public service, education and the socio-political development of the people.
According to the minister, the late Afenifere leader devoted his life to causes that transcended personal interests, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to guide and inspire generations.
He noted that Fasoranti’s life demonstrated that the true worth of leadership lay not in the number of years spent on earth but in the positive impact made on society and the lives of others.
The minister said the deceased’s commitment to justice, accountability and good governance offered important lessons for present-day leaders, particularly at a time when the country needed individuals prepared to place public interest above personal considerations.
He added that Fasoranti’s life of service showed that leadership was a responsibility that demanded sacrifice, courage and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people.
Olawande said the late elder statesman’s contributions to education and public service would remain an important part of his legacy, noting that the impact of a life devoted to the common good often extended far beyond the lifetime of the individual.
He stressed that Fasoranti’s influence on the Yoruba nation went beyond his immediate community, as his commitment to the advancement of the people earned him a place among the respected voices in the socio-political affairs of the South-West.
The minister added that the late elder statesman’s long life provided an opportunity for generations to benefit from his wisdom, experience and commitment to the ideals of justice and responsible leadership.
He urged young Nigerians to draw lessons from Fasoranti’s dedication to service and his belief in the need to build a society where fairness, integrity and good governance remained central to public life.
According to him, the younger generation must recognise that the enduring value of leadership is measured by the difference leaders make in their communities and the opportunities they create for those coming after them.
Olawande said Fasoranti’s death had created a painful void among his family members, associates, political leaders and those who looked up to him for guidance on issues affecting the Yoruba nation.
He, however, expressed confidence that the values the deceased represented would continue to influence the conduct of public affairs and inspire those committed to the progress of the country.
Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who also described the passing of Pa Fasoranti as profound loss to the Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole said “we have lost a father figure whose long life connected our political present to some of the most consequential chapters of our collective history. His was a generation that understood the value of institutions, the responsibilities of leadership and the need to preserve a political culture in which the public good must always take precedence over personal interest.
Read also: Fasoranti’s death a major loss to Yorubaland, Nigeria, says Adeoye
According to Mimiko, “Pa Fasoranti was more than an elder statesman; he was a custodian of a political tradition, a devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a man whose life embodied the enduring virtues of discipline, integrity, courage and service.
“As an educationist, administrator, politician, Afenifere leader and pro-democracy activist, Pa Fasoranti distinguished himself across generations. His service as Commissioner for Finance in the administration of the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin was a defining expression of his commitment to public probity and responsible governance. His subsequent leadership of the progressive movement, particularly as the leader of Afenifere until his demise, reflected a lifelong conviction that politics must be anchored in principle and directed towards the welfare of the people.
“Pa Fasoranti, as leader of Afenifere, provided wise, principled and steady guidance to the organisation and to the broader and global Yoruba political family. He carried the responsibility with dignity, courage and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of social justice, good governance, federalism and the advancement of the Yoruba people within a united and prosperous Nigeria and in the diaspora.
“Never for once were personal ambition or greed markers of his leadership philosophy or direction; it was all about fidelity to principle and an abiding concern for the future of the nation.
“He belonged to a generation for whom public service was a duty, not an avenue for private enrichment; for whom political convictions were not disposable conveniences; and for whom the struggle for a better society demanded consistency, sacrifice and courage. His steadfastness through the difficult years of military rule and his commitment to democratic ideals remain important lessons for our country.
“And when tragedy of monumental proportions visited him through losses, one of his wife and another of a dear daughter, he soldiered on with uncommon stoicism and untainted submission to the supreme will of God.
“At over a century lived on this side, Baba leaves behind more than the memories of a long and eventful life. He leaves a standard by which leadership may be judged and a legacy that challenges younger generations to pursue public life with honour, courage and an abiding sense of responsibility.”
Kole Omololu, the Convener, Conscience of Yoruba Nation Group, in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday in Akure also said his advocacy of democratic governance and genuine federalism also reflected his understanding that Nigeria’s stability and prosperity depend on justice, equity and respect for the legitimate aspirations of its constituent peoples.
Omololu said “Pa Fasoranti’s integrity and steadfastness offer a powerful contrast to a political culture in which principles are too often sacrificed at the altar of expediency. He belonged to a generation that understood that public office was a trust, political conviction a responsibility, and honesty an indispensable attribute of leadership. His example reminds us that integrity is demonstrated not by what people proclaim, but by the principles they uphold when compromise would be more convenient.
“For the Conscience of Yoruba Nation Group, his passing is both a moment of grief and a solemn call to reflection. Awoism must not be reduced to the celebration of Awolowo’s name or the recitation of his achievements. Its authenticity must be measured by the quality of governance, access to education, protection of the vulnerable and the willingness of leaders to place the common good above personal interests.”
In its condolences to the family of the deceased, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, paid a glowing tribute to Pa Fasoranti and described his life as a remarkable legacy of service, integrity and commitment to the advancement of education and societal development.
Adejuyigbe, noted that Pa Fasoranti’s contributions to the growth of education in Ondo State and his enduring commitment to the development of human capital would remain a source of inspiration to generations of students, educators and public-spirited individuals.
She observed that the late elder statesman’s life exemplified the importance of education as a foundation for individual advancement, community development and the overall progress of society.
The UNIMED Vice-Chancellor stressed that the development of education requires visionary leadership, selfless service and a sustained commitment to creating opportunities for young people to acquire knowledge and contribute meaningfully to society.
According to her, Pa Fasoranti’s legacy serves as a reminder that investment in education is one of the most enduring contributions anyone can make to the future of a community and the prosperity of succeeding generations.
Adejuyigbe further noted that Ondo State’s educational development has been shaped by the dedication of individuals who recognised the transformative power of learning and consistently advocated the pursuit of knowledge, discipline and excellence.
She said the late Pa Fasoranti’s life and ideals would continue to inspire efforts to strengthen educational institutions, promote academic excellence and expand access to quality education for the benefit of the people.
The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised the need for younger generations to uphold the values of integrity, service, responsibility and dedication to the common good, which she said are essential to sustaining the progress achieved in the education sector.
She described the centenarian’s passing as a significant loss, not only to his family and associates but also to Ondo State and the wider community of people who value education, principled leadership and service to humanity.
Adejuyigbe extended her condolences to the family of the deceased and all those mourning his passing, praying that God would grant them the strength to bear the loss.
She urged the people of Ondo State to preserve the ideals that defined Pa Fasoranti’s life and to translate the lessons of his generation into renewed commitment to educational advancement, youth development and nation-building.
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