Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo didn’t just serve Nigeria; he stood for it. The former Kwara State Governor, senator, and one of the loudest voices for democracy during Nigeria’s darkest hours has died in Abuja at 84.
- Adebayo was governor of Kwara State briefly in 1983 before the military coup.
- Rejected a ministerial offer from the Abacha regime in 1993, siding with NADECO instead.
- Fled to Canada in 1996 amid state repression after a bomb blast in Ilorin.
- As Education Commissioner (1975–78), he pioneered policies that shaped learning in Kwara.
- Served as Minister of Communications (2003–2006) under Obasanjo during telecom sector reform.
While others bowed to power, Adebayo’s spine held firm. In a nation too often governed by silence and compromise, he chose principle over privilege. His decision to walk away from Abacha’s offer wasn’t just a protest; it was moral clarity in a fog of fear.
In a time when integrity is a rare currency, Adebayo’s legacy reminds us that service without values is just survival. Nigeria doesn’t just need more politicians — it needs more Adebayo.
