A Journey of Humble Beginnings and Determination
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency of Oyo State, Aderemi Oseni, has always emphasized the importance of hard work and selfless service. His journey began in a small village under Ido Local Government, where he attended IDC Primary School and Akufo Secondary School. Growing up as the child of peasant farmers, Oseni often hawked robo, a type of fried melon cake, and sold bread and fruits during weekends to support his family. While in secondary school, he worked as a bus conductor on weekends, ensuring that he never dropped out of school.
After completing his secondary education, Oseni was admitted to The Polytechnic, Ibadan, for his Ordinary National Diploma in Civil Engineering. He later pursued his Higher National Diploma at Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. His career took off when he served in the old Anambra State and won the Director-General award of the National Youth Service Corps for the 1990/91 set as the Secretary of the Social Committee. He also received a merit award from the local government, which led to automatic employment by the state government. However, he chose to work in a private construction firm with a higher pay, eventually returning to Lagos for another better offer.
Oseni’s determination led him to start his own construction company, Step Development, with N60,000. Today, the company employs about 500 people and has grown into a multi-billion naira investment. He also pursued a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering at Leeds University, UK, further strengthening his expertise.
Motivation to Enter Politics
Oseni was not lured into politics but rather motivated by a desire to serve. He believes that governance should be driven by those who have the intention to make a difference. “If we all sit down in our houses and continue to complain, the poor narration will continue,” he says. His goal is to improve the delivery of quality governance to the people of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
Faith and Political Involvement
Oseni is part of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries and credits his General Overseer, Dr D K Olukoya, for his support and encouragement. The ministry has been instrumental in promoting good governance and encouraging Christians to participate in politics. Oseni believes that if people with good intentions stay away, mediocres will continue to govern the country.
Views on the Coalition Against President Bola Tinubu’s Re-election
Oseni dismisses the coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 as “noisemakers.” He argues that no amount of coalition can hinder the president’s return. Oseni praises Tinubu’s decision to remove oil subsidies, which he believes has improved the country’s fiscal responsibilities. He also highlights the impact of this decision on fuel availability and the reduction of sharp practices in the oil and gas sector.
Oseni is also involved in the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF), a movement aimed at promoting good governance and increasing voter participation. The committee has over 200,000 members committed to the re-election of President Tinubu and aims to achieve a high voter turnout in the 2027 general election.
Future Political Ambitions
Oseni has not confirmed or denied his interest in the 2027 Oyo governorship race. He emphasizes that governance requires more than just a desire to be in power. If the opportunity arises, he is ready to take it on, with a focus on delivering real good governance that benefits every citizen.
FERMA and Road Infrastructure
As Chairman of the House Committee on FERMA, Oseni has introduced 14 legislative agendas to reposition the agency. He advocates for increased budgetary allocation, intervention funds, staff retraining, and partnerships with the private sector. Despite the current budget of N24bn, Oseni believes that more funding is needed to address the challenges of poor road infrastructure. Recent efforts, including equipment provided by China and the identification of deplorable roads for repair, have shown progress.
Contributions to Ibarapa East/Ido Constituency
Oseni has made significant contributions to his constituency, including the construction of bridges, health centers, and roads, as well as providing boreholes, classrooms, and transformers. He has also supported students with WASSCE and JAMB examination fees and provided fertilizers to boost food production. His efforts aim to support small businesses and improve power supply, which is crucial for economic growth.
Assessment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Government
Oseni acknowledges that he has not yet become governor, so he cannot provide a full assessment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s government. However, he notes that Makinde is managing the state based on his own vision of governance.
