In a recent development, Dr. Funmi Waheed-Adejoko, a 40-year-old mechanical engineer, has emerged as another female candidate vying for the position of governor in Ondo State, Nigeria. She has decided to contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Notably, she has shown her determination by officially entering the race after acquiring the N10 million expression of interest form.
While the ruling party has set the expression of interest form at N10 million and the nomination form at N40 million, female aspirants and individuals with disabilities are granted the concession to purchase only the expression of interest form, with the nomination form being free. Dr. Funmi Waheed-Adejoko, undeterred by the heavyweight contenders in the race, remains optimistic about the outcome of the primary.
Dr. Funmi Waheed-Adejoko, a Fellow of the Society of Engineers, has dismissed any claims of being a proxy for a governor or political godfathers in the state. She asserts that she paid the N10 million fee with her hard-earned money. Her motivation for joining the race is not to represent or serve the interests of any particular individual but to represent herself and women worldwide, particularly in Africa.
As a successful business magnate, Dr. Funmi Waheed-Adejoko is the founder of FunmiAyinke Nigeria Limited, a prominent engineering company in Nigeria. The company has made a name for itself in various areas, including building construction, towers, roads, engineering surveying, public procurement training, and the supply of petroleum products. Coming from a royal family background, she initially pursued a medical career but switched to Mechanical Engineering after the passing of her father. She completed her studies at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Funmi Waheed-Adejoko is also a dedicated philanthropist. She has generously contributed a significant portion of her wealth to support the less privileged. Through the FunmiAyinke Humanity Foundation, she has sponsored over 10,000 students’ education and provided assistance to at least 15,000 widows in Nigeria.