Hazeem Gbolarumi

Hazeem Gbolarumi was born on 4 March 1957 and grew up in Ibadan in an average family. His mother ran a trade at Agbeni market, while his father worked as the assistant general manager of Peugeot Automobile in Kaduna.

He attended secondary school at Timi Agbale Grammar School, Ede. After leaving office as deputy governor in 2006, he pursued law studies at the University of Ibadan and later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the United Kingdom. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Strategic Management.

Gbolarumi began his career in academia, serving as Personnel Secretary in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Ibadan from 1986 to 1987. In 1987, he established Gasab Continental Nigeria Limited and has since served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

He also founded Olugbesan Farms Nigeria Limited, an agricultural business focused on agribusiness development. Currently, he leads Market Guide Communications, where he is the Chairman and Publisher, managing media and publication operations.

Gbolarumi entered politics in 1979 during the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) era, later joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he held positions such as State Secretary. During the military era, he served as secretary to Ibadan Municipal government before transitioning into party leadership roles.

In 2003/2004, he became the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under former Governor Rashidi Ladoja’s administration. In 2006, he was selected as the deputy governor of Oyo State alongside Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Beyond elective roles, Gbolarumi has held public appointments such as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Federal Medical Centre Ido-Ekiti (2009–2011). In 2026, he was sworn in as a Notary Public by Oyo State’s Chief Judge alongside other legal practitioners.

He emerged as the PDP governorship candidate for Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections. His campaign emphasizes humanitarian and justice-focused initiatives, including legal support for indigent inmates and human rights protection mechanisms.

Awarded recognition such as the Award of Excellence (Outstanding Political Actor) from The Kenad Communication Network and Civil Service Merit Awardee in 2006. He has also received honors like Hamir Hajj Recognition and Grand Patron titles from various institutions.