Ashiru Oyelola Yisa
Ashiru Oyelola Yisa is a Nigerian politician from Offa. They have contested 1 election (1 win) across 1 party. Most recent: 2023 Nigerian Senate Elections as All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
Biography
Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (born 14 June 1955) is a Nigerian architect and politician, who was elected senator on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party to represent Kwara South Senatorial District in the 9th Senate.
He is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Projects Limited, a real estate firm, with branches in Lagos, Abuja, and other West African countries. Ashiru was born on 14 June 1955, in Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria.
He attended Iyeru Okin Primary School, Offa, before proceeding to Esie Iludun Anglican Grammar School in 1968. He completed his secondary education at Federal Government College, Sokoto, in 1974, and later studied environmental design and architecture at the University of Lagos, graduating in 1980.
Having run for office on multiple occasions in 2018, Ashiru declared his intention to run as Senator of Kwara South senatorial district in the 2019 Nigerian general election on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). However, in August 2018, PDP members in Kwara State, including Lola Ashiru, decamped to APC to campaign against the dynasty of Bukola Saraki, who he accused of poorly administering Kwara State for 16 years.
In the APC primary election, Ashiru won the senatorial ticket after defeating Suleiman Ajadi and others. On 23 February 2019, Ashiru won the senatorial election with 89,704 votes, defeating incumbent Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim of PDP, who polled 45,175 votes.
After his inauguration into the 9th Senate on 11 June 2019, he was appointed the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement on 29 July 2019.
Distinguished Leadership in the 10th Senate: Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa has demonstrated exceptional leadership prowess in the Nigerian 10th Senate. His rapid ascent to prominent positions underscores his dedication, expertise, and commitment to public service.
Key Leadership Appointments: In July 2024, he was appointed Deputy Chief Whip of the 10th Senate. On October 18, 2024, he was elevated to the position of Deputy Senate Leader, solidifying his influence and leadership within the Senate.
Chairmanship of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee: Ashiru Oyelola Yisa has been entrusted with the critical role as Chairman of the Senate ad-hoc committee investigating abandoned federal government projects, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and accountability.
During a campaign tour to Ojoku in the Oyun area of Kwara State on 20 February 2019, Ashiru and his supporters were attacked, with APC alleging that two of its members were shot dead by attackers loyal to PDP. Ojoku is the home town of Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim, who was contesting the Kwara South senatorial seat. On 22 February 2019, Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim, the incumbent senator of Kwara South, was arrested in connection to the attack.
Political Career
Party Positions
Policy positions from the All Progressives Congress (APC) party manifesto.
Agriculture
Launches the Irrigate Nigeria Project as a public-private partnership to develop small-scale irrigation and water catchment systems using modern technology to boost agricultural productivity.
Security & Defense
Will deploy modern aerial surveillance and advanced technology to monitor and deter intrusions into oil pipelines, power stations, and other critical national infrastructure in real time.
Environment & Climate
Accelerates the environmental cleanup and re-establishment of fisheries and profitable aquacultural activities in the Niger-Delta region to counter violent extremism and poverty-driven disaffection.
Economy & Trade
Will implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and additional favorable policies to attract investment in deep-water assets within 6 months, including encouraging signature bonus negotiations and royalty reliefs.
Infrastructure
Creates regional industrial hubs in specific zones (North West, North East, South East, South South, South West, North Central) to focus on labor-intensive manufacturing, with tailored investments (e.g., textiles, dry ports, glass, pottery, solid minerals, regulated mining).
Enterprise grant support
Work with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to simplify loan processes for commercial banks, mandate federally owned banks to provide low-cost loans to youth-led enterprises, and expand business incubation centers to support youth innovation.
Energy
Will mandate gas metering equipment on all facilities where gas flaring occurs within 6 months and establish a special enforcement unit to monitor compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) on gas flaring reduction, with non-compliance leading to financial penalties for affected communities.
Governance & Reform
Reserve at least 3 cabinet positions for individuals under 40 and 6 more positions for members under the age of 40, and mandate that at least 20% of political appointments to Ministries/Dangomas (MDAs) be reserved for individuals under 40.
Education
Raises the priority of addressing out-of-school children, establishes a task force to review and strengthen programs like school feeding, and aims to reduce disaffected youth recruitment by violent groups.
Healthcare
Will establish a network of upgraded, equipped, and staffed general hospitals in every Local Government Area, tertiary facilities in each State, and world-class specialist hospitals in each geo-political zone to improve healthcare accessibility and quality.
Technology & Digital
Supports the development of MSMEs through partnerships with fintech players to expand access to capital and business development services.
Reliefs and scholarships
Commits to a conditional income support program requiring recipients to meet human capital goals (school attendance, healthcare, nutrition) in exchange for payments.