Leke Joseph Abejide: A Servant Leader

Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide, born on May 8, 1975, in Alu, Yagba East, Kogi State, is a distinguished Nigerian politician and philanthropist. He represents the Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-Muro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Career and Education:

Abejide holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Bayero University Kano. His career spans business and politics, with significant roles in clearing and forwarding services as the chairman of ABYEM INT’L LTD.

Philanthropy and Community Service
Abejide is renowned for his philanthropic efforts through the Leke Abejide Foundation, which supports education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. He has renovated health centers, donated to rural electrification projects, and paid school fees for numerous students. His commitment to education is evident in his record-breaking payment of WAEC fees for students in both private and public schools across Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency since 2018 and extended it to Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in 2022.

The State Government started WAEC payment for Public schools in 2023 and the lawmaker continued his community service by paying for all Private Schools in five(5) local government areas of Yagba East LGA,Yagba West LGA, Mopamuro LGA, Kabba-Bunu LGA and Ijumu LGA till date costing several millions of Naira.

On the 23rd December,2024 Leke Abejide Foundation(LAF) released N100,000,000(One Hundred Million Naira) of Free interest loans for women empowerment in Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency and currently working on Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency for the same to be released soon.

Political Career
Elected in 2019 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and re-elected in 2023, Abejide serves as a member of the House of Representatives. His political career is marked by a strong focus on community development and constituent welfare. He is affiliated with the APC but has not decamped as at the time of filing this report.

Personal Life
Abejide is a devout Christian and a respected community leader. He is married to Mrs. Esther Modupe Abejide and has three children. His humility and dedication to public service have earned him the respect of his constituents and peers alike.

Hon. Leke Abejide has achieved several notable milestones in his career and constituency:
• Education Support: He famously paid WAEC fees for all students in public schools across his constituency
• Legislative Contributions: Abejide sponsored the Nigeria Customs and Excise Management Amendment Bill, a significant legislative achievement.
• Community Development: He has renovated health centers, donated to rural electrification projects, and constructed a police station to enhance security.
• Empowerment Programs: Over 2,000 constituents have benefited from his mega empowerment schemes, which include providing motorized boreholes and other resources.
• Philanthropy: Through the Leke Abejide Foundation, he supports widows, aged people, and indigent students, demonstrating his commitment to social welfare.

Hon. Leke Abejide’s work as the Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise has significantly impacted national economic policies in several ways:
• Legislative Reforms: Abejide sponsored the Nigeria Customs and Excise Management Amendment Bill, which modernized outdated customs and excise policies, aligning them with contemporary economic needs.
• Oversight and Accountability: He has ensured transparency and accountability in customs operations, conducting oversight visits and advocating for improved border security to combat smuggling and enhance revenue collection.
• Economic Growth: Abejide’s efforts have supported national economic objectives by facilitating trade and improving customs efficiency, which is crucial for revenue generation and economic stability.
• Modernization Initiatives:

He has promoted the e-customs modernization project to enhance operational efficiency and technological capacity within the Nigeria Customs Service.