Alhaji Oloye Dauda Soroye Adegbenro was a respected Nigerian politician, a national leader of the Action Group (AG) Party, and the Minister of Land and Labour. In recognition of his remarkable contributions, the people of Abeokuta honoured him with the chieftaincy titles of Balogun of Owu Egba and Ekerin of Egbaland.
Early Life & Education
Born in 1909 in Ago-Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Adegbenro attended African School, Owowo for his primary education before proceeding to Baptist Boys High School and Abeokuta Grammar School for his secondary education.
Career Path
His professional journey began in 1930 as a clerk at the Nigerian Railway Corporation, where he worked until 1937. He later became a storekeeper with the United African Company (UAC).
Political Journey
Adegbenro ventured into politics in the 1940s, joining forces with Obafemi Awolowo, Ladoke Akintola, and others to establish the Action Group (AG) party in 1951. The AG contested the 1951 Western Region elections, facing stiff competition from the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led in the region by Adegoke Adelabu. Despite initial setbacks, defections from NCNC later gave AG the majority.
Adegbenro’s political influence in Egba politics secured his election to the Western Region House of Assembly. He was later appointed to the Federal House of Representatives in Lagos. By 1954, he returned to the Western Region House of Assembly, serving as:
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice
Minister of Land and Labour
Minister of Local Government
A trusted ally of Chief Awolowo, Adegbenro played a key role in regional governance and later supported Awolowo when he became Leader of the Opposition in the Federal House of Representatives.
Political Crisis & Later Years
During the Action Group Crisis, which led to political instability in Western Nigeria and the entire country, Adegbenro was suspended from office following the 1966 military coup. When Awolowo and other AG leaders were imprisoned, Adegbenro led the party.
During the Nigerian Civil War, he served as Minister for Trade and Industry. However, he withdrew from politics in 1971 and passed away in 1975.
Legacy & Descendants
Adegbenro’s political legacy continues through his family lineage. His grandson is Odunsi the Engine, a well-known Nigerian alternative music artist.
