From Royal Roots to Irish Ranks: Nigerian Philanthropist Chief Abel Ayodeji Joins An Irish Garda Síochána.
By Raymond Enoch
In a groundbreaking moment that bridges continents and celebrates global achievement, Nigerian-born philanthropist and diaspora leader, Chief Prince Dr. Abel Sunday Adewunmi Ayodeji, has been officially commissioned into the Irish Police Service, An Garda Síochána.
The ceremony, which took place on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Garda Police College in Ireland, marked the culmination of rigorous training and a significant milestone in Chief Ayodeji’s already distinguished career in international social development and public service.
According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Correspondents’ Chapel, Felix Ojo, the Chapel extended warm congratulations to Chief Ayodeji, describing the achievement as “a personal triumph and a source of immense pride for Nigeria and the wider African diaspora.”
A son of the Amororo Royal Family of Owu, Abeokuta in Ogun State, and born in Lagos, Chief Ayodeji has risen from royal roots to become a global figure in community development. He holds academic and professional credentials from The Federal Polytechnic Ede, Nigeria, and Diaconia University of Applied Sciences in Finland, with further training across Europe in leadership, social work, and public service.
His portfolio includes impactful roles with the European Union, the United Nations, and several European governments, where he championed causes related to migrant integration, anti-domestic violence, healthcare advocacy, and multicultural cooperation. In 2025, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Leadership, Management, and Administration in Ireland.
Notably, Chief Ayodeji co-founded the Asiwaju and Yeye Asiwaju Owu Sokori Community Development Foundation alongside his wife, Chief Princess Adelaid Ayodeji. The foundation has made transnational contributions, recently partnering with the NUJ FCT Correspondents’ Chapel to support the successful hosting of its August 2025 Congress in Abuja.
“Chief Dr. Abel Ayodeji is a trusted advocate, a community builder, and now, a symbol of cross-border service through his induction into one of the world’s most respected law enforcement bodies,” the statement read.
With this historic commissioning, Chief Ayodeji becomes not only a beacon for aspiring African professionals abroad but also a testament to the power of dedication, education, and global citizenship.
The NUJ FCT Correspondents’ Chapel has expressed its pride in associating with him and wished him continued success as he embarks on this new chapter of public service in Ireland.
