Managing Director/CEO, Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority
Engr. (Dr.) Adedeji Ashiru is honoured with the Award of Exemplary Leadership in Public Service for his transformative stewardship of the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA).
Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Ashiru has redefined the operational focus of the Authority, turning it into a pivotal engine for water resource management, agricultural sustainability, and rural development across the southwestern states of Ogun, Lagos, Oyo, and Osun.
Dr. Ashiru earns this recognition for his visionary approach to revitalising the Authority’s mandate. Under his command, OORBDA has moved beyond routine operations to implement critical interventions in irrigation, flood control, and potable water provision. His leadership has delivered measurable improvements, including the execution of new irrigation schemes that have bolstered food security and the construction of solar-powered boreholes that have democratized access to clean water. By prioritizing collaborative strategies to combat river pollution and land encroachment, he has aligned the Authority’s objectives with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, creating a model of accountable, results-driven public service.
His tenure is further distinguished by a unique blend of technical expertise and human-centred leadership. Through initiatives such as the EDA Empowerment Foundation, he has consistently supported vulnerable communities while simultaneously building institutional capacity within OORBDA. This dual focus on infrastructure and human capital has fostered peace, improved affordability of agricultural produce, and created tangible opportunities for farmers and investors alike.
A paragon of professional excellence, Dr. Ashiru’s administrative success is founded on a robust academic and professional pedigree. A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a COREN-registered engineer, he holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, a Master’s in Ocean and Offshore Technology from Cranfield University, and a Doctorate in Engineering.
His strategic acumen is further sharpened by executive education at Harvard Business School and the London Graduate School. Dr. Ashiru stands today not just as an administrator, but as a champion of sustainable development whose work positively impacts millions of lives across the region.
