Busura Adedeji Alebiosu, the Otunba Gbelegbuwa of Ijebuland and member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State will be 90 this month, an age when he should have gone into full retirement or living a quiet life, but he has not done so because of the love he has for his community, state and country. Today, he is actively involved in politics, governance and philanthropic gestures.
At 90, Otunba Alebiosu is still active as he was decades back, considering his alertness. He is still mentally alert, physically active, and deeply engaged in governance and community affairs, a rare symbol of longevity, wisdom and relevance.
Otunba Alebiosu is a respected elder statesman and politician who has distinguished himself as a technocrat and politician without blemish. He is one of the surviving disciples of the late sage and Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who has remained steadfast in what the late sage lived and died for. While some of those people who wear Awolowo’s cap and glasses have strayed away from the principle and philosophy of the late premier, Otunba Alebiosu is unshaken.
He has remained steadfast in promoting the ideals of good governance, for which Awolowo was known. Otunba Alebiosu, fondly revered as Baba Bush and widely known as the “Bush of Africa,” stands as one of the most enduring pillars of progressive politics, grassroots leadership, and institutional stability in Lagos State and Nigeria at large. Born on April 24, 1936, in Ijasi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, his life journey is a compelling narrative of resilience, discipline, and selfmade excellence.
From modest beginnings, he attended Moslem School in Ijebu-Ode before moving to Lagos in search of opportunities. Like many great men of his generation, he embraced humble beginnings, working as a gas station attendant in Ebute Metta, while nurturing a burning desire to improve his lot. That desire took him to the United Kingdom in the late 1950s, where he trained as a Welding Engineer at Hammersmith College of Arts and Building and later at Paddington Technical College.
It was during this period in London that his close associate, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, famously coined the nickname “Bush,” a name that would transcend continents and become a defining identity. Returning to Nigeria in 1967, Otunba Alebiosu ventured into engineering and entrepreneurship, co-founding what would later become Helios Engineering Nigeria Ltd with his lifelong friend, Justice Adesola Oguntade, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
With a rare blend of technical expertise and strategic foresight, the company flourished, serving major clients such as Leventis Group and UAC, running multiple production shifts, and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s industrial development. His foray into politics in 1976 under the progressive banner of Chief Obafemi Awolowo marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to public service.
Emerging as a councillor in Somolu Local Government Area, he rose to become a two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly during the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande. His legislative contributions were impactful and enduring, particularly in the area of land regularisation across Anthony Village, Ojota, Ketu, Bariga and Gbagada areas of the state.
These policies liberated countless residents and transformed property ownership in Lagos State. He also championed the creation of Kosofe as a pull-out from Somolu, and the further creation of Agboyi-Ketu, and IkosiIsheri. He has truly enjoyed the love of the people and the community he served. He has become a brand name.
Following the truncation of the Second Republic, Otunba Alebiosu remained steadfast in the struggle for democratic continuity. Alongside eminent figures such as Prince Tajudeen Olusi, the late Alhaji Olatunji Hamzat, and Senator Rasheed ShittaBey, he became a key member of the influential Primose Group. This strategic political caucus operated behind the scenes to sustain progressive ideals, shape party direction, and influence leadership outcomes during Nigeria’s turbulent political transitions.
Through the years, his political journey traversed major progressive platforms, from the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) to Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and currently the All Progressives Congress (APC). Without any iota of doubt, Otunba Alebiosu is a major stakeholder in the formation of critical political structures that birthed the modern Lagos political ecosystem.
Notably, he played a significant role in the emergence and consolidation of the Justice Forum, a formidable political movement that became instrumental in the rise of progressive leadership in Lagos State, including the eventual emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as governor.
He is one who has helped shape the political landscape of Lagos, especially during this Fourth Republic. He is one of our leading lights
A trusted ally of President Tinubu for over four decades, Otunba Alebiosu has remained a quiet architect of Lagos politics, one whose influence is felt more in outcomes than in headlines. As a highly respected member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), he continues to provide guidance rooted in experience, promoting stability, consensus-building, and principled governance within the state.
Beyond politics, he is a distinguished traditional leader. In 1987, he was conferred with the revered title of Otunba Gbelegbuwa of Ijebuland by the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona. Today, as chairman of the Council of Otunbas of Ijebuland, he remains a custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, fostering unity and continuity across generations.
A devout Muslim and respected community figure, Otunba Alebiosu has also contributed significantly to religious development as a chieftain of the Central Mosque in Ijebu-Ode, exemplifying a life anchored in faith, humility, and service. On the home front, his life tells a story of perseverance and enduring love. His marriage, which triumphed over early resistance and societal barriers, has spanned over six decades, built on sacrifice, resilience, and mutual respect.
Together, they have raised a family that reflects his core values of discipline, service, and excellence, with children who continue to make meaningful contributions in public service and beyond. Renowned for his humility, integrity, and aversion to self-promotion, Otunba Alebiosu is the embodiment of quiet leadership. He is widely respected for his fairness, his capacity to resolve complex conflicts, and his unwavering belief in due process and democratic participation.
A man who listens deeply, yields to superior argument, and prioritises the collective good over personal ambition, he remains a moral compass within Nigeria’s political landscape. Otunba Alebiosu’s life is not just a biography; it is a legacy, a testament to the enduring power of integrity, the strength of quiet influence, and the profound impact of a life devoted to service, nation-building and humanity.
To many of his contemporaries, political associates and disciples, Otunba Alebiosu is a mentor, politician, entrepreneur and philantropist worth emulating at 90. The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described him as “my political father, my daddy, our leader, the leader of Otunbas in the whole of Ijebuland.” The governor added: “He is one who has helped shape the political landscape of Lagos, especially during this Fourth Republic. He is one of our leading lights.
He is a beacon of final solutions or final advice that can guide us through very untidy, disruptive, and unsettling moments. “I see him as a stabilizer; a man with tremendous experience and a wealth of knowledge. More importantly, he is a calm elderly man. I see qualities of leadership in him that are rare among political leaders. “He doesn’t need to contribute to every conversation.
When Baba Bush opens his mouth to speak, we all listen because he speaks not only from knowledge and skill but also from the depth of an experienced elder statesman who seeks resolution. You can see clearly that this is not experience that is bought; it is experience that is earned. It is leadership built over time. I draw from that.”
The deputy governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, on his part, said: “What I like about him is his composure. Political meetings or gatherings can sometimes be chaotic, but what Baba does is to bring order. He takes you back to history, which helps people to calm down. Baba does it in a very gentle way, and because of that, you must listen. My daddy, Baba Bush, we thank God for your life, 90 years is not easy.”
Speaking about his long-time friend of over 50 years and ‘twin and brother’, Prince Tajudeen Olusi said the principle of having a personal policy and the principle of steadfastness have endeared him to Otunba Alebiosu. He said: “He has made sacrifices for others. There has never been any occasion when Bush asked for any position.
There was a time the position of national vice chairman of the party was vacant, and I showed interest. I had been the national vice-chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before, and the late Alhaji Hamzat had just vacated the position. “Asiwaju then suggested that Otunba Bush should go for it. He said no; that I should be allowed to go for the position. That is the kind of person Otunba is.
He is not selfish. He is the kind of person who will come last after others have been satisfied. So, I love him.” A former Secretary to Lagos State Government (SSG), Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun, who served in the same government as Alebiosu in the Second Republic, described the ‘Bush of Africa’ as a party man who is always ready to use his resources for the party. “There was a time the party needed a secretariat in his area, and he used part of his wife’s shop for that purpose.
I have great respect for him. The President, Bola Tinubu, also has a lot of respect for him. “He has remained the leader of Lagos East Senatorial District, producing Assembly members, House of Representatives members, and a Senator, with no loss in any election.” Speaking about Otunba Alebiosu, a former deputy governor of Lagos State and GAC member, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, said: “What comes to mind is his humility. He does not flaunt his wealth or position. He is very humble.
He is a democrat to the core. He is my leader in Lagos East Senatorial District. “The good thing about him is that he consults before he takes decisions. That is why a lot of us relate with him closely. We related closely. He is a man of many parts. I can say that he has done a lot for the state because he is very close to Asiwaju, the current president. “He is the most senior member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body in the state.
He has done a lot for the state.” Commenting about his father at 90, Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Hon. Dayo Alebiosu, said: “We are grateful for who he is. He is an amazing father; he has been a rock. If I get the opportunity to choose again, I will choose him again and again.
A very stubborn old man; I appreciate that about him. He just believes in what he believes in. I really give it to him; his dedication, composure, wisdom, courage, competence and character.” The commissioner, who is Otunba Alebiosu’s first son, noted that “He has moved from being a father to being a mentor. A father protects you, but a mentor exposes you to risks carefully for your growth.
On behalf of my siblings and I, we would like to say thank you very much for being the amazing father that he has been to us – his biological and non-biological children.” As Otunba Alebiosu clocks 90 on April 24, there is no doubt that he stands out a straightforward, unassuming, kind, generous, consistent and uncompromised politician, a political mentor to many younger generations, and a community leader who stands for his conviction.
