Sarafa Tunji Ishola

Sarafadeen Tunji Ishola
Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
In office
January, 2021 – September, 2023
Personal details
Born (1960-11-25) 25 November 1960

Sarafadeen Tunji Ishola is a Nigerian politician who served as the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.[1] He was appointed to the position by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021.[2][3] On September 2, 2023, President Bola Tinubu recalled Ishola, along with other Nigerian ambassadors, as part of a broader diplomatic reshuffle.[4] He was succeeded by Cyprian T. Heen.[5]

Early life and education

Sarafa Ishola was born on 25 November 1960 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, to Alhaji Ibrahim Ishola Tairu and Alhaja Amudalat Ajiun Ishola.[6]

After secondary school, Ishola worked in pharmaceutical sales at Wellcome Nigeria Limited and earned a marketing diploma from The Chartered Institute of Marketing. In 1981, he completed an investment course at Southwest London College in the United Kingdom.[7]

In 1983, Ishola served the National Youth Service Corps in Kaduna State, teaching economics, marketing, and business statistics at the Federal College of Education, Katsina.[8]

In 2009, Ishola attended the Leaders in Development programme at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.[9] In 2011, he enrolled in an MBA programme at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.[10]

Public service

Sarafa Tunji Ishola was elected chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government in 1997 and served until 1998.[11][12] During this period, he chaired the Conference of Local Government Council Chairmen in Ogun State.[13][14]

In 1999, he was appointed special assistant to the Minister of State for Finance, Jubril Martins-Kuye, and served until 2003.[15][16] In June 2003, Governor Gbenga Daniel appointed Ishola as Secretary to the Ogun State Government.[17]

On 26 July 2007, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua appointed Ishola as Minister of Mines and Steel Development, and he served until he left the cabinet on 29 October 2008 following a ministerial reshuffle.[18][19]

On 1 July 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari named Ishola among the non career ambassador designates, and the Senate process concluded later that month.[20][21][22] He was posted as Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on 13 January 2021 and assumed duties later that year, with his tenure ending upon recall in 2023.[23][24]

References

  1. ^ "Sarafadeen Tunji Isola – Oyo State International Business Summit". Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  2. ^ "Envoys' list: Buhari posts ex-ministers to UK, Spain, Emenike to US". Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  3. ^ Shibayan, Dyepkazah (2020-07-01). "Debo Adesina on Buhari's 41-man list of non-career ambassadors". TheCable. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  4. ^ Onuah, Felix (2 September 2023). "Nigerian President Recalls Ambassadors Worldwide". Reuters. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  5. ^ africanvoice (2023-10-18). "HM King Charles III bids farewell to Nigerian Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR". African Voice Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  6. ^ "Lisabi Festival: Sarafa Ishola's Grandfather Named Hero of the Year". ThisDay Live. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Southwest London College Prospectus Archive". SW London College. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  8. ^ "NYSC Alumni Records". NYSC. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Alumni". Harvard Kennedy School. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  10. ^ "University of Ilorin MBA Prospectus 2011" (PDF). University of Ilorin. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  11. ^ Alli, Yusuf (6 May 2021). "His Excellency, Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Nigeria's new High Commissioner arrives UK". African Voice. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  12. ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (10 September 2022). "Amb Sarafa Tunji Ishola's winning streak". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  13. ^ Alli, Yusuf (6 May 2021). "His Excellency, Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Nigeria's new High Commissioner arrives UK". African Voice. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  14. ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (10 September 2022). "Amb Sarafa Tunji Ishola's winning streak". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  15. ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (10 September 2022). "Amb Sarafa Tunji Ishola's winning streak". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Nigeria: Daniel Appoints New SSG". AllAfrica. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Nigeria: Daniel Appoints New SSG". AllAfrica. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Emotions in Ogun as sacked minister returns home". AllAfrica. 2 November 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  19. ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (10 September 2022). "Amb Sarafa Tunji Ishola's winning streak". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Buhari appoints 41 non career ambassadors". Daily Trust. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Buhari appoints 41 non career ambassadors (full list)". Premium Times. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Debo Adesina on Buhari's 41 man list of non career ambassadors". TheCable. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  23. ^ Alli, Yusuf (6 May 2021). "His Excellency, Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Nigeria's new High Commissioner arrives UK". African Voice. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Tinubu recalls Nigeria's High Commissioner to UK two years after Buhari appointment". Channels TV. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
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