Alhaji Ibrahim Adeagbo Adediji, the Chief Agbobaniyi of Offaland, was born on December 12, 1935, at Esunja’s Compound, Idi Isin, in Offa town, in what is today Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State.
His parents were Mr. Amoo Adediji and Alhaja Memunat Adediji (may Allah be pleased with them. Ameen).
He began his primary education in 1945 in Offa town but could not proceed further due to the death of his father in 1949.
However, driven by his passion for both Islamic and Western education, he enrolled in extra-mural classes, which enabled him to acquire basic literacy skills in reading and writing.
In 1950, he was enrolled as an apprentice in bricklaying under Mr. Lawal A. Aderibigbe (of blessed memory) in Offa.
He completed his apprenticeship in 1953 and thereafter worked independently as a bricklayer in Offa and its environs until 1958.
He later joined a British construction firm, JALVATO Construction Company, in Waara town, in present-day Niger State.
Owing to his dedication, competence, and hard work, he rose through the ranks and was appointed Site Foreman in 1960.
He held this position throughout the construction of the Kainji Dam between 1964 and 1968.
In 1969, he accompanied Mr. Roger, one of the company’s directors, to Paris, France, on a one-month vacation.
This visit exposed him to international business and trade opportunities.
Upon his return, he resigned his appointment with JALVATO Construction Company to venture fully into trading.
He relocated to Kaduna in 1969, where he engaged in the buying and selling of sportswear, as well as Brazilian and Italian shoes, on the advice of his former boss.
Finding the venture not fully aligned with his interests, he later became a distributor of Ashaka Cement and Elephant Cement in 1980, operating two separate sales outlets.
A few years later, he established a block industry equipped with electric block-moulding machines.
These machines, which were more advanced than the commonly used manual types, attracted the attention of A.G. Ferrero Construction Ltd., leading to a business partnership in block production and cement supply for several of the company’s projects across Nigeria.
Alhaji Chief Ibrahim Adeagbo Adediji is a renowned philanthropist who has consistently used his resources to impact the lives of his family members, friends, and the less privileged in society.
In 1982, he became a member of the Nawai-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Kaduna Branch, where his dedication and financial contributions were duly acknowledged.
A few years later, he was elected Chairman of the Building and Maintenance Committee.
In recognition of his service, he was honoured with an award of excellence on July 30, 2005.
He was turbaned as the Osupa-Adini of Offa by the leadership of the Offa Central Mosque, Bida Road, Kaduna.
He was also an active member of the Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Kaduna Branch, where he served as Vice Chairman under the chairmanship of Chief Olarinoye.
In recognition of his patriotism and commitment to the development of Offa, His Royal Highness, Oba Mustapha Olawore Olanipekun Ariwajoye II, the Olofa of Offa, conferred on him the title of Otun Agbobaniyi of Offa on December 24, 1989.
In 1991, he was elevated to the title of Agbobaniyi of Offa, though the elevation was not formally documented at the time.
On August 30, 2016, His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Okikiola Ajagungbade Esuwoye II, the Olofa of Offa, officially decorated and confirmed him with the title of Agbobaniyi of Offa.
Alhaji Chief Ibrahim Adeagbo Adediji retired to his hometown, Offa, in 2001 but remained actively engaged in business. In 2007, he established Adediji Petroleum along the Ijagbo–Offa Road and later opened another outlet at the Omo Owo area of Irra Road, Offa, in 2016.
Though he does not own the largest or most elaborate petroleum filling stations in Offa, he is widely respected within the petroleum marketing community for his integrity, transparency, and principled leadership.
These qualities earned him the position of Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Kwara South, a role he held from 2017 to 2024.
True to his belief in leadership renewal, he voluntarily stepped aside rather than subscribing to a sit-tight leadership culture.
He was also unanimously elected Chairman of Nawai-ud-Deen Offa, serving from 2019 to 2022.
Alhaji Chief Ibrahim Adeagbo Adediji is blessed with wives, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and he continues to serve as a source of inspiration, wisdom, and guidance to many within and beyond Offa.
