Leke Abejide biography — the full story of the Nigerian lawmaker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Kogi State who became one of Nigeria’s most impactful voices in customs legislation and constituency development.
Table of Contents
Notable Facts
- Full Name: Leke Joseph Abejide
- Born: May 8, 1975, Alu, Yagba East, Kogi State, Nigeria | Age (2026): 51
- Profession: Politician, Legislator, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
- Education: B.Sc. Economics, Ahmadu Bello University; MBA, Bayero University Kano
- Political Party: African Democratic Congress (ADC), affiliated with APC
- Legislative Role: Member, House of Representatives (9th & 10th National Assembly)
- Committee: Chairman, House Committee on Customs and Excise
- Business: Chairman, ABYEM INT’L LTD (clearing and forwarding)
- Philanthropy: Founder, Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF)
- Wife: Mrs. Esther Modupe Abejide | Children: Three
Who Is Leke Abejide?
Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide is a Nigerian politician, businessman, and philanthropist representing the Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-Muro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Kogi State. First elected in 2019 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and re-elected in 2023, he has served across the 9th and 10th National Assemblies.
In the legislature, he currently chairs the House Committee on Customs and Excise, a role that places him at the center of Nigeria’s trade, revenue, and border management policy. Outside government, he is the chairman of ABYEM INT’L LTD, a successful clearing and forwarding firm, and the founder of the Leke Abejide Foundation, which has delivered education, healthcare, and economic empowerment programmes across multiple local government areas in Kogi State.
He is widely referred to as the “Emancipator of Okunland” — a title earned through years of grassroots community service that predates his entry into partisan politics.
Quick Facts: What You Need to Know About Leke Abejide
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leke Joseph Abejide |
| Date of Birth | May 8, 1975 |
| Age (2026) | 51 years old |
| Birthplace | Alu, Yagba East, Kogi State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Religion | Christianity (Church Elder) |
| Education | B.Sc. Economics — Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria |
| Postgraduate | MBA — Bayero University, Kano |
| Political Party | ADC (elected); affiliated with APC |
| Constituency | Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-Muro Federal Constituency |
| Legislative Terms | 9th National Assembly (2019) & 10th National Assembly (2023) |
| Committee | Chairman, House Committee on Customs and Excise |
| Business | Chairman, ABYEM INT’L LTD |
| Foundation | Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF) |
| Wife | Mrs. Esther Modupe Abejide |
| Children | Three |
| Title | “Emancipator of Okunland” |
Early Life & Background
Leke Joseph Abejide was born on May 8, 1975, in Alu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State. He grew up in a family headed by High Chief and Chief Mrs. Abejide within the Alu community, where he was raised with values of humility, hard work, and community responsibility.
His formative years in Okunland, a historically industrious region in Kogi State’s western flank, shaped the public-service orientation that would later define his career. By the time he reached secondary school, his leadership instincts were already evident.
He attended LSMB Primary School, Alu-Igbagun, for his foundational education. He then enrolled at Alu Community Secondary School in 1991, where his academic performance and character earned him the position of Assistant Senior Prefect — an early signal of the leadership qualities that would follow him throughout his life.
Education: A Foundation in Economics and Business
After completing secondary school, Abejide gained admission to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria — one of the largest and most respected universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. He studied in the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.
Following his university education, he completed his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and later pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Bayero University, Kano — building on his undergraduate training with a more applied, management-focused qualification.
These two academic foundations, one in economic theory and one in business administration, gave him a strong analytical base for both his entrepreneurial and legislative careers.
Career Journey of Leke Abejide: From Business to the Green Chamber
Early Career: Building a Business Empire
After completing his NYSC, Abejide entered the private sector. In 2004, he began his career with DIVA ITH STC in Turkey, where he started as a supervisor and rose to become Nigeria’s representative for the firm by 2007 — a rapid climb that demonstrated his commercial aptitude and work ethic.
Returning to Nigeria with international business exposure, he founded ABYEM INT’L LTD, a clearing and forwarding company that grew steadily into a respected name among Nigerian importers and exporters. He also established ABYEM DIVA INT’L LTD, building a group of companies in the logistics and trade facilitation space. As chairman and CEO, he developed ABYEM into what clients and industry peers describe as a preferred choice for trade and port clearing services across Nigeria.
His work in the clearing and forwarding sector would later inform his legislative focus on customs policy — giving him firsthand knowledge of how port operations, trade facilitation, and customs management affect Nigerian businesses.
Philanthropy Before Politics: The Foundation Years
Long before he entered partisan politics, Abejide was already known in Yagba land for his philanthropic work. In March 2015, the Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF) formally disbursed its first phase of N12 million to constituents across Yagba Federal Constituency, targeting poverty reduction and student welfare.
From that point forward, the foundation became a consistent presence in the lives of residents across multiple local government areas. He paid school fees, supported widows and elderly citizens, funded rural electrification, and renovated health facilities — all before holding any elected office.
Crucially, he also began paying WAEC examination fees for students in public schools across the Yagba constituency from as early as 2018, a year before he was first elected. When the Kogi State Government began covering WAEC fees for public schools in 2023, he extended his payment to cover private schools across five local government areas: Yagba East, Yagba West, Mopamuro, Kabba-Bunu, and Ijumu.
Entry into Politics: A Grassroots Mandate
Abejide’s transition from philanthropy to politics was the natural next step for a man already embedded in community service. He contested the 2019 general elections under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — an unusual choice in a state where the APC held near-total dominance.
Running on the strength of his personal reputation and years of community investment rather than party machinery, he won the Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-Muro federal constituency seat by a landslide, defeating APC candidates in a result that stunned the political establishment. The victory was widely attributed to his pre-existing community relationships and philanthropic credibility.
He was re-elected in 2023 for a second term in the 10th National Assembly, confirming his constituency’s confidence in his representation.
Legislative Career: Chairman, House Committee on Customs and Excise
In the National Assembly, Abejide’s most consequential role has been as Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise — the body responsible for legislative oversight of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Under his chairmanship, the committee has pursued a notably assertive approach to accountability:
- He sponsored the Nigeria Customs and Excise Management Amendment Bill, a key piece of legislation modernising outdated customs policy
- He promoted the e-customs modernisation project to improve efficiency within the NCS
- He directed the NCS to stop collecting the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) levy and the 7% Cost of Collection, both of which he declared illegal under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, threatening legal action by June 30, 2025 if collection continued
- He approved a N1.132 trillion customs budget for 2025, alongside demanding answers on why the NCS — despite generating N6.105 trillion in 2024, exceeding its target by over N1 trillion — recorded funding performance of only 43.53% on personnel costs and 45.68% on capital projects
- He led oversight visits to key area commands including Apapa, Seme, and Murtala Muhammed, assessing revenue performance and operational accountability firsthand
His legislative style has been characterised by legal precision, direct questioning of agency leadership, and a consistent demand for fiscal accountability.
Career Timeline & Major Milestones
| Period | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1975 | Born May 8 in Alu, Yagba East, Kogi State |
| 1991 | Enrols at Alu Community Secondary School; appointed Assistant Senior Prefect |
| Late 1990s | Graduates with B.Sc. Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria |
| Post-graduation | Completes NYSC; earns MBA from Bayero University, Kano |
| 2004 | Joins DIVA ITH STC, Turkey, as Supervisor |
| 2007 | Rises to Nigeria Representative, DIVA ITH STC |
| 2007 onwards | Founds ABYEM INT’L LTD and ABYEM DIVA INT’L LTD in Nigeria |
| March 2015 | Leke Abejide Foundation disburses first N12M to Yagba constituents |
| 2018 | Begins paying WAEC fees for public school students in Yagba constituency |
| February 2019 | Elected to House of Representatives under ADC — 9th National Assembly |
| 2023 | Re-elected for second term — 10th National Assembly |
| 2023 onwards | Extends WAEC payment to private schools across five LGAs |
| December 2024 | LAF releases N100M in interest-free loans for women empowerment |
| 2025 | Approves N1.132 trillion NCS budget; orders halt of illegal customs levies |
| April 2025 | Leads committee oversight visits to Apapa, Seme, and Murtala Muhammed commands |
Key Takeaways
- He won his first election in 2019 without APC backing, relying entirely on community trust built through years of philanthropy
- His legislative work on customs has focused on fiscal accountability and ending illegal levies within the NCS
- The Leke Abejide Foundation has been active since 2015 — four years before he held elected office
- He has paid WAEC examination fees for thousands of students across five Kogi State local government areas
- In December 2024, his foundation released N100 million in zero-interest loans to women in his constituency
Major Achievements and Contributions
Across business, philanthropy, and legislation, Abejide has accumulated a track record that cuts across multiple sectors:
- Built ABYEM INT’L LTD into a leading clearing and forwarding company recognised nationally
- Delivered over N12 million in community disbursements through the LAF from 2015
- Paid WAEC fees for thousands of students across public and private schools in five local government areas
- Renovated health centres, donated to rural electrification projects, and constructed a police station in his constituency
- Benefited over 2,000 constituents through mega empowerment schemes including motorised boreholes
- Sponsored the Nigeria Customs and Excise Management Amendment Bill
- Released N100 million in interest-free women empowerment loans through the LAF in December 2024
- Championed the removal of illegal customs levies — CISS and the 7% Cost of Collection — that had operated without statutory backing under the current NCS Act
Personal Life
Leke Abejide is a devout Christian and serves as an Elder in his church — a role he takes seriously as part of his personal identity and public conduct. He is widely described by peers and constituents as humble, approachable, and consistent in his values.
He is married to Mrs. Esther Modupe Abejide, and together they have three children. He has spoken openly about his faith as a guiding force in both his business dealings and his political decisions, and his public conduct reflects this orientation.
He is affectionately known across Okunland by the title “Asiwaju” — a Yoruba honorific given to a leader who goes ahead on behalf of others.
Net Worth and Financial Profile
Hon. Leke Abejide’s net worth has not been publicly confirmed. Based on his business holdings and legislative career, credible estimates place his personal net worth in the range that reflects a successful Nigerian entrepreneur and two-term federal lawmaker.
His income and assets are derived from:
- ABYEM INT’L LTD and ABYEM DIVA INT’L LTD — his core private business interests in clearing and forwarding
- Legislative remuneration as a two-term member of the House of Representatives
- Board and association memberships, including the Association of Clearing and Forwarding Agents
No specific public figure has been stated by him or verified through official channels, and any estimate beyond these broad parameters would be speculative.
Legacy and Influence
Leke Abejide occupies an unusual space in Nigerian politics: a man who built credibility through community service before seeking power, and who has used legislative office to pursue the same grassroots accountability that defined his pre-political years.
His influence is felt on two levels. At the constituency level, he is regarded as one of the most responsive lawmakers in Kogi State, with tangible infrastructure, education, and healthcare deliverables to show for his terms in office. At the national level, his chairmanship of the Customs Committee has made him a significant voice in trade policy, revenue accountability, and the modernisation of Nigeria’s border management institutions.
The title “Emancipator of Okunland” captures the central narrative of his public life: a son of the region who returned to lift those behind him, not through rhetoric, but through measurable action.
Awards and Recognitions
No formal awards have been publicly documented for Abejide, consistent with his understated public profile. His recognition has come through:
- The landslide electoral mandate of 2019 in a state dominated by a rival party
- Re-election in 2023 confirming sustained constituency confidence
- The title “Emancipator of Okunland”, conferred by community and civic leaders
- Regular citation in Nigerian political and legislative media as a model of constituency-focused representation
Philanthropy and Social Works
The Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF) is the formal vehicle through which Abejide channels his community development work. Key philanthropic activities include:
- Education: WAEC fee payments for thousands of public and private school students across Yagba East, Yagba West, Mopamuro, Kabba-Bunu, and Ijumu LGAs — a programme running since 2018
- Economic Empowerment: N12 million in constituency disbursements from 2015; N100 million in zero-interest loans released to women in December 2024
- Healthcare: Renovation of health centres across Okunland in partnership with community stakeholders
- Infrastructure: Donations to rural electrification projects and construction of a police station
- Social Welfare: Ongoing support for widows, elderly citizens, and students in tertiary institutions
- Boreholes and Water Access: Provision of motorised boreholes to communities across his constituency
The LAF’s reach has since extended beyond Yagba constituency, with a planned rollout of the women’s interest-free loan programme to the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency as well.
Interesting Facts About Leke Abejide
- He won his first election in 2019 under the ADC — a minority party — against the dominant APC, in a state where APC had near-total control. The victory was driven entirely by his personal reputation.
- He began paying WAEC fees for students in his constituency a full year before he was ever elected to office.
- He has served as an Elder in his church for years, describing his faith as the foundation of his approach to leadership and service.
- His committee declared certain customs levies illegal under Nigerian law and threatened the NCS with court action if collection did not stop by June 30, 2025.
- His clearing and forwarding company gave him direct industry knowledge of the customs and trade sector he now oversees legislatively.
- He is known in his community by the honorific “Asiwaju”, a title of respect given to a forerunner and leader.
- He was drafted into partisan politics rather than seeking it out — community leaders encouraged his first candidacy based on his pre-existing philanthropic work.
- The LAF’s N100 million women empowerment fund, released in December 2024, operates on a zero-interest loan model — designed to empower without creating debt burdens.
Conclusion
Leke Abejide’s story is one of service that preceded power and continued long after it was granted. From building a successful business in the clearing and forwarding sector to establishing a foundation that has touched thousands of lives across Okunland, he entered politics already carrying the credibility of a community builder.
At 51 years old in 2026, he holds one of the most strategically important committee seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly, while continuing to invest directly in the wellbeing of his constituency. His approach has always been the same: do the work, show the results, let the people decide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leke Abejide
Q1: Who is Leke Abejide?
He is a Nigerian politician, businessman, and philanthropist representing the Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-Muro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, currently serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise in the 10th National Assembly.
Q2: How old is Leke Abejide in 2026?
Born on May 8, 1975, he is 51 years old as of 2026.
Q3: What political party does Leke Abejide belong to?
He was elected under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in both 2019 and 2023, though he is publicly affiliated with the APC and has not formally defected as of the most recent available reports.
Q4: Who is Leke Abejide’s wife?
He is married to Mrs. Esther Modupe Abejide, and together they have three children.
Q5: What is the Leke Abejide Foundation?
It is his personal non-governmental organisation, established to deliver community interventions in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment across Yagba land and neighbouring constituencies in Kogi State.
Q6: What is Leke Abejide’s most significant legislative achievement?
He sponsored the Nigeria Customs and Excise Management Amendment Bill and has led the push to eliminate illegal customs levies that had operated without statutory backing under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Q7: Where did Leke Abejide go to school?
He earned a B.Sc. in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later completed an MBA from Bayero University, Kano.
Q8: What is Leke Abejide’s business?
He is the Chairman of ABYEM INT’L LTD and ABYEM DIVA INT’L LTD, clearing and forwarding companies serving importers and exporters across Nigeria.
