The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has selected Mrs Kudirat Abiodun Balogun (née Adegunwa) as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Mrs Balogun, daughter of industrialist and billionaire Chief Adebola Adegunwa, will contest alongside the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, in the upcoming election.
The nomination of Mrs Balogun followed the announcement by Governor Dapo Abiodun at the APC Stakeholders’ Strategic Meeting held in Abeokuta last Friday that the deputy governorship position had been zoned to the Ogun East Senatorial District. The statement signed by the Media Adviser to Senator Adeola, Kayode Odunaro, on Sunday, said: “The nomination of Mrs Balogun followed the announcement by Governor Dapo Abiodun at the APC Stakeholders’ Strategic Meeting held in Abeokuta last Friday that the deputy governorship position had been zoned to the Ogun East Senatorial District.
Speaking at the meeting, Abiodun said Mrs Balogun was the choice of the party among the many qualified aspirants from the Ogun East senatorial district, which is to produce the deputy governor.
The APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, while presenting the deputy governorship candidate for endorsement by party leaders on Sunday, described Mrs Balogun as a worthy choice, and expressed confidence that she would add value to the APC ticket and contribute significantly to the party’s vision for Ogun State.
Ogun State APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi, who officially announced the nomination, said it was in line with the party’s zoning arrangement after wide consultations.
He noted that Mrs Balogun’s impressive educational background, extensive corporate experience and track record in entrepreneurship development made her exceedingly qualified for the position.
Party leaders said her leadership philosophy is based on integrity, accountability, excellence, service and long-term impact.
“Mrs Balogun is a distinguished corporate executive, strategic finance leader, and advocate of industrial growth, with over three decades of professional experience, across manufacturing, enterprise governance, strategic finance, operational transformation, and business expansion.
She is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Finance and Information Technology at Rite Foods Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in transforming the company from a relatively modest operation into an enterprise valued at over ₦500 billion, with a strong national presence and expanding manufacturing capacity.
Academically, Mrs Balogun has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Lagos and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from Bayes Business School (formerly Cass Business School), London.
“She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). She has also participated in Executive Leadership Programmes at Harvard Business School and The Wharton School, further enhancing her leadership and strategic management credentials.
“Beyond her corporate achievements, Mrs Balogun is well-known for her passion for economic empowerment, women’s advancement, youth development, and nation-building. She champions stronger institutions, industrial growth, responsible leadership, and expanded economic opportunities as routes to sustainable prosperity.
“Mrs Balogun’s professional journey is a unique combination of technical expertise, executive leadership, strategic thinking and people-centred impact. She is widely respected in Nigeria’s corporate and socio-economic landscape for her ability to navigate complex challenges, build sustainable systems, mobilise stakeholders and drive organisational transformation.
“She remains committed to leveraging her experience, leadership capacity and institutional knowledge to drive sustainable development, economic transformation, industrial growth and shared prosperity in Ogun State and Nigeria.
“Mrs Balogun is married with children and her strong family values continue to shape her commitment to service, responsibility and legacy building,” the statement added.
