Dauda Soroye Adegbenro

Alhaji Oloye, Dauda Soroye Adegbenro (1909-1975) was a Nigerian politician, a national leader of the Action Group (AG) Party and Minister of Land and Labour. He was revered by his people in Abeokuta, who conferred on him the chieftaincy titles of Balogun of Owu Egba and Ekerin of Egbaland.

Early life He was born in 1909 in Ago-Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Dauda Soroye Adegbenro attended African School, Owowo for his primary education before proceeding to Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta and Abeokuta Grammar School for his secondary education.

Career He began his career with the Nigerian Railway Corporation as a clerk from 1930 to 1937. After that, he worked as a storekeeper with the United African Company. Though the election results favoured the NCNC, post-elections defections gave the AG the majority.

Following the Action Group Crisis that plunged the Western Nigeria into deep political crisis which subsequently engulfed the whole county, Adegbenro was suspended from office in the ensuing military coup of 1966. He led the Action Group when Awolowo and other leaders of the party were imprisoned.

During the Nigerian Civil War, he was Minister for Trade and Industry. He withdrew from politics in 1971. He died in 1975

Descendants

Popular Nigerian Alte artist Odunsi the Engine is his grandson