Omoyele Sowore Biography, Age, Education, Religion, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Social Media Followers, Achievements
Omoyele Sowore Biography
Omoyele Sowore is a prominent Nigerian human rights activist, pro-democracy campaigner, journalist, and politician. Here’s a detailed overview of his life and achievements:
Early Life and Education
- Birth: Omoyele Sowore was born on February 16, 1971, in Kiribo village, Ese-Odo, Ondo State, Nigeria. He grew up in a polygamous family with sixteen children.
- Childhood: At the age of 12, he learned to ride a motorcycle to fish at a nearby lake, providing food for his family before attending school.
- Education:
- He attended Community High School in Kiribo and later Ofedepe Comprehensive High School in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
- Sowore studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) from 1989 to 1995. His academic journey was extended by two years due to his involvement in student activism, which led to multiple expulsions.
- He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University, New York.
Activism and Advocacy
- Sowore’s activism began during his university days, where he served as the President of the University of Lagos Student Union Government (SUG) from 1992 to 1994.
- He led protests against military rule, corruption, and cultism in Nigerian universities. His activism often resulted in arrests and confrontations with authorities.
- In 1989, he participated in protests against the conditions of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, which included controversial terms like reducing the number of Nigerian universities.
Career and Achievements
- Sahara Reporters:
- Sowore founded Sahara Reporters, an online news platform, in 2006. The platform is known for exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and government misconduct in Nigeria.
- Sahara Reporters has become a significant voice for accountability and transparency in Nigerian governance.
- Political Career:
- In 2018, Sowore founded the African Action Congress (AAC) political party and ran as its presidential candidate in the 2019 Nigerian general election.
- He also contested in the 2023 Nigerian general election as a presidential candidate.
- Sowore’s political campaigns focus on anti-corruption, youth empowerment, and systemic reforms.
- Human Rights Advocacy:
- Sowore has been a vocal critic of bad governance and human rights violations in Nigeria.
- He was arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) in 2019 for organizing the #RevolutionNow protests, which called for political and economic reforms. Despite facing legal challenges, he continues to advocate for justice and democracy.
- Academic Contributions:
- Sowore has lectured on Modern African History and Post-Colonial African History at institutions like the City University of New York and the School of Art, New York.
Personal Life
- Sowore is married to Opeyemi Sowore, and they have children together. His family has been supportive of his activism and political endeavors.
Legacy and Impact
- Sowore is widely regarded as a fearless advocate for democracy and human rights. His work with Sahara Reporters and his political activism have inspired many Nigerians to demand accountability and good governance.
Omoyele Sowore Age
Omoyele Sowore was born on February 16, 1971. As of 2025, he is 54 years old. If you’d like to explore more about his life, achievements, or political journey.
Omoyele Sowore Education
Omoyele Sowore has a strong educational background that reflects his commitment to activism and leadership:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG):
- Sowore studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos from 1989 to 1995. His academic journey was extended by two years due to his involvement in student activism, which led to multiple expulsions. During his time at UNILAG, he served as the President of the Student Union Government (SUG) from 1992 to 1994, where he actively campaigned against cultism and corruption.
- Columbia University:
- He earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York. This advanced degree further equipped him with the skills and knowledge to advocate for systemic reforms and good governance.
Omoyele Sowore Religion
Omoyele Sowore’s religious beliefs are not explicitly documented in the available sources. However, he has been vocal about issues related to religion in Nigeria, often advocating for secular governance and criticizing the misuse of religion for political or personal gain.
Omoyele Sowore Net Worth
Omoyele Sowore’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million as of 2025. His wealth primarily comes from the following sources:
- Sahara Reporters:
- Sowore is the founder of Sahara Reporters, a prominent online news platform known for exposing corruption and advocating for transparency in Nigeria. The platform has gained significant recognition and influence, contributing to his financial standing.
- Political Career:
- As a politician and leader of the African Action Congress (AAC), Sowore has been involved in various political campaigns, which have also elevated his public profile.
- Speaking Engagements and Lectures:
- Sowore has lectured on topics such as Modern African History and Post-Colonial African History at institutions like the City University of New York and the School of Art, New York, which have added to his income.
- Advocacy and Activism:
- His work as a human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner has brought him recognition and opportunities to collaborate with international organizations.
Omoyele Sowore Wife
Omoyele Sowore is married to Opeyemi Oluwole Sowore, a Nigerian-American professional and advocate. Here are the details about her:
- Personal Background:
- Opeyemi was born on November 10, 1973, in the United States, making her 50 years old as of 2025.
- She came into the public eye during her husband’s legal battles, particularly advocating for his release when he was detained by Nigerian authorities.
- Advocacy:
- Opeyemi has been a vocal supporter of her husband, leading protests and campaigns for his release. She has addressed international organizations, including the United Nations, and sought intervention from the U.S. Senate and other global bodies.
- Career:
- Opeyemi is a seasoned professional in the corporate world. She currently serves as the Vice President, Head of Consumer Engagement at Teladoc Health.
- Previously, she held executive roles at American Express, Citigroup, and Delta Air Lines.
- Education:
- She earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1995.
- She completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Simon School of Business, University of Rochester, in 1997.
Opeyemi Sowore is not only a supportive partner but also a successful professional and advocate for justice.
Omoyele Sowore Children
Omoyele Sowore has children, but specific details about their names, ages, or personal lives are not widely available in public sources. He has been seen as a devoted family man, and his children reside with his wife, Opeyemi Sowore, in the United States. Sowore has occasionally shared moments about his family, emphasizing the importance of their support during his activism and political journey.
Omoyele Sowore Social Media Followers
I couldn’t find specific details about Omoyele Sowore’s social media followers in the available sources. However, he is active on platforms like Twitter (now X) and Facebook, where he shares updates about his activism, political campaigns, and advocacy for human rights and democracy.
Omoyele Sowore Achievements
Omoyele Sowore has made significant contributions as a human rights activist, journalist, and political figure. Here are his notable achievements:
Activism and Advocacy
- Student Activism:
- As a student at the University of Lagos, Sowore served as the President of the Student Union Government (SUG) from 1992 to 1994. He led protests against cultism, corruption, and military rule, which often resulted in arrests and confrontations with authorities.
- In 1989, he participated in protests against the conditions of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, which included controversial terms like reducing the number of Nigerian universities.
- Pro-Democracy Campaigns:
- Sowore was actively involved in the struggle for democracy during Nigeria’s military rule. He played a key role in the June 12, 1993, protests, advocating for the recognition of Moshood Abiola’s presidential election victory.
- Human Rights Advocacy:
- He has been a vocal critic of human rights abuses and bad governance in Nigeria. His activism has inspired many Nigerians to demand accountability and transparency.
Journalism and Media
- Founder of Sahara Reporters:
- In 2006, Sowore founded Sahara Reporters, an online news platform dedicated to exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and government misconduct in Nigeria. The platform has become a significant voice for accountability and transparency.
Political Career
- African Action Congress (AAC):
- Sowore founded the African Action Congress (AAC) political party in 2018 and ran as its presidential candidate in the 2019 Nigerian general election.
- He also contested in the 2023 Nigerian general election as a presidential candidate, advocating for systemic reforms, youth empowerment, and anti-corruption measures.
- #RevolutionNow Protests:
- In 2019, Sowore organized the #RevolutionNow protests, calling for political and economic reforms in Nigeria. His activism led to his arrest by the State Security Service (SSS), sparking international attention and support for his cause.
Academic Contributions
- Lecturer:
- Sowore has lectured on Modern African History and Post-Colonial African History at institutions like the City University of New York and the School of Art, New York.
Recognition and Legacy
- Sowore is widely regarded as a fearless advocate for democracy and human rights. His work with Sahara Reporters and his political activism have inspired many Nigerians to demand better governance and accountability.
