Kehinde Onasanya Bows Out as Ogun 20th Head of Service

ABEOKUTA — History, tradition, and divine grace converged today, Thursday, May 21, 2026, as Mr. Kehinde Onasanya Olufemi officially concluded his illustrious tenure as the 20th Head of Service (HoS) of Ogun State. The exit comes exactly a day before his 60th birthday, marking a glorious double-milestone of statutory retirement and a diamond jubilee.

​Described by administrative experts as one of the most epochal tenures in the history of the state’s bureaucracy, Onasanya’s time in office left an indelible imprint of excellence, reform, and institutional revitalization across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

​A Journey of Grit and Grace

​Onasanya’s rise to the apex of public service is a compelling masterclass in patience, professionalism, and integrity. He commenced his career in the state civil service on December 2, 1993, as a greenhorn Information Officer on Grade Level 08. Over the course of three decades, he quietly built a reputation as a master communicator and a thoroughbred administrator.

​During the administration of former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel (2003–2011), Onasanya served diligently as the Press Officer in the Governor’s Office, working under the media directorate led by the Chief Press Secretary. His exceptional work ethic, loyalty, and “can-do” spirit endeared him to both political leaders and career civil servants.

​By October 2, 2020, his decades of sterling contributions culminated in his promotion to Permanent Secretary, where he brilliantly managed the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and later, the Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration. His track record made his eventual elevation to the position of Head of Service on April 8, 2024, by Governor Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, a merit-driven appointment that was widely applauded.

​A Legacy of Institutional Reforms

​Though his tenure at the helm of the bureaucracy was compact, it yielded massive structural transformations. Onasanya successfully aligned the civil service with the worker-centric development agenda of the Governor Abiodun administration.

​Among his landmark achievements, Onasanya pioneered the introduction and publication of “Service Charters” across MDAs to enhance institutional accountability. He revived the long-dormant Bureaucrats Magazine, drove strategic manpower development through continuous staff retreats, and expanded the state’s public sector health insurance scheme. Crucially, his background as a seasoned PR expert led to the strategic repositioning of Information Officers into Information and Public Relations Officers, elevating the standard of government communication.

​High Tributes at Kuto

​The retirement activities peaked earlier last week at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, during the grand unveiling of his autobiography, aptly titled “When God Favours.” 

​Speaking at the event, Governor Dapo Abiodun confessed that appointing Onasanya remains one of the decisions he is most proud of as governor.

​”For years, you stood in the engine room of Ogun State bureaucracy with quiet strength, uncommon wisdom, unwavering loyalty, and an unblemished record of service,” Governor Abiodun remarked. “Your tenure is proof that when a public servant chooses excellence over expediency, the entire State advances.”

​The event also drew high praise from former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, who expressed immense joy at witnessing Onasanya’s peak. Osoba recalled his own historical role in breaking the old tradition that restricted the HoS pool strictly to administrative officers, a reform that ultimately paved the way for a professional media manager like Onasanya to reach the summit.

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​The Man Behind the Office

​Beyond the official state functions, colleagues, mentees, and friends have continued to flood the media with personal testimonies. To many who worked closely with him—including former media aides and younger information officers—Onasanya was more than a boss; he was a mentor, a guide, and a father figure. He proved that power can wear the garb of humility, and that profound administrative weight does not require a loud announcement.

​As Mr. Kehinde Onasanya steps into a well-merited retirement and celebrates his 60th birthday tomorrow, he leaves behind a public service that is demonstrably more disciplined, innovative, and forward-looking. His life remains an enduring sermon: that with diligence, character, and the favor of God, an entry-level officer can successfully climb to the highest office in the land.