Sarafa Tunji Ishola

Sarafadeen Tunji Ishola
Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
In office January, 2021 –September, 2023
Personal details
Born	(1960-11-25) 25 November 1960 (age 64)

Sarafadeen Tunji Ishola is a Nigerian politician who served as the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. ^[1] He was appointed to the position by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021. ^{[2] [3]} On September 2, 2023, President Bola Tinubu recalled Ishola, along with other Nigerian ambassadors, as part of a broader diplomatic reshuffle. ^[4] He was succeeded by Cyprian T. Heen. ^[5]

Early life and education

Sarafa Ishola was born on 25 November 1960 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, to Alhaji Ibrahim Ishola Tairu and Alhaja Amudalat Ajiun Ishola. ^[6] He received primary education at Oke-Ona United Primary School in Ilugun and secondary education at Nawair-ud-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko.

After secondary school, Ishola worked in pharmaceutical sales at Wellcome Nigeria Limited and earned a marketing diploma from The Chartered Institute of Marketing. In 1981, he completed an investment course at Southwest London College in the United Kingdom. ^[7]

In 1983, Ishola served the National Youth Service Corps in Kaduna State, teaching economics, marketing, and business statistics at the Federal College of Education, Katsina. ^[8]

He joined Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation as sales executive in 1986 and left in 1990 to found Taist Nigeria Limited and Taist Merchants, serving as chairman and chief executive.

In 2009, Ishola attended the Leaders in Development programme at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. ^[9] In 2011, he enrolled in an MBA programme at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. ^[10]

Public service

Sarafa Tunji Ishola was elected chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government in 1997 and served until 1998. ^{[11] [12]} During this period, he chaired the Conference of Local Government Council Chairmen in Ogun State. ^{[13] [14]}

In 1999, he was appointed special assistant to the Minister of State for Finance, Jubril Martins-Kuye, and served until 2003. ^{[15] [16]} In June 2003, Governor Gbenga Daniel appointed Ishola as Secretary to the Ogun State Government. ^[17]

On 26 July 2007, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua appointed Ishola as Minister of Mines and Steel Development, and he served until he left the cabinet on 29 October 2008 following a ministerial reshuffle. ^{[18] [19]}

On 1 July 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari named Ishola among the non career ambassador designates, and the Senate process concluded later that month. ^{[20] [21] [22]} He was posted as Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on 13 January 2021 and assumed duties later that year, with his tenure ending upon recall in 2023. ^{[23] [24]}

References

1. "Sarafadeen Tunji Isola – Oyo State International Business Summit" . Retrieved 2024-11-04.
2. "Envoys' list: Buhari posts ex-ministers to UK, Spain, Emenike to US" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
3. Shibayan, Dyepkazah (2020-07-01). "Debo Adesina on Buhari's 41-man list of non-career ambassadors". TheCable. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
4. Onuah, Felix (2 September 2023). "Nigerian President Recalls Ambassadors Worldwide". Reuters. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
5. africanvoice (2023-10-18). "HM King Charles III bids farewell to Nigerian Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR". African Voice Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
6. "Lisabi Festival: Sarafa Ishola's Grandfather Named Hero of the Year". ThisDay Live. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
7. "Southwest London College Prospectus Archive". SW London College. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
8. "NYSC Alumni Records". NYSC. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
9. "Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Alumni". Harvard Kennedy School. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
10. "University of Ilorin MBA Prospectus 2011" (PDF). University of Ilorin. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
11. Alli, Yusuf (6 May 2021). "His Excellency, Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Nigeria's new High Commissioner arrives UK". African Voice. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
12. Okogba, Emmanuel (10 September 2022). "Amb Sarafa Tunji Ishola's winning streak". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
13. Alli, Yusuf (6 May 2021). "His Excellency, Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Nigeria's new High Commissioner arrives UK". African Voice. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
14. Okogba, Emmanuel (10 September 2022). "Amb Sarafa Tunji Ishola's winning streak". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
15. Okogba, Emmanuel (10 September 2022). "Amb Sarafa Tunji Ishola's winning streak". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
16. "Nigeria: Daniel Appoints New SSG". AllAfrica. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
17. "Nigeria: Daniel Appoints New SSG". AllAfrica. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
18. "Emotions in Ogun as sacked minister returns home". AllAfrica. 2 November 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
19. Okogba, Emmanuel (10 September 2022). "Amb Sarafa Tunji Ishola's winning streak". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
20. "Buhari appoints 41 non career ambassadors". Daily Trust. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
21. "Buhari appoints 41 non career ambassadors (full list)". Premium Times. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
22. "Debo Adesina on Buhari's 41 man list of non career ambassadors". TheCable. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
23. Alli, Yusuf (6 May 2021). "His Excellency, Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Nigeria's new High Commissioner arrives UK". African Voice. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
24. "Tinubu recalls Nigeria's High Commissioner to UK two years after Buhari appointment". Channels TV. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2025.