01/07/2025
Erinjogunola Dayo Israel
Dr. Dayo Israel (LLD Law, D.Div hc) is an Alumnae of the Harvard Business School, Cambridge Judge Business School, the Executive Development Program of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Duke University USA fellow, with a LLB in Law and Masters in International Relations from the London Metropolitan University.
He is the National Youth Leader of Nigeria’s ruling party and Africa’s largest political party - The All Progressives Congress. A member of the Party’s National Working Committee, Dayo chairs the Youth Wing, an arm of the party with an estimated 5million plus young members spread across Nigeria’s 36 State and its Diaspora chapters in over 4 continents.
He was also recently appointed by the President as the Chairman of the Federal Medical Center Abeokuta.
Dayo at 21yrs was specially invited by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to a private reception at Buckingham palace as a result of his contribution to Africa Diaspora Development, and remains the only ever recipient of the Young PEWA (Person Earnestly Working for Africa) Award at the office of the Mayor of London. He was also invited by the Obama Administration to the White House President’s Forum for Young African Leaders in Washington DC. At 16years, He was selected by the United Nations to represent all delegates to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children on a special CNN Live Interview in 2002 and led the Nigerian Children delegation to the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development in Joburg 2002 and the World Water Forum in Japan 2003 among others global meetings.
He was named one of the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (under 40) as part of the 2017 celebration of the UN Decade for people of Africa Descent at the One UN Plaza in New York. Dayo is a member of the British Council Global Change Makers Network, Connecting Futures Program and Fellow of the US State Department International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) that has produced over 400 Heads of Government globally. A Henley Business School Young Leader, Dayo has twice been recognized in 2016 and 2017 as one of 50 UK’s brightest young leaders. He was also recognized as one of the top 25 Promising Nigerian Youths under 35 To Serve Nigeria in 2016 and as one of Africa’s top 30 most inspirational young people of 2013.
As National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria’s ruling party and Africa’s largest political party; Dayo aggressively mobilised Nigerian youths for the victory of Nigeria’s current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by establishing the 200,000 member APC National Youth Wing Campaign Council known as The Jagaban Movement, personally travelling to 36 States to mobilise young voters; as well as pioneering the Operation Deliver Your Street Program for BAT.
He is a Member of the party’s national working committee and a strong voice for the next generation on the decision making table of Nigerian politics. Since his emergence, he has energised the youth base of the party through initiatives such the E-Membership program for the youth wing; and hosted the Progressive Young Leaders Summit that brought together thousands of young people and recently launched the Progressives Young Leaders Award.
As part of his effort to promote youth participation in politics, Dayo secured 50% discount on nomination forms for young people contesting on the platform of the party, as well as campaigning for them. A first in the history of the party leading to 18 new members in the House of Representatives and 1 in the Senate under the age of 40. He has also pioneered various multisectoral training programs for the youths of the party.
Dayo was recently at the United Nations in Geneva, COP 28 in Dubai, The Commonwealth Africa Summit in London and the Raisina Dialogue in India to promote youth inclusion in global affairs, earning him a standing ovation on the floor of the United Nations during the UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent Switzerland.
He served the Government of Lagos State as a Permanent Board Member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, overseeing quality assurance of all public primary schools and continuous professional development of Public school teachers in Lagos State. In his first month in office, Dayo secured millions of Naira of external funding into LASUBEB in particular with a donation of a brand new bus to a special need school through one of his philanthropic contacts. He energised the quality assurance officers of SUBEB and facilitated the improvement of riverine schools and monitoring of rural and riverine teaching and learning. Under his watch and with this support of his then chairman, thousands of teachers and quality assurance officers benefited from continuous professional development programs.
Prior to that, He served as a Legislative Aide in the National Assembly of Nigeria, where he piloted various constituency development projects including youth exchange programs in the UK, US and Canada.
Currently undergoing his Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (EDBA), with his research focusing on Increasing Nigeria’s Public Sector Productivity through Strategic Change Management, Organisational Culture Reform and Technological Innovation. Dayo’s program at Wharton focused on Strategic Consideration in Merger and Acquisition; Operational Excellence and the Link to Financial Performance.
Before venturing into the public sector, he served as Country Director for GLEEHD Foundation. Through his work at GLEEHD Foundation, Dayo helped drive trade and investment between Africa and the West (Europe and North America) through various activities including Trade Delegations, Business Roundtables, Investment Forums and Bilateral Meetings that gave birth to multimillion dollars partnerships. Dayo also consults for Senior Executives and Government leaders in the areas of brand positioning and visibility strategy.
Prior to his role as Regional Director for Africa at GLEEHD Foundation, Dayo served as Special Assistant at the National Assembly of Nigeria, YTI Special Representative to the United Nations, and YGA Ambassador to the United Nations. At the United Nations, he was responsible for overseeing YTI/YGA's Interaction and relationship with the United Nations, Representing YTI/YGA at various UN Meetings and Functions and also leading various advocacies of the organisation, which led to various side events at the UN DPI meetings in Bonn, Paris and New York coordinated by Dayo.
At the National Assembly of Nigeria (Office of Senator Omoworare – fmr Chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business), Dayo was responsible for Strategy Development, Project Design and Evaluation. He was also responsible for Creating and maintaining relationships with Strategic Global partners such as the World Bank, VSO, British Council and other International Organisations etc. Dayo was responsible for arranging the first official visit of the Former US Consul General –Jeffrey Hawkins and the US embassy delegation to the National Assembly of Nigeria – during which the delegation observed the sitting of the parliament and were acknowledged by Senate President David Mark.
His achievements at the National Assembly also included Fostering Trade and Investment Opportunities for his constituents and linking local businesses with international partners in Europe and North America with support from UK Trade and Investment; as well as Supporting his principal in his interactions with International Organisations, Diplomatic Community, and UN entities by working closely with liaison staff and senior officials of those entities. He developed new initiatives concerned with: community development, women empowerment, youth development, renewable and alternative energy, health care, and education, while building partnerships with the funding, civic, and political communities. Dayo created international opportunities for his Youth Constituent through design, development and implementations international exchange programs.
A man of Faith, Dayo began preaching the gospel at the age of 8, holding his first crusade at Evans square in Lagos at the age of 9. He has ministered in large conventions and churches across 3 continents, winning many young people for God and transforming their lives with the word of Faith. He serves as the Spiritual Head for Rehoboth Ministries International, organisers of the Global Youth on the Frontline Conference - which holds in the UK, USA, Canada and Nigeria.
Dayo facilitates many high profile events and meetings to connect Emerging Leaders with stakeholders and senior executives providing opportunity for mentorship and networking for development and growth. Some of his programs have featured World Bank Vice Presidents, Former Prime Ministers, Former and Serving Presidents, Ambassadors and High Net worth Individual.
He co-launched the UNICEF State of the World Children’s Report in 2003 alongside Carol Bellamy and Oscar Award Winner - Vanessa Redgrave CBE. A former student leader, Dayo was the First African to be elected a Student Council Chair at London Metropolitan University and served on the University’s Academic Board with the Vice Chancellor, representing over 30, 000 students on the board. He was also a member of the research and development committee of the University with the Deputy Vice Chancellor during his Post Graduate days.
He has met and addressed so many world leaders like HRM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Prince Andrew Duke of York, Dr. Nelson Mandela, Former Nigerian Head of State - General Yakubu Gowon, Former Nigerian President and current UN Envoy to Congo: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President Goodluck Jonathan, Former Prime Minister Sir John Major, President Roberto Cavaco of Portugal, President Thabo Mbeki, President Jacob Zuma, EU Jose Manuel Barosso, Dr. Kofi Annan, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Prime Minister Dlamini Absalom Themba, Queen Mubarak of Egypt, President Yahya Jameh, President Tejjan Kabbah, President John Kufor, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Foreign Secretary William Hague, UN Scribe Ban Ki Moon and many other Heads of States and Presidents in Africa and Europe.
Dayo’s TV shows – “Dayo Israel in Conversation with” and “COVINSPIRATON” – airs on online platforms and TV stations in Nigeria and Diaspora; and brings to the public conversations that are transformative, informative and inspirational with an intention to inspire thoughts that lead to life affirming changes. The shows features some of the most prominent and eminent leaders cross-sector including Presidents and Heads of Government, Politicians, Musicians, Sportsmen and women, Fashion Designers, Artists, Painters, Writers, Military Officers, and the ordinary unknown who do so much to help others in a very significant way. With discussions spanning Family, Faith, Finance, Politics, Science, Art, Business, Technology, Literature and Philosophy.
As a top ranked keynote speaker, author and television personality, Dayo Israel has risen to national prominence by delivering high energy message and speeches which tells people how to shake off mediocrity, turn their potential into performance and live up to their greatness. It is a message Dayo has learned from his own life and one he is helping others apply to their lives.
In recognition of his exemplary contributions to Youth Developed, Dayo was conferred within Traditional titles in over 7 States in Nigeria including The Danejin Potiskum (Yobe), Hasken MATASA Agaei (Niger), Wakilin MATASA Tunga (NASARAWA), Wakilin MATASA Doma (Gombe), TAURARO Garin Gusau (Zamfara), Bashorun Asoya of Ife Kingdom (Osun), Aminin Jega (Kebbi), KUHE-JIME U BENUE STATE and many more.
An author of books including Journey to Greatness, Audacity to Run, Ready to Run, and Run to Win, Dayo attracts a lot of "positive" media attentions and has featured on CNN Q and A Live, Daystar Christian Broadcasting Network, Iranian Press TV, Nickelodeon, BBC Network Africa, Ben Television, OBE TV, BBC World Service, NTA Newsline, and T.V Africa. He produces and presents the syndicated “Dayo Israel Show” across Europe and Africa. He has made headlines on various national newspapers such as Swazi Today, Ovation Magazine, London Trumpets Newspaper and more etc.