Adeola Austin Oyinlade

Adeola Austin Oyinlade was born on 6 August 1981 in Akure, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria to the family of Elder and Mrs Oyinlade.[4] Adeola was raised at his father's house at Oke-Aro area of Akure, in Ondo state.[5]

While writing his secondary school certificate examination in 1998 at Akure Secondary Commercial School in Akure, he lost his dad, the bread winner of his family.

His radio talent was discovered by the duo of Ayo Omotosho and Ige Jongbo who were ace broadcasters in Akure, Ondo state. He was recommended as a radio presenter to OSRC 96.5FM Akure, in 2001 after passing an auditioning test. After about six years of working on radio (O.S.R.C 96.5 FM and FRCN Positive 102.5 FM both in Akure) between 2001 and 2006, he moved to UNILAG 103.1 FM in Lagos Nigeria after gaining admission to study law at the University of Lagos, where he produced and presented many radio programmes and the award-winning 'Know Your Constitution' later named "Know Your Rights Nigeria’ he designed to simplify laws in force in Nigeria to the understanding of the ordinary people on the street of Lagos and empower them on their rights.[6]

Adeola Austin Oyinlade completed his Primary school Leaving Certificate at Irotitun Community Primary School, Akure, Ondo state in 1992. He proceeded to C.A.C Adu Memorial High School and Akure Secondary Commercial School, Akure for his Senior Secondary School Education between 1993 and 1998. He sat for the first ever National Examination Council (NECO) in 2000 at the Community High School, Isharun, Ondo state.

Oyinlade completed his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree at the University of Lagos. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called into the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He completed his Master of Laws (LL.M) in Human Rights, Laws of International Institutions, Constitutional Law and Administrative Law at the University of Lagos in 2014.

Adeola is the Principal Partner of Adeola Oyinlade & Co; a fully serviced law firm based in Lagos, Nigeria with special expertise in Litigation; Human Rights; Commercial, Corporate and International Law.

The generality of Nigerians dread any form of contact with law enforcement agents. This is largely borne out of ignorance of their rights under the law. Such ignorance is often exploited by police officers and others to intimidate and harass innocent persons. In taking up the challenge of educating Nigerians on their basic rights and providing legal support, Adeola started 'Know Your Constitution' now "Know Your Rights Nigeria" initiative on radio (UNILAG103.1FM) in 2008. In 2012, he founded 'Constitutional Rights Awareness and Liberty Initiative;[7] a Non-Governmental organization with immense contribution to expanding the frontiers of Human Rights, Democracy to the happiness of people in Nigeria.

He has distinguished himself through his courageous stand for human rights and his pro-bono legal services to the poor as a lawyer in the last 10 years advocating equitable, just and fair society and simplifying human rights laws and safeguards to the understanding of ordinary people on the street in local languages (Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba) spoken by over 100 million people.[8]

Through his ‘Know Your Rights Nigeria’ initiative, Mr. Oyinlade gives Nigerians the legal knowledge to keep them fully abreast of the whole gamut of rights available to them, equip them with the information needed to stand and defend them against infraction.[9]

In 2016, Oyinlade unveiled downloadable "Know Your Rights Nigeria" app (Android, iPhone)[10] and the web version[11] which simplify all human rights in force and constitutional safeguards in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba Languages.[12] The first ever human rights empowerment app in Nigeria has platforms where users chat Mr. Oyinlade and his team of over 50 lawyers daily on human rights issues that arise without monetary charge.[13]

The app has been useful in Nigeria in uncovering systemic human rights violations in Nigeria. His human rights empowerment innovation has being hailed for its free access,[14] speedy dissemination of human rights information,[15] anonymity it confers on users, prevalence of Android and other smart phones users, prompt access to legal help, simplification of rights and safeguards in major local languages with over one hundred thousand (100,000) beneficiaries.[16] The human rights empowerment app by Adeola Austin Oyinlade has been endorsed by national leaders, foreign diplomats and celebrities including the U.S Consul General Lagos; Mr. F. John Bray,[17] Co- Founder of Bring Back Our Girls initiative; Dr. Oby Ezekwesili,[18] Nigerian music sensation; Simi,[19] Popular Comedians; Akpororo[20] and Teju BabyFace Oyelakin.[21]

He has also taken the human right empowerment initiative to the streets of Lagos where over ten thousand people have been empowered with the knowledge of law where he alongside his team of lawyers demonstrated the relevance of the constitutional provisions to people everyday lives. In 2010, Adeola gave out ten thousand (10,000) copies of the Nigeria's Constitution to people including; the Police, transporters, market women, farmers, artisans among others.[22]

In 2011, Adeola brought legal luminaries together for a two-day Human Rights International Conference in March at the University of Lagos. The ECOWAS Community court of Justice Chief Registrar, Mr. Tony Anene-Maidoh; Mr. Femi Falana SAN were among resource persons who empowered about 2,000 participants at the conference which was also aired live to millions of radio listeners in Lagos on UNILAG FM. The annual human rights conference has taken place at the Nigeria Institute of Foreign Affairs and also hosted at the U.S Consulate, Lagos, Nigeria.

Mr. Oyinlade's human rights work has been commended globally[23] including the world lawyers body like International Bar Association (IBA),[24] world leaders and governments.[25] For example, the U.S Consul General F. John Bray while giving remarks at the U.S Consulate Lagos in April 2018 said "I want to acknowledge Mr. Adeola Austin Oyinlade and the work he has done to strengthen respect and support for the protection of human rights in Nigeria"[26] The US Consul General sees his human rights work in Nigeria very key to the needed development in Africa. According to the U.S Envoy, Nigeria is "one of the most important countries on the continent, given its large population, thriving commercial enterprises, and strategic geopolitical location Nigeria is critical to Africa's prosperity and stability ".[27]

Adeola Oyinlade wins the International Bar Association (IBA) Human Rights Award 2018 in Rome, Italy

At the continental level; through advocacy, Mr. Oyinlade has also proffered solutions to human rights issues in Africa including the Jailed Angolan Activist crisis,[28] jailed Aljazeera journalist Crisis in Egypt,[29] the Central African Republic Crisis, the Congo Democratic Republic Armed conflict, Prison congestion in Nigeria[30] among many others.

He has also set up a training unit in Lagos, Nigeria for young lawyers, law students and volunteers to enhance the quality of the empowerment offered locally to victims of human rights in Nigeria.

At the regional level, Adeola has worked with the issue of "alternative dispute resolution" and championed peace in the continent of Africa over the years. His main focus in the continent of Africa as a United Nations Peace Ambassador is to involve the parties in dialogue instead of continued conflict. He created a model that shows that reconciliation, settlement and peace-building in Africa is possible especially where large and fresh post conflict wounds still exist. His peace-building work is vital experiences and ideas of the great value for global peace. He has intervened in and proffered solutions to humanitarian crises and armed conflict issues in many African countries with relative impact. His non-violent campaigns include the Libya Peace Talks, Niger and Malian insurgency Crisis,[31] South Sudan Crisis, Central African Republic’ Sectarian Violence, South Africa's xenophobic attacks, Migrant Crises[32] among many others.

As a public speaker, Adeola has graced United Nations, African Union and other Intergovernmental and international organizations’ speaking platforms in many cities across Nigeria and around the world such as Abuja, Lagos, Addis Ababa, Paris, Nairobi, Baku, Azerbaijan, Rome, Frankfurt and Vienna etc.

Adeola speaking at the 7th UNESCO Youth Forum 2011 in Paris, France in 2011.

In April 2011, he addressed the plenary sessions of the African Union's African Youth Forum 2011 (Pre-AU Summit) on 'Readiness to reform National Laws and Legislation in compliance with the African Youth Charter' in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; the 7th UNESCO Youth Forum Youth Voice for Change in Paris, France in 2011, on 'Youth-led social innovation in Africa [33] '; the UNHABITAT and UNDP co-organized YOUTH 21 Forum 2012 in Nairobi, Kenya on 'Intergenerational Dialogue on Africa, Youth Socio-Economic and Political Participation; the Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA) Conference on 'Legal services and Human Rights Ideas'; the African Union's Youth Experts meetings on the promotion of African Youth Charter; the National Youth Conference on Constitution Review in Abuja in 2012 on 'Evolving a people's constitution: Issues and processes ’; He delivered a paper titled Freedom of Information in Nigeria; Challenges and way out at the University of Lagos and University of Oxford, UK 1st West African Regional Round of the Price Media Law Moot Court Competition Conference on 6 February 2017 at the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos, Nigeria and many others.

As a law expert and Public Affairs Analyst, Adeola has featured regularly and aired his opinion on issues of different thematic areas on local and international media such as Television Continental (TVC News), Channels Television,[34] BBC,[35] IBA TV,[36] TV 360 Nigeria[37] among others.

He has written many articles[38] and spoken[39] at several symposia[40] on national issues including good governance, peace building,[41] rule of law,[42] anti corruption, security, constitutionalism, ICC and African leadership,[43] Nigeria-US relations[44] and many others.

Adeola has consistently mentored Nigerian youth in areas of youth policy, human rights, democracy for over a decade and he is regularly invited to speak at youth fora within and outside Nigeria.[45] As a resource person to the African Union Commission (Youth Division) on the implementation of African Youth Charter, he has offered his technical expertise to the continental body on how to use African Youth Charter as a tool of accelerating youth empowerment for sustainable development in Africa.[46]

He was also appointed by the African Union Commission in 2012 as a consultant to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Secretariat on youth development data covering 14 West African countries in compliance with the implementation of the African Union Youth Decade Plan of Action.

Adeola is also a co-founder[47] of the African Network of Youth Policy Experts[48] launched in Baku, Azerbaijan in October 2014. The international organisation is working on youth policy issues in Africa.[49] His passion for national and international development has brought him under the same roof with many national and international leaders such as the then UN Secretary General; Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Mr. Thabo Mbeki among other dignitaries.

Adeola speaking at the International Bar Association Conference in Rome, Italy

His contribution and 'interest in and support of the United Nations' was acknowledged and commended by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary General. His UN-recognized commitment to the development of the then Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through his writings include; 'Millennium Development Goals; obstacles and ways of tackling them' in 2007, 'Contribution of Higher Institutions to achieving the Millennium Development Goals' in 2008 and 'importance and benefits of promoting MDGs through football tournaments' in 2009 with a minute video linking the MDGs with the spirit of football where goals count and a call on everyone to score those goals.[50]

He is an advocate of Sustainable Development Goal 16;[51] Peace, Justice and strong institution with interest and support on how the United Nations[52] can achieve global peace and security.

• In May 2009, he was named the 'Youth Achiever', by the African Newspaper of Nigeria Plc, Saturday Tribune in Nigeria for educating Nigerians on their rights and for his 'interest in and support of the United Nations' through his series of research carried out on MDGs (See page 39 of the Saturday Tribune published on 30 May 2009)
• In May 2010, he was commissioned as the United Nations Young Ambassador for Peace for his immense contribution and campaign as a young Nigerian promoting peace in Nigeria[53]
• In August 2010, he was named the 'Sunshine Youth Ambassador' by the Citizen Reporters; a recognition for the Ondo state great and illustrious sons and daughters in Nigeria for his excellence, passion and dedication to the service of humanity via 'the Know Your Constitution' project.
• In October 2010, he was selected for the Nigeria Leadership Initiative's future Leaders Fellowship. Nigeria Leadership Initiative is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.. Same year, he was appointed the Youth Coordinator of the Maiden edition of Kuramo Conference 2010[29] by the Lagos state Government.
• In November 2010, Adeola Oyinlade was declared winner of the 7th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards, LEAP AFRICA Awards, November 2010, Lagos, Nigeria for being an agent of change by using law as a tool of problem-solving in Nigeria.
• For being the voice of the voiceless in Nigeria via his 'Know Your Constitution' project, Adeola was described as the 'Face of the Future' by the Westerner Magazine. (See vol.2 No.34 edition of the Westerner Magazine published on 29 November 2010 in Nigeria)
• As a UN peace Ambassador promoting respect for human rights, offering probono legal services to the poor, he was described as 'A Man of the People' by NEXT Newspaper. (See Page 19, Tuesday edition of Next Newspaper published on 21 December 2010 in Lagos, Nigeria)
• In April and November 2011, he was invited by the African Union to facilitate African Youth Forum sessions and Youth Experts meeting respectively as a youth expert.
• IIP DIGITAL of the US Department of State website, Washington DC, United States in May 2011 featured Adeola on its site 'for helping Nigerians to know their rights' and his contribution towards the development of Africa. Same 2011, he was selected as the only youth judge of the prestigious annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards by LEAP Africa
• He won the Democracy and Rule of Law Category of the Top 12 National Youth Awards of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Young Star Foundation, Abuja, Nigeria in November 2011.
• In 2011, he was a Finalist, Bremen Peace Awards 2011 of Threshold Foundation for Exemplary Commitments to Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in Germany for "taking the legal path to justice" in Nigeria.[54]
• In March 2012, UNDP and UNHABITAT selected Adeola alongside the Benin Republic Permanent Representative to the UN to lead a session on Intergenerational Dialogue on Africa, Youth Socio-Economic and Political Participation. At the UN House in Kenya. Nairobi. Same year, he was appointed by the African Union Commission to ECOWAS Secretariat in implementing a project in line with the AU Youth Decade Plan of Action.
• In 2013, he was selected by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations alongside other young leaders across the world to meet the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon at the 5th UNAOC Forum in Vienna, Austria.
• In 2013, he was named a member of the Technical Sub-Committee on Volunteers for the World Economic Forum on Africa, Nigeria 2014
• In 2014, he was invited alongside his Colleague from Morocco, Karima Rhanem, as co-Founders of the African Network of Youth Policy Experts to launch the network at the UN Backed First Global Forum on Youth Policy anchored by Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, the United Nations Secretary-General Envoy on Youth in Baku Azerbaijan.[55]
• In December 2014, Youth Action Network for Human Rights made a 13-minute documentary in commemoration of International Human Rights Day 2014 by profiling Adeola's work to inspire youth across the world in taking the lead in human rights promotion and protection.[56]
• In January 2015, he was appointed by the Commonwealth Youth Council' as its (CYC) Youth Campaign Against Election Violence (Y-CAEV) Ambassador in Nigeria. [43]
• In 2015, he was selected as the Crans Montana Forum New Leader Fellow, Geneva, Switzerland.
• Adeola Austin Oyinlade was named among Top Under 40 CEOs in Nigeria [57]
• Legal Personality of the Week courtesy THISDAY Newspapers; a leading daily Newspaper in Nigeria published on 4 December 2018.
• In October 2018, Mr. Oyinlade was declared winner of the International Bar Association (IBA) Human Rights Award[58] for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights in Rome, Italy.[59] He gave an historic acceptance speech which earned him standing ovation from all legal experts across the world who gathered at Roma Convention Center La Nuvola, Rome Italy (Watch His acceptance video)[60]

• Know Your Constitution Initiative