By Femi Awojobi
“There are many trees in the forest, but Iroko was chosen as king ahead of its peers.”
At 70 on October 5, 2026, Senator Ayodele Sylvester Arise stands tall as a rare blend of technologist, businessman, and statesman — a man whose life story reads like a masterclass in vision, sacrifice, and service.
The Technologist Who Brought MasterCard to Africa
Long before politics beckoned, Arise had already etched his name in Africa’s technological history. As Chairman of Card Technologies Limited, he brought the first-ever MasterCard to Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan African region — a feat many at the time believed was impossible.
It was a groundbreaking initiative in Biometric and Identity Management that would later earn him global recognition. In July 2025, at the Titans of Tech Awards held at InterContinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Technology Africa in association with TechTV, alongside the Tech Guru’s Game Changer of the Year Award, for his pioneering role in Africa’s digital payment revolution.
From Boardroom to Political Arena
A successful businessman, Arise first ventured into partisan politics in 2006 when he contested the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship primary alongside notable figures such as Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, and Chief Paul Alabi.
Following post-primary realignments, he was handed the Ekiti North Senatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under President Olusegun Obasanjo, who recognized the strength of his political structure.
He justified that confidence. In the 2007 general elections, Arise not only won Ekiti North Senatorial District in a landslide for the PDP, but his aggressive mobilization also helped the party sweep across the 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. When his main challenger, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, contested the result, the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin ordered a re-run. Arise won again — decisively.
A Senator with National Impact
In the Senate (2007-2011), he served as Chairman of the Committee on Privatisation, a strategic position that placed him in close working relationship with the Office of the Vice President. He built a firm and cordial relationship with then Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who later became President in 2010 after the demise of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
When President Jonathan decided to establish federal universities in states without one, Arise seized the moment. Ekiti was a beneficiary, and he passionately lobbied for its location in his own community, Oye-Ekiti. That singular effort gave birth to the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) today.
The politicization of that achievement was a major reason he did not return to the Senate in 2011 — a sacrifice he has never regretted.
Beyond the university, his tenure remains unprecedented in the checkered history of Ekiti North. He executed projects in all five LGAs of the district and in nearly all communities in Ekiti North, complemented by massive empowerment programmes during his four-year tenure.
A Builder of People
Though he spent only four years in public office, Senator Arise’s contributions to Ekiti and Nigeria far outweigh those of many who spent decades in power. The businessman-turned-politician has deployed his hard-earned resources to build people across the nation and beyond.
It is little wonder that people rally behind him whenever he shows interest in an election or canvasses for a candidate. The name Ayo Arise has become synonymous with humility, truthfulness, hard work, integrity, sincerity, foresight, loyalty, discipline, and selfless service.
His popularity was evident at the last APC primary in Ekiti North Senatorial District, where over 80 per cent of party members queued behind him. The outcome of that primary is now a subject of litigation before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
A Man of Connections and Calm
Superbly connected both in Nigeria and abroad, Arise is an avatar of calmness and oratory prowess — unperturbed even in turbulent times. These attributes have endeared him to billionaire business associates of over four decades, including Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and Dr. Deji Adeleke.
He also maintains strong bonds with childhood friends and associates such as Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority; retired AIG Tunji Ogunsakin; Senator Iyiola Omisore; Mr. Kayode Alufa; Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, and a host of political leaders across the country.
At 70: Deserving of Honour
At three scores and ten, Senator Ayo Arise deserves more than applause — he deserves accolades, respect, and a salute for a life defined by innovation, sacrifice, and service to humanity.
Congratulations to the Iconic Technologist and Distinguished Senator at 70.
Femi Awojobi, a Journalist and Media Expert Writes From Ado Ekiti 080 3764 3696 or kingfemi13@gmail.com.