FROM KORO EKITI, KWARA TO NOTTINGHAMSHIRE: CHRISTOPHER ADEGOKE MAKES HISTORY IN BRITAIN
…Nigerian-born Public Servant Becomes First Black Chairman Of Nottinghamshire County Council
By Femi Alufa
NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM – Councillor Christopher Adegoke, an indigene of Koro in Ekiti area of Kwara State, Nigeria, became Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council on 14 May 2026, making history as its first Black chairman since 1889.
Born in Kaduna, Adegoke attended schools in Kaduna, Lagos and Ilorin before studying History and Public Administration at Kwara State Polytechnic and the University of Ilorin.
His late father, Oba Elijah Adegoke Oyun, was the Olu Koro of Koro. His upbringing instilled values of leadership, education and community service.
Adegoke was elected to the council on 1 May 2025, representing Hucknall West for Reform UK. He became Vice-Chairman that year before succeeding Councillor Jan Goold as Chairman.
Before entering politics, he worked in international education and public administration, including overseeing more than 400 government-sponsored international students. He says his priorities are approachability, fairness and serving all residents.
His wife, Imah, and their two children have celebrated his achievement, which reflects his family’s values and offers inspiration to future generations.
Adegoke remains proud of his Nigerian and Kwara heritage. During his 2026/27 civic year, he chose When You Wish Upon a Star, a Nottingham charity supporting children with life-threatening illnesses, as his Chairman’s charity.
His achievement was also recognised in Nigeria when Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, visited him in the United Kingdom in July 2026.
From Koro to Nottinghamshire, Adegoke’s journey reflects heritage, leadership and public service across borders.
Christopher Adegoke has taken his seat in Nottinghamshire’s civic chair – but he has not left Koro behind.
