Omoyele Sowore was born on February 16, 1971, in Ese-Odo, Ondo State, Nigeria. He came from a large polygamous family of 16 children.
From a young age, he had to work hard to support his family, riding his motorcycle every morning before school to transport fish from the lake to his village to sell.
Sowore studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos from 1989-1995.
His studies were extended due to being expelled twice for his active involvement in student protests and campaigns against corruption on campus.
As the president of the University of Lagos Student Union Government from 1992-1994, he organized large demonstrations opposing IMF loan conditions to Nigeria.
Career in activism and journalism
Throughout the 1990s, Sowore continued protesting military rule in Nigeria and demanding a return to democracy. He faced repeated arrests, detention, and torture by the government for his activism. In 2006, he founded the online news agency Sahara Reporters in New York City to expose corruption in Nigeria.
As the head of Sahara Reporters, Sowore used investigative journalism to hold the Nigerian government accountable for its actions. The outlet remains independently funded and does not accept financial support from the government. Sowore also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University.
2019 presidential campaign and arrest
In August 2018, Sowore founded the political party African Action Congress (AAC) and announced he would run for president in Nigeria’s 2019 election.
He campaigned across the country on a pro-democracy platform. However, in August 2019 Sowore was arrested on treason charges for organizing #RevolutionNow protests against the government.
Though granted bail in September, the state security service refused to release him, keeping him detained in poor conditions for months.
He was repeatedly denied access to lawyers and family. Sowore was finally released on Christmas Eve in 2019 after international outcry, but faces an ongoing court case over his charges.
Continued activism and 2023 campaign
Despite facing harassment and restrictions from authorities, Sowore has continued using his platform to advocate for human rights and free elections in Nigeria. He ran again for president in 2023 as the AAC candidate.
Though he lost, Sowore remains committed to empowering Nigerian citizens and holding the government accountable through non-violent civic participation and the democratic process.
