EKITI SUMMIT EDITORIAL
TRIBUTE TO PRINCE JULIUS ADELUSI- ADELUYI @85
August 2,2025
Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi‑Adeluyi, OFR, mni ,a prince of Ewi Ado,an Ekiti patriot and a remarkable Nigerian pharmacist, lawyer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist is a phenomenon at 85.
He was born on 2nd August 1940 into the royal family of Ado‑Ekiti, Ekiti State of Nigeria .
He attended St. George’s Catholic Primary Ado‑Ekiti, and later proceeded to St. Thomas Aquinas College, Akure for his secondary school education where he finished with flying colorus .
He obtained his GCE ‘A’ levels from the Nigerian College of Arts, Science & Technology, Ibadan before joining the pioneering class of pharmacy students at University of Ife,(now Obafemi Awolowo University Ile- Ife) graduating in 1965 .
At Ife,he was very active in student politics, served as Vice‑President (International Affairs) of the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) in 1964 .
He was elected as the Secretary‑General of the International Students Conference (ISC) in 1965 at the annual conference in New Zealand, where he built union networks across continents and visited 143 countries .
He led a 17-nation delegation to Nigeria during the 1967 Civil War to promote peace; commended by Head of State General Yakubu Gowon .
Prince Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi worked at Pfizer and other roles between 1968–70, then founded JULI PLC (formerly Juli Pharmacy Ltd) in 1972; the company became the first indigenous firm listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1986 .
Pharmacist Prince Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi returned to school and earned his LL.B. from University of Lagos in 1986, then emerged as the best graduating student at the Nigerian Law School in 1987, receiving prestigious awards including the Chief F.R.A. Williams QC, SAN prize .
He gave pro bono legal aid to prisoners and underprivileged individuals for over three decades .
He was appointed Minister of Health and Social Services in 1993 under the Interim National Government of Chief Ernest Shonekan—he remains the only pharmacist ever to hold that post in Nigeria.
He received the national honours: Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 1986 and Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2002 .
In 2024, Ekiti State University conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Law (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his immense service .
He is currently the Chairman of the MTN Foundation, overseeing initiatives in education, health, youth empowerment, and societal development. Under his leadership, the Foundation has invested over ₦21–₦22 billion across Nigeria, supporting over 900 projects including e‑libraries, scholarships, boreholes, medical supplies, and youth mentorship programs .
He marked his 80th birthday by commissioning an e-library at his alma mater Obafemi Awolowo University to empower students with modern learning tools .
He is described as a soft-spoken, elegant gentleman with a regal aura; an avid reader, writer, and collector of art and photographs. He plays golf—scoring a hole-in-one in 2016—and remains physically fit well into his 80s .
He is a dedicated Catholic, involved in parish activities, music (choir and organist), and church leadership programs .
He is married to Juliana Omosalewa Adelusi‑Adeluyi, with four children and several grandchildren .
Prince Julius Adelusi‑Adeluyi exemplifies excellence in multiple arenas: pharmacy, business, law, and public service. He has built institutions, championed youth and professional development, and dedicated his life to philanthropy. His story stands as an inspiring example of leadership, versatility, and lifelong service to Nigeria.
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