Omoyele Sowore Net Worth, Biography, Age, Wife, Education

Omoyele Sowore is a Nigerian journalist and activist who has built a reputation as a bold voice in political advocacy and investigative journalism. Best known as the founder of Sahara Reporters, Sowore has remained a prominent figure through his political pursuits, legal battles, and outspoken stance on governance. This article examines Omoyele Sowore net worth along with details about his wife, age, tribe, biography, and more.

Early Life and Background

Childhood and Family

Born on February 16, 1971, in Kiribo, a town in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, Omoyele Sowore grew up in a large polygamous family with sixteen children. At just 12, he began fishing early each morning, using a motorcycle to help provide for the family before attending school. This rural upbringing in the Niger Delta deeply influenced his sense of justice and fueled his later interest in media.

Omoyele Sowore State of Origin and Tribe

Sowore hails from Ondo State, which lies in the southwestern part of Nigeria. He belongs to the Yoruba ethnic group, one of Nigeria’s major tribes.

Omoyele Sowore Education

Primary and Secondary Education

Sowore started his education in a local elementary school before moving on to Kiribo Community High School. He later attended Okitipupa Ofedepe Comprehensive High School, both located in Ondo State.

University and Activism

From 1989 to 1995, Sowore studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos. His time there was anything but quiet; he became deeply involved in student activism, leading to two expulsions that delayed his graduation by two years. He served as President of the Student Union Government between 1992 and 1994.

Further Studies Abroad

After completing his undergraduate degree, Sowore went on to earn a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York. His academic pursuits abroad gave him a wider platform and deeper knowledge, particularly in policy and governance.

Career and Activism

Activism Roots

Omoyele Sowore’s activism began while he was still in school. In 1989, he led protests against the conditions of a $120 million IMF loan, which included a controversial requirement to reduce the number of universities in Nigeria. In 1992, he led another protest involving over 5,000 students, during which police opened fire and killed seven participants. These early acts of defiance marked him as a notable figure in student activism.

The June 12 Movement

He was also actively involved in the pro-democracy protests around the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. His participation brought him into conflict with military authorities, resulting in arrests and harsh treatment.

Founding Sahara Reporters

The Birth of the Platform

In 2006, while residing in a small Manhattan apartment, Sowore created Sahara Reporters. His aim was to expose corruption and malpractice in Nigeria through independent journalism.

Funding and Policy

Sahara Reporters is supported by funding from organizations such as the Ford Foundation and the Omidyar Foundation. The platform maintains a strict policy against accepting advertisements or financial assistance from the Nigerian government.

Mission and Focus

The platform quickly became a go-to source for unfiltered news, especially concerning corruption and abuse of power. It has faced numerous legal threats and allegations but remains active.

Political Aspirations

Entry into Politics

On February 25, 2018, Omoyele Sowore publicly declared his intention to contest the 2019 Nigerian presidential election. He launched a political party called the African Action Congress (AAC) in August of the same year.

Campaign and Election Results

Running under the AAC banner, he was officially named the party’s presidential candidate on October 6, 2018. In the 2019 election, Muhammadu Buhari won with over 15 million votes, while Sowore received 33,953 votes, placing him fifth. He also contested in the 2023 election under the same party.

Legal Troubles and Detention

The #RevolutionNow Protest

Sowore was arrested on August 3, 2019, by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) following his call for a national protest under the #RevolutionNow banner. The government charged him with conspiracy to commit treason and defaming President Muhammadu Buhari.

Omoyele Sowore Released

On September 24, 2019, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail under conditions, including surrendering his international passport. However, DSS initially refused to comply with the court’s decision.

Wife’s Advocacy

Omoyele Sowore wife, Opeyemi Oluwole Sowore, led a series of demonstrations at the United Nations Plaza to demand his release. A dual citizen residing in Haworth, New Jersey, she became a key advocate for his freedom.

Rearrest and Final Release

On December 5, 2019, he was again granted bail, but was dramatically rearrested the following day in court. After sustained local and international pressure, he was finally released on December 24, 2019.

Legal Compensation

In 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the DSS to pay Sowore 2 million Naira for the unlawful seizure of his phone during his arrest in 2019.

Continued Legal Action

In March 2022, Sowore filed a human rights lawsuit against the Nigerian Police Force and other agencies, further challenging his arrest and detention.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Omoyele Sowore is married to Opeyemi Oluwole Sowore, a Nigerian-American based in the United States. The couple lives in Haworth, New Jersey, with their children. Although the names and exact number of his children remain private, the family unit remains central to Sowore’s resilience and advocacy work.

Omoyele Sowore Wife Picture

Images of Sowore and his wife have surfaced online, particularly during her advocacy at the United Nations. Her public appearances have drawn attention, particularly during his detentions.

Sibling Tragedy

In 2021, Sowore lost his younger brother, who was reportedly shot in Edo State. Sowore was barred from attending the burial due to a court-imposed travel restriction.

Omoyele Sowore Twitter and Online Presence

Social Media Engagement

Sowore actively uses Twitter (@YeleSowore) to engage with the public, share news, and offer political commentary. His social media platforms have become vital tools for amplifying his message and mobilizing support.

Other Platforms

He is also present on Instagram (@yelesho), Facebook, and LinkedIn, where he shares updates about his activism and political campaigns.