‘2027 is a rescue mission’
Politics is her inheritance of which Hon. Bolanle Aminat Sarumi is proud as daughter of Hon Alli Balogun, a former member of the House of Representatives (1999–2003), popularly known in political circle as Alli Bay. But beyond the podium of politics, she is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and educationist with a proven track record.
Born by a British mother on March 22, 1979, in Ibadan, she began her early education at Ebire Nursery and Primary School, Felele, Ibadan, and later attended St. Louis Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Policy from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom, alongside diplomas in Social Work & Welfare, Psychology, and Sociology.
BASA joined the PDP in 2019 when she contested in the Governorship elections, becoming the first woman in Oyo State to run for that seat.
She currently serves as the Academy Resident Director of Tots & TAPS Academy, Abuja, where she is shaping future leaders through education, mentorship, and character development.
Her career in public service spans both federal and state levels. She served as a Special Assistant on Social Development to the Minister of State, FCT (2011–2012) and later as Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde (2020–2022). During her tenure in 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 period, she successfully led the repatriation of over 400 trafficked Nigerians back home, demonstrating courage, compassion, and effective leadership.
An accomplished entrepreneur, BASA is the CEO of Bee’s Bridal Limited, CEO of MIA Uniforms, and CEO of MATTS Productions, with business interests spanning fashion, education, and talent development.
She is also founder of impactful initiatives including the BASA Foundation and Childhood Bridge International Initiative, through which she drives programs such as free CAC business registrations, educational grants to students and orphans across Nigeria, community libraries, artisan support, women empowerment, and youth talent development.
BASA has held strategic political positions in the PDP at both state and national levels and continues to be a strong advocate for youth inclusion, women participation in politics, and grassroots development.
On April 11, 2026 at Molete axis of Ibadan, she formally declared her intention to contest for the Oyo South Senatorial seat in 2027, during which she also launched two empowerment programs: GOT SPIN (Oyo State DJ Competition): A platform for DJs across Oyo State to compete, with prizes including ₦1,000,000 and professional turntables and BASA Oyo South Future Proof Summit, a 3-day youth empowerment summit open to all residents of Oyo South (with voter’s card), focused on equipping young people with skills, opportunities, and direction for the future.
At the declaration, which attracted an appreciable flock of party faithful, she told the audience of her readiness to do them proud and change the narrative for good, adding that the elections next year is a rescue mission to further bring out in her the compassion to ensure girl child is no longer underrated but accorded her inalienable freedom to aspire to her dream position in life.
***Published on April 18, 2026
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