Longford Local Elections 2024: History maker got into politics by accident

Born in Nigeria, Uruemu Adejinmi was co-opted to Longford County Council in 2020 to replace Joe Flaherty, who was elected a TD.

This is her second occasion to contest the local elections and she is one of four candidates contesting on behalf of Fianna Fáil in the Longford MD.

Her involvement in politics began with the local political internship scheme. Cllr Adejinmi also completed a four month political internship organised by the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

In June 2021, Cllr Adejinmi became Ireland’s first black female African mayor, having been elected as Cathaoirleach of the Longford Municipal District.

Also in 2021, she contested a vacancy in Seanad Éireann, but was unsuccessful. Cllr Adejinmi sits on the Fianna Fáil National Executive.

She has a degree in Mathematics from the University of Benin in Nigeria, as well as a Level Nine degree in Risk and Financial analysis from the Dublin Business School. She also holds an MBA from Athlone IT. In an interview with Ryan Tubridy on RTE Radio One last year, she said that she got into politics “by accident.”

“Public service is a gift that keeps on giving. Longford has embraced me,” she stated.

“We have no shortage of migrants in different communities and I’d like to see them run in every local electoral area, in every county in Ireland. That would reflect the support minority groups are getting and would make for a more inclusive country.”