How Nigerian Adejinmi became Ireland's 1st black female Mayor

Uruemu Adejinmi, a Nigerian woman, has been elected Mayor of Longford County Council in Ireland. But that is only half the story.

Adejinmi's win earns her a series of firsts. She has become the first migrant, first African and first black female to become Mayor in Ireland.

Her journey in politics began in 2016 when she supported a candidate in a local election.

Shortly afterwards, her neighbour asked her to join Fianna Fáil--a conservative and Christian-democratic political party.

“At that stage I became very active. I was going to meetings and fundraisers, travelling to Dublin for the convention and getting involved in every way possible,” Adejinmi tells The Irish Times.

After working the base or grassroots, the immigrant put herself in a position to take advantage of the next opportunity when it presented itself.

Internship

In 2018, she undertook an internship with the Immigrant Council of Ireland, shadowing Joe Flaherty who was a local councillor.

In 2020, Flaherty became a TD (Teachta Dála--a member of parliament) and Adejinmi was co-opted to his seat.

The rest is history.

And now Adejinmi just wants to get the job done.

“There’s a huge silo in getting information across to diverse community groups so it’s been amazing having that link to council offices to share information to migrants to help them to get access to services and support,” she says, adding that she's honoured to have been unanimously elected Mayor.

Uruemu Adejinmi at work as a politician (Nairaland) Uruemu Adejinmi at work as a politician (Nairaland) Pulse Nigeria

Drawing from her Nigerian roots, she now wants to get more migrants into the electoral register.

And she knows that is a tough ask, but doable no less.

“I speak from a Nigerian perspective and one big issue in that regard is there isn’t a great trust with the police force.

"People are reluctant or not willing to engage with police unless they absolutely have to because of experiences back home," she says.

That cultural attitude “takes time for people to get around," she says.

She wants political parties to “engage more actively” with migrants, and gain their trust.

Uruemu Adejinmi and her family (Uruemu Adejinmi on Facebook) Uruemu Adejinmi and her family (Uruemu Adejinmi on Facebook) Pulse Nigeria

“There is no shortage of talent in the migrant community but there is a shortage of community leaders from migrant backgrounds.

“If it wasn’t for my neighbour asking me to join his party I wouldn’t have considered politics,” she says.

Agenda

As Mayor, Adejinmi says her key priorities are jobs and housing.

“I am hoping to lobby for an influx of industry. Hopefully businesses will take a look at starting in Longford and that would help a lot of people who are leaving or commuting because of the lack of jobs," she adds.

She's proud to be African and Irish, she says with a smile, and "wear both hats with comfort."