My name is Ade Oluborode, and I am running for the Trinity Seanad Election 2025. My family and I have lived in Ireland for over twenty years. I am a proud mother of three children including a Trinity College graduate and a Trinity Scholar. My youngest is in her leaving certificate year. My professional journey spans diverse sectors, underpinned by a strong commitment to public service, equality, and education.

I am a practising Barrister at the Bar of Ireland, a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland, and an accredited mediator. My legal practice covers general civil areas such as EU Law, Human Rights, Land Law, Employment Law, Immigration and Asylum Law, and Family Law. I have also contributed to shaping and delivery of public policy and human rights including my membership of legal and advisory committees such as legal panels of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission; legal panel of the Department of Justice, and a Board member of the South Leinster Citizens Information Service.

My professional experience extends beyond law into key economic sectors such as government, finance, real estate, academia and public health. I have also provided pro-bono services to community and charitable organisations. My passion lies in connecting with people and adding value to their lives through my work.

I am running for the Trinity Seanad election to help shape Ireland’s future through progressive public policies rooted in equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). I believe our society must move beyond overly-simplistic EDI principles to a more profound state of human elevation, focusing on shared humanity rather than divisive characteristics.

If elected, I will advocate for greater political and social inclusion, including improved accessibility for the elderly and individuals with disabilities to public transport, equitable housing, education, employment, and healthcare services. I will introduce initiatives that strengthen third-level institutions’ capacity to drive Ireland’s economic and social progress while addressing global challenges through innovation. I will also work to strengthen the relationship between the North and the Republic.

My own university education began in Nigeria where I graduated from the University of Lagos with a first-class honours degree in Biology, followed by distinctions in MSc Microbiology. I have a Masters degree in Real Estate, a Masters degree in Public Health, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance. I qualified as a Barrister-at-Law from the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, along with several advanced legal diplomas in Employment Law, Immigration and Asylum Law; and a certificate in Aviation Finance and Leasing from the Law Society of Ireland. My educational background reflects my lifelong commitment to high quality vocation and learning.
As a member of the upper house, I will draw on my multidisciplinary knowledge and experience in law, life sciences, public health, real estate, finance, and government to contribute meaningfully to parliamentary debates, legislative scrutiny, and policy development. My experience as a working mother of migrant background, balancing work, study, and household responsibilities, uniquely equips me to advocate for public policies that support students, including mature students, jobseekers, parents, working and non-working families, and households in inner-city and other institutionally disadvantaged communities. I am also deeply committed to ensuring accountability in government actions.

The change starts with me, but it must not stop there. I am asking for your Number One Vote or any other preference, to help lead our political system and society toward greater equality, inclusion, and shared prosperity.