Gbenga Daniel (born 6 April 1956) is a Nigerian politician who served as Senator for Ogun East since 2023.

While there, he represented the school in debates and quiz competitions – a factor that made him exceptionally popular among his contemporaries and stimulated his inclination towards intellectual pursuits.

In his early years as an undergraduate, he won several scholarships and also became well acquainted with the renowned, Prof. Ayodele Awojobi as one of the best students of the late professor.

[10] Daniel began his professional career as a lecturer in the School of Engineering at the Lagos State Polytechnic during his National Youth Service year.

In 1990, he left Schroeder to start Kresta Laurel, an engineering firm specializing in elevators, overhead travelling cranes and hoists.

[9] As one of the youngest kitchen cabinet members of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Daniel was in charge of the student wing of the Unity Party of Nigeria in 1978 but his sojourn in the UPN was short-lived after his father drove to the University of Lagos with a clear instruction to concentrate on his academic pursuit and leave politics.

After graduation and establishment of Kresta Laurel, Gbenga Daniel joined the Yoruba social-cultural group Afenifere under the then leadership of Pa Abraham Adesanya.

During the struggle against the military juntas and campaign for the reinstatement of the annulled 12 June election, Gbenga Daniel became one of the financiers of the National Democratic Coalition (Nigeria) NADECO providing supports to members who were fleeing the country to seek asylum abroad.

Some of his other achievements while in office include building roads, recreational centres and stadiums in the three senatorial districts of the state, and setting up a University of Education.

However, on the day of the convention, he submitted his letter of withdrawal after a consensus was reached by the party's leadership to zone the position to the South-South.

Daniel led the former vice-president to victory in the presidential primary of the PDP in Port Harcourt despite the predictions of bookmarkers.

[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] In February 2021, Gbenga Daniel officially joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) after two years of leaving partisan politics.

In his remark during the ceremonial handing over of the broom symbol of the party, Daniel stated that his main goal in politics is to foster national unity and the development of the country.

[40] After his tenure as the governor of Ogun state, Gbenga Daniel established the Political Leadership Academy (POLA).