Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was elected the 15th Governor of Lagos State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was declared winner of the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial elections by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, March 10, 2019 after defeating 44 other contestants, representing various political parties, in the election.

A product of resounding victory, Mr. Sanwo-Olu polled 75.6% of the total valid votes cast in the election. His victory at the election is a solid endorsement of his leadership aptitude and the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) politics of development and inclusiveness in Lagos State. As an inspirational leader, with a track-record of performance, his candidacy was welcomed by Lagosians as a continuation of a strong legacy of development in the State.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu, who was born on June 25, 1965 in Lagos State, is a reliable man and astute politician, reputed for his people-centered ideology. His foray into public service started after decades of accomplishments in the private sector, especially the Nigerian banking sector, where he retired as a General Manager of one of the major commercial banks in Lagos.

This accomplished private sector expert, whose innovative mind quickly established him as an exemplary public sector reformer, started his early education at Government Demonstration School, Surulere and Ijebu-Ife Grammar School, Ogun State.

For his higher education, he proceeded to the University of Lagos for a Bachelor’s degree in Surveying & Geo-Informatics, and a Master of Business Administration(MBA) in Management from the same University. Mr. Sanwo-Olu is also an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government, London Business School and the Lagos Business School. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Directors (IOD), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), and Fellow of Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).

In 2003, his eventful career opened to yet another colorful chapter with his appointment, first as Special Adviser to the then Deputy Governor: Mr. Femi Pedro, on Corporate Matters; and later as Special Adviser to the then Executive Governor, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Corporate Matters, in 2004. Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s entry became a reference point for professionalism and excellence in the public service. At 39, he was appointed acting Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget from 2004 to 2005, and became the substantive Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in 2007 following his exceptional performance.

His managerial imprint became noticeable at the Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions in 2007 when he served as the Commissioner. During this period, he authored an executable Civil Service Framework designed around the Human Capital Performance Index, which puts Lagos State civil servants amongst the highest and regularly paid in the country.

A public officer with an impressive record of accomplishments, he was instrumental to the setting-up of Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), a contributory pension scheme, even ahead of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Some of his notable contributions include setting-up and serving as the pioneer Chairman of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund Board, tracking and intelligent analysis of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by the various government agencies and parastatals, including the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), for executive consideration and policymaking; as well as preparation and publication of the Lagos State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LASEEDS).

It is also to Sanwo-Olu’s credit that the LAGBUS Asset Management Limited (LAGBUS) was established to ease the public transportation woes of Lagosians, by complementing the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Lagos State. Mr. Sanwo-Olu also established the Control & Command Centre in Alausa, one of the initiatives of the LSSTF, which significantly improved the capacity of the security agencies to respond to distress calls in a swift and timely manner.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu was appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) in 2016, and in just 2 years, the visionary administrator had returned the hitherto struggling organisation to the path of efficiency and profitability. He also re-engineered the organization to effectively tackle housing deficit in the state, which again validated his credentials as a resourceful leader and problem solver.

His valuable experience garnered from executive-level roles in the private and public sectors has not only distinguished him, but also made him a valuable resource to some notable organizations on whose boards he has served. It is not unexpected that Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s enterprising career in the private sector, his stellar record in public service, and selfless contributions to the society, would have attracted international recognitions and accolades at home. But as a man steeped in modesty, these awards and laurels serve as no more than an encouragement to keep him on the path of service to God and humanity.

As the 15th Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Sanwo-Olu has spearheaded and re-engineered many socio-economic development programs in the State, under his people-focused development agenda, aptly named project T.H.E.M.E.S, representing Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century state; and Security and Governance. At the core of his belief is the vision of a Greater Lagos, a Megacity and State in which no one is left behind; in which all residents can aspire to and enjoy a progressively better, more secure and more prosperous existence, regardless of age and gender, and of ethnic, religious or partisan affiliation.

Beyond Lagos State, Mr. Sanwo-Olu currently serves as Co-Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Media and Communications Steering Committee, a member of the National Economic Council (NEC) Committee on Covid-19, and a member of the Management Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company. In 2020 he served as Chairman of the National Campaign Council for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ondo State Governorship Election, spearheading the successful re-election of the incumbent Governor.

A devout Christian and family-focused man whose marriage to Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu is blessed with lovely children, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, in addition to his love for public speaking, is a member of numerous prestigious clubs, which include Ikoyi Club 1938, the Island Club and Yoruba Tennis Club.