Babajide Sanwo-Olu
- Name: Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu
- Birthdate: June 25, 1965
- Birthplace: Lagos state
- Occupation: Politician
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 the winner of the March 9, 2019, gubernatorial elections by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). He was re-elected in 2023.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu was born on June 25, 1965, in Lagos state. His foray into public service started after decades of accomplishments in the private sector, especially the Nigerian banking sector, from where he retired as a General Manager. The private sector expert started his early education at Government Demonstration School, Surulere and Ijebu-Ife Grammar School, Ogun State.
Educational background
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. In addition, he is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Directors (IOD), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).
Entry into governance
In 2003, Sanwo-Olu was appointed as Special Adviser to the Deputy Governor on Corporate Matters, and later as Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Corporate Matters in 2004. His Excellency, 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, Mr. Sanwo-Olu authored an executable Civil Service Framework designed around the Human Capital Performance Index, which puts Lagos State civil servants among the highest and best-paid in the country.
Highlights & contributions
Some of his notable contributions include setting-up and serving as the pioneer Chairman the Lagos State Security Trust Fund Board, tracking and intelligent analysis of Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) by the various government agencies and parastatals, including the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), for executive consideration and policy making; as well as preparation and publication of the Lagos State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LASEEDS).
Mr. Sanwo-Olu was appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC) in 2016, and in just 2 years, the visionary administrator had returned the hitherto struggling organisation to the path of efficiency and profitability.
Sanwo-Olu's family
Sanwo-Olu is a devout Christian and is married to Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. The marriage is blessed with lovely children. He is a member of numerous prestigious clubs, which include Ikoyi Club 1938, the Island Club, Yoruba Tennis Club and the Clear Essence Health Club.
