Femi Saheed, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represents Kosofe II in the 10th Lagos State House of Assembly.
He is a long-standing member of the APC and maintained his loyalty over the various metamorphosis of the party, from its earlier forms as Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to its current incarnation as the APC.
Mr. Saheed joined the House in 2020 through a by-election following the passing of Hon. Tunde Braimoh.
He was elected for his first full-term in 2023.
Early life and education
Born on September 12, 1972, Mr. Saheed began his education at Itire Primary School in Lagos, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1986. He completed his secondary education in 1996 at Government College, Kaduna.
Mr. Saheed’s academic journey is notable for its depth and breadth. He earned a BSc in Economics from Ambrose Alli University in 2007, followed by another Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Resource Management from the University of Calabar, Cross River State.
His quest for further education led him to complete an MBA, also from the University of Calabar, in 2007.
Additionally, he earned a Masters degree in Environmental Science from Lagos State University in 2019 and another Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University in 2024.
He worked as the Head of Enterprise and Rural Banking in the Northern Region at Integrated Microfinance Bank Plc, the first licensed microfinance bank in Nigeria in 2007.
He became a full member of the Chartered Institute of Loan & Risk Management (CILRM) in 2010. His banking career spanned over two decades, giving him substantial expertise in finance.
Political career
Mr. Saheed’s political journey began in Nigeria’s fourth republic.
In 2003, he was appointed the Youth Leader of Ward F in the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, a role he held till 2007.
Mr. Saheed has made significant contributions to his party, both in leadership roles and through his legislative work. His administrative skills were recognized when he was appointed Acting State Secretary of the APC, Lagos State, from 2017 to 2019. In this position, he was also a member of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC in Lagos.
In 2017, Mr. Saheed served as a member of the State Planning and Strategic Committee for the conduct of Local Government Council Elections, providing support for the conduct of successful polls.
In 2019, he was appointed Assistant State Secretary of the APC in Lagos State, a role he held until 2020, when he resigned to fully focus on his legislative duties.
Legislative work
Upon assuming office, Saheed collaborated with his colleagues to co-sponsor and pass several significant bills into law.
These included the Delineation of Lagos State Administrative Divisions, the Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Law, The Lagos State Value Added Tax Law, the Law Establishing the Lagos State Anti-corruption Agency, and the Law Establishing the University of Education and the University of Science and Technology.
He also raised numerous motions on the floor of the Assembly, including calls for the construction of the Agboyi Link Bridge, Ajelogo Mini Stadium, and Magodo-Agiliti Road. Additionally, he condemned the Central Bank’s currency redesign policy, which prohibited the co-existence of old and new naira notes.
He claimed to have provided 400 sets of writing furniture to public primary schools in his constituency through a program called “Sit and Write the Future.” Additionally, he donated two Mass Transit Buses as part of a free school ride initiative, ensuring daily transportation for students. He also offered bursary funds to academically outstanding students.
He facilitated the approval for the reconstruction of Ajegunle High School on its original site and the upgrading of Olowora Primary School to include secondary school facilities. He further supported education development by distributing free JAMB forms.
In support of economic empowerment, he provided cash grants to over 750 petty traders and vulnerable individuals as business support funds.
In July 2024, he announced the commencement of the construction of a stadium, one of ten mini stadia being built across Lagos. The 1,200-capacity stadium, featuring a nine-a-side artificial turf field, is slated for completion in six months, with a project cost of one billion naira.