On July 28, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu finally transmitted the much anticipated list of his cabinet members to the Lagos State House of Assembly for ratification.
The list came barely a day to the 60-day statutory deadline for appointment of cabinet members by the President and state governors.
Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, in a tweet, disclosed that 30 percent of the cabinet nominees were women and that the list was composed of young people, technocrats and politicians. The list is expected to be approved by the Lagos State House of Assembly, although the legislators in April questioned some of the governor’s appointments.
Meanwhile, a handful of the governor’s cabinet during his first term in office made the list.
Returning Cabinet Members
Mr Gbenga Omotoso
After thirteen years as Editor in one of Nigeria’s notable newspapers, The Nation, the veteran journalist joined Sanwo-Olu’s administration in 2019 as the Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
During his tenure, Omotoso helped to further amplify the acronym T.H.E.M.E which translates the first term agenda; T- Traffic Management and Transportation, H-Health and Environment, E- Education and Technology, M-Making Lagos 21st Century Economy and E-Entertainment and Tourism.
The former commissioner also effectively managed the dissemination of information during the coronavirus pandemic in Lagos State.
Mr. Sam Egube
The former Budget and Economic Planning Commissioner is a member of the Governing Board of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency.
In February 2023, he approved the N482.86 billion for the “Budget of Continuity” for the continuation of projects like the construction of the second phase of the blue line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko and the completion of eight stadia across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos State.
Under his administration, the Pen Cinema flyover at Agege was commissioned, the LagFerry mobile app was launched and over 900 roads were constructed.
Prof. Akin Abayomi
Prof. Abayomi is a specialist in Internal Medicine, Haematology, Environmental Health, and Biobanking. It is no surprise to see the name of the former Commissioner for Health on the new list as he bagged the award for the Most Outstanding COVID-19 State Health Commissioner of the Year.
His accomplishments in tackling the pandemic situation made Lagos State Government emerge as the most responsive COVID-19 State Government of the Year at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award 2021.
His administration contributed to the management and development of the healthcare sector in Lagos State.
Tokunbo Wahab
As Special Adviser on Education, Wahab oversaw the establishment of more state-owned tertiary institutions and made significant improvements in the state’s education sector.
The National Universities Commission, the regulatory body in charge of universities in Nigeria on February 8, 2022, recognized two new specialised universities in Lagos State, changing the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education into the Lagos State University of Education; while the Lagos State Polytechnic was upgraded to the Lagos State University of Science and Technology.
Wahab is the man behind the collaboration between LASU and Cornell University, New York, for 16 professional certificate programmes to be run by the two institutions for students.
Under his leadership, the state government, under the Public-Private Partnership has signed a Build, Operate and Transfer agreement with six property developers to construct 8,272 units of hostels on the premises of the Lagos State University.
Engr. Aramide Adeyooye
She is a recipient of the Year 2020 National Productivity Centre Award. Adeyoye is also a Board Member of the Lekki Concession Company, the Lagos State Treasury Board (2019, 2020, 2021), and the Lagos State Developmental Plan (LSDP) Steering Committee (2021 – 2051).
As Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, she brought about the construction of the New Massey Street Children’s Hospital and the rehabilitation and upgrading of Adeniji Adeele and Oke Popo/Tapa Streets.
Cabinet members who were dropped
They include the former Commissioner of Finance, Rabiu Olowo, the former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Moyosore Onigbanjo and the former Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Yetunde Arobieke:
More work to be done
Despite the contributions and accomplishments made by the cabinet members and Special Advisers to the Lagos State Government, there remains further work to accomplish in the state.
During his second-term election campaign, Sanwo-Olu promised to execute more projects with the help of his cabinet members and advisors. Lagosians can only hope that the Governor keeps to his words and fulfils his promises.
Below is the full list for the proposed cabinet members:
- Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo
- Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun
- Mr. Rotimi Ogunwuyi
- Mr. Gbenga Oyeriinde
- Mr. Lawal Pedo (SAN)
- Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende
- Hon. Ibrahim Layode
- Dr. Dolapo Fasawe
- Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka
- Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu
- Abdulkabir Ogungbo
- Engr. Abiola Olowu
- Dr. Adekunle Olayinka
- Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada
- Engr. Aramide Adeyoye
- Mr. Idris Aregbe
- Mr. Yakubu Adebayo Alebiosu
- Mr. Tokunbo Wahab
- Hon. Bola Olumegbon
- Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya
- Mr. Kayode Bolaji Roberts
- Mr. Moruf Akinderu Fatai
- Mr. Seun Osiyemi
- Mrs. Barakat Bakare
- Prof. Akin Abayomi
- Mr. Gbenga Omotoso
- Engr. Olalere Odusote
- Dr. Rotimi Fashola
- Mr. Mosopefolu George
- Mr. Tunbosun Alake
- Ms Ruth Abisola Olusanya
- Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo
- Mrs. Folashade Ambrose
- Dr. Olumide Oluyinka
- Mr. Yomi Oluyomi
- Mr. Sam Egube
- Dr. Jide Babatunde
- Mr. Olalekan Fatodu
- Mrs Solape Hammond