Babajide Sanwo-Olu Biography

Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a Nigerian politician and the current Governor of Lagos State, one of Nigeria’s most populous and economically vibrant states. He was born in Lagos State on June 25, 1965, to a Christian family.

He obtained his first degree in Surveying from the University of Lagos and an MBA from the same institution. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the London Business School.

Profile Summary

Babajide Sanwo-Olu Education

Babajide Sanwo-Olu was born on June 25, 1965, in Lagos State, Nigeria. He was raised in a Christian family and received his early education at the Government Demonstration School, Gbaja, Surulere.

After completing his primary education, he proceeded to the Lagos Baptist Academy, a secondary school in Obanikoro, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu attended the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he obtained a degree in Surveying. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the same institution. While at UNILAG, he was a member of the Student Representative Council and the Junior Chambers International (JCI).

After completing his undergraduate studies, Sanwo-Olu attended several institutions to further his education. He attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the London Business School, and the Lagos Business School.

He is also a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).

His academic background has equipped him with the necessary knowledge and skills to serve in various public and private capacities.

Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to education can also be seen in his achievements as Governor of Lagos State. He has prioritized education by increasing funding for the sector, building new schools, and renovating existing ones.

He has also launched initiatives to provide free textbooks and other learning materials to students in public schools in the state.

Early Career And Professional Experience

Sanwo-Olu began his professional career in the banking sector, where he held various positions in Lead Merchant Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) from 1994 to 2003.

He later ventured into private business and became the chairman of Baywatch Group Ltd. He also worked as a manager at First Inland Bank, now known as First City Monument Bank.

Political Career

Sanwo-Olu started his political career in 2003 when he was appointed Special Adviser to the Deputy Governor of Lagos State on Corporate Matters. He later served as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry under Governor Bola Tinubu.

He continued to serve in various capacities in the state government, including Commissioner of Establishment, Training, and Personnel under Governor Babatunde Fashola and Managing Director of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Awards and Recognitions

Babajide Sanwo-Olu is married to Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, a medical doctor and administrator. They have four children together. In his spare time, Sanwo-Olu enjoys reading, traveling,

Governorship Ambition and Election

In 2018, Sanwo-Olu declared his intention to run for the governorship of Lagos State under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

He won the party’s primary election and subsequently contested in the 2019 general election. He defeated his closest rival, Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with 739,445 votes, while Agbaje got 206,141.

Achievements as Governor of Lagos State

Since assuming office as the 15th Governor of Lagos State on May 29, 2019, Sanwo-Olu has implemented several policies and projects to improve Lagosians’ quality of life. Some of his achievements include:

• Launch of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme (LSHS) to provide affordable healthcare services for residents
• Commissioning of several road construction projects across the state, including the Agege Pen Cinema flyover, Ojodu-Berger pedestrian bridge, and Lekki-Epe Expressway
• Investment in the education sector through the establishment of new schools, renovation of existing ones, and training of teachers
• Implementing the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda for Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century State, Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu Wife And Kids

Sanwo-Olu has received several awards and recognition for his contributions to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria. Some of his notable awards include:

• Platinum Award from the Lagos State Public Service Club
• Best in Human Capital Development Award from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
• Merit Award from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria
• Merit Award from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria (CIPMN)
• LSDPC Impact Leadership and Recognition Award.