Babajide Sanwo-Olu

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Babajide Sanwo-Olu

| image =

| image_size = 230px

| alt = Portrait of Babajide Sanwo-Olu

| caption =

| order = 15th

| office = Governor of Lagos State

| term_start = 29 May 2019

| term_end =

| deputy = Obafemi Hamzat

| predecessor = Akinwunmi Ambode

| successor =

| birth_name = Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu{{cite web |title=PROFILE: Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, Nigeria [2019 — ]|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/profiles/438302-profile-babajide-sanwo-olu-governor-of-lagos-nigeria-2019.html?tztc=1 |website=Premium Times |date=24 January 2021 |access-date=10 March 2023}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|6|25|df=y}}{{cite web |title=Buhari salutes Sanwo-Olu at 57|url=https://guardian.ng/news/buhari-salutes-sanwo-olu-at-57/ |website=The Guardian |date=25 June 2022 |access-date=10 March 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Olafusi |first1=Ebunoluwa |title=He is a prime example of excellence' — Tinubu hails Sanwo-Olu at 57|url=https://www.thecable.ng/he-is-a-prime-example-of-excellence-tinubu-hails-sanwo-olu-at-57/amp |website=The Cable |date=25 June 2022 |access-date=10 March 2023}}{{cite web |title=Akeredolu greets Sanwo-Olu at 57|url=https://guardian.ng/news/akeredolu-greets-sanwo-olu-at-57/ |website=The Guardian |date=25 June 2022 |access-date=10 March 2023}}

| birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria

| spouse = Ibijoke Carrena

| party = All Progressives Congress

| children = 4{{cite news|url=https://newswirengr.com/2022/06/21/babajide-sanwo-olu-biography-age-education-wife-children-political-career-and-more/|title=Babajide Sanwo-Olu: Biography, Age, Education, Wife, Children, Political Career and More|work=NewsWireNGR|date=21 June 2022|access-date=22 January 2025}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|banker}}

| alma_mater = {{plainlist|

}}

| website = {{plainlist|

{{URL|https://babajidesanwoolu.com/|Personal website}}
{{URL|https://governor.lagosstate.gov.ng/|Official website}}

}}

Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (born 25 June 1965) is a Nigerian politician who has served as the governor of Lagos State since 2019.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-11 |title=2023 Presidency: Sanwo-Olu mobilises APC leaders, communities for Tinubu |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/02/2023-presidency-sanwo-olu-mobilises-apc-leaders-communities-for-tinubu-2/ |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-US}}

Sanwo-Olu became governor under the platform of the All Progressives Congress after winning the APC gubernatorial primaries against then-incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode who had fallen out of favour with his alleged political sponsor.{{cite news |last1=Adekunle |title=Breaking: Ebri's panel declares Sanwo-Olu winner of Lagos APC primary |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/breaking-clement-ebri-declares-sanwo-olu-winner-of-lagos-apc-primary/amp/ |accessdate=3 October 2018 |agency=Vanguard |date=3 October 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Opejobi |first1=Seun |title=Tinubu 'anointed' candidate, Sanwo-Olu defeats Ambode in Alausa |url=https://www.dailypost.ng/2018/10/02/tinubu-anointed-candidate-sanwo-olu-defeats-ambode-alausa/amp/ |accessdate=3 October 2018 |agency=Daily Post |date=2 October 2018}} He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, London Business School, Lagos Business School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Before his gubernatorial ambition, he was the managing director and CEO of Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC).{{cite news |last1=Nwafor |first1=Polycarp |title=Babajide Sanwo-Olu: the cool, calm, dynamic technocrat who wants to unseat Ambode |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/babajide-sanwo-olu-the-cool-calm-dynamic-technocrat-who-wants-to-unseat-ambode/amp/ |accessdate=2 October 2018 |agency=Vanguard |date=12 September 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Olasupo |first1=Abisola |title=Ambode's deputy declares support for Sanwo-Olu |url=https://guardian.ng/news/ambodes-deputy-declares-support-for-sanwoolu/amp/ |accessdate=3 October 2018 |agency=Guardian |date=2 October 2018}}{{Cite web |date=2023-03-06 |title=Igbo group endorses Sanwo-Olu for second term |url=https://punchng.com/igbo-group-endorses-sanwo-olu-for-second-term/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}

Education

Sanwo-Olu briefly attended Government Demonstration School, Gbaja Surulere before moving to Ijebu-Ife Grammar School, Ogun State to complete his secondary education.{{Cite web |author=Daily Post Staff |date=2019-03-01 |title=Infographic on Sanwo-Olu's biography |url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/03/01/infographic-sanwo-olus-biography-see-attachment/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}} He has a BSc in Surveying and an MBA from the University of Lagos.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-24 |title=PROFILE: Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, Nigeria [2019 --- ] |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/profiles/438302-profile-babajide-sanwo-olu-governor-of-lagos-nigeria-2019.html |access-date=2022-02-28 |language=en-GB}} He is an alumnus of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, the London Business School and the Lagos Business School.{{cite news |last1=Olafusi |first1=Ebunoluwa |title=CLOSE-UP: Ex-UBA official, UNILAG graduate… meet Sanwo-Olu, Ambode's challenger |url=https://www.thecable.ng/close-up-ex-uba-official-unilag-graduate-meet-sanwo-olu-ambodes-challenger/amp |accessdate=2 October 2018 |agency=The Cable Nigeria |date=13 September 2018}}

He is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).{{cite news |last1=Lawal |first1=Nurudeen |last2=Omotayo |first2=Joseph |title=14 facts you should know about Lagos governor-elect |url=https://www.legit.ng/amp/1196017-14-facts-babajide-sanwo-olu-lagos-governor-elect.html |accessdate=26 March 2019 |agency=legit.ng |date=11 March 2019}}

Career

= Banking =

Sanwo-Olu was the treasurer at the former Lead Merchant Bank from 1994 to 1997, after which he moved to the United Bank for Africa as the head of foreign money market. He then proceeded to First Inland Bank, Plc (now First City Monument Bank) as a deputy general manager and divisional head. He later became the chairman of Baywatch Group Limited and First Class Group Limited.{{cite news |title=CLOSE-UP: Ex-UBA official, UNILAG graduate… meet Sanwo-Olu, Ambode's challenger|url=https://www.thecable.ng/close-up-ex-uba-official-unilag-graduate-meet-sanwo-olu-ambodes-challenger/amp |newspaper=The Cable Newspaper|date=13 September 2023 }}

= Public service =

Sanwo-Olu began his political career in 2003, when he was appointed a special adviser on corporate matters to the then deputy governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro. He was later made the acting Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget until 2007, when he was appointed as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry by Governor Bola Tinubu. After the General Elections of 2007, Sanwo-Olu was appointed Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions by Governor Babatunde Fashola. Sanwo-Olu was made Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2016.{{cite news |last1=Egbas |first1=Jude |title=7 Things to know about the man who could become the next Governor of Lagos |url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/7-things-to-know-about-sanwo-olu-who-could-become-lagos-gov-id8849848.html |accessdate=3 October 2018 |agency=Pulse Nigeria |date=13 September 2018}}

Some of his notable public sector achievements include the supervision of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) privatisation projects. He set up and was the pioneer board chairman of Lagos Security Trust Fund. The LAGBUS System and the Control & Command Centre in Alausa Ikeja were subsequently established under his directives.

= Politics =

On 16 September 2018, Sanwo-Olu formally declared his intention to run for the office of the governor of Lagos State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) making him a major contender to the incumbent governor Akinwunmi Ambode.{{cite news |last1=Adeniji|first1=Gbenga |title=Sanwo-Olu formally declares ambition, PDP reiterates offer to Ambode |url=https://punchng.com/sanwo-olu-formally-declares-ambition-pdp-reiterates-offer-to-ambode/|accessdate=3 October 2018 |agency=Punch Nigeria Newspaper|date=17 September 2018}}

His declaration attracted endorsements from major stakeholders in Lagos State politics, including the famous in-house political group, Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress, the Governor's Advisory Council {{cite news |last1=Adeniji|first1=Gbenga |title=GAC endorses Sanwo-Olu for Lagos APC gov ticket |url=https://punchng.com/gac-endorses-sanwo-olu-for-lagos-apc-gov-ticket/|accessdate=3 October 2018 |agency=Punch Nigeria Newspaper|date=30 September 2018}} and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.{{cite news |last1=Adeniji|first1=Gbenga |title=Lagos APC primary: 36 lawmakers back Sanwo-Olu |url=https://punchng.com/lagos-apc-primary-36-lawmakers-back-sanwo-olu/|accessdate=3 October 2018 |agency=Punch Nigeria Newspaper|date=29 September 2018}} This would lead to the withdrawal of Obafemi Hamzat,{{cite news |last1=Adeniji|first1=Gbenga |title=Lagos APC gov primary: Hamzat steps down for Sanwo-Olu|url=https://punchng.com/breaking-hamzat-steps-down-for-sanwo-olu/|accessdate=3 October 2018 |agency=Punch Nigeria Newspaper|date=29 September 2018}} who had also declared interest to contest the position.{{Cite web |last=TheCable |date=2018-09-29 |title=Hamzat steps down for Sanwo-Olu ahead of Lagos APC guber primary |url=https://www.thecable.ng/just-hamzat-steps-sanwo-olu-ahead-lagos-apc-guber-primary/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=TheCable |language=en-US}}

Sanwo-Olu won the Lagos gubernatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress on 2 October 2018. At the APC flag-off campaign rally held on 8 January 2019, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, and several other political parties pledged their support for the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu.{{cite news|last1=Oyewole|first1=Nurudeen|title=Gunshots at Lagos APC rally as 63 parties endorse Sanwo-Olu|url=https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gunshots-at-lagos-apc-rally-as-63-parties-endorse-sanwo-olu/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609103710/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gunshots-at-lagos-apc-rally-as-63-parties-endorse-sanwo-olu|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 June 2021|accessdate=10 January 2019|agency=Daily Trust Newspaper|date=8 January 2019}} In a landslide victory over his main opponent, Jimi Agbaje, Sanwo-Olu was elected to the office of governor of Lagos State at the 2019 Lagos State gubernatorial election held on 9 March 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/live/tori-47468810|title=INEC result: Kano Govnorship Elections dey INCONCLUSIVE! – BBC Pidgin}} He was sworn in as the 15th governor of Lagos State at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos Island on Wednesday 29 May 2019.{{cite news |last1=Oak |first1=TV |title=BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu officially takes over from Ambode |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/sanwo-olu-officially-takes-ambode/ |accessdate=3 June 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=29 May 2019}}

He has been working on different development activities, one of which is massive road construction in major areas across the state. In 2020, Sanwo-Olu asked that the statue of Fela Kuti that was erected by Akinwunmi Ambode be removed from Allen Avenue in Ikeja, to ease the situation of traffic in that area.{{cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/sanwo-olu-tears-down-felas-statue-on-allen-avenue/x8qqy0l |title=Sanwo-Olu pulls down Fela's statue to ease traffic |website=Pulse NG |date=14 January 2020}} He commissioned the Oshodi - Abule-Egba BRT Lane amongst other projects in 2020.{{cite news |title=Sanwo-Olu commissions Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT corridor |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/sanwo-olu-commissions-oshodi-abule-egba-brt-corridor/ |newspaper=The Nation Newspaper|date=11 August 2020 }}

He was reelected governor under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Lagos State gubernatorial election held on 18 March{{cite news |title=It's official: Sanwo-Olu re-elected Lagos governor|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-west/588993-breaking-sanwo-olu-re-elected-lagos-governor.html |newspaper=Premium Times|date=20 March 2023 }} defeating Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) who came first runner up and AbdulAzeez Olajide ‘Jandor’ Adediran of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who came second runner up in a deeply violent and hate speech{{cite news |title= Post Election Lagos -Dousing Ethnic Tension |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/c105-saturday-magazine/post-election-lagos-dousing-ethnic-tension-and-task-before-sanwo-olu/|newspaper=Guardian Nigeria|date=1 April 2023}} charged election that fuelled ethnic tensions.{{cite news |title=US observers witness violence in Lagos |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2023/03/21/our-observers-witnessed-violence-in-lagos-elsewhere-us-mission-restates-visa-restriction-plans/amp/ |newspaper=Channels Newspaper|date=21 March 2023}}{{cite news |title=Sanwo-Olu reelected in Lagos |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/03/breaking-inec-declares-sanwo-olu-winner-of-lagos-governorship-election/amp/?bshm=foot/2,foot/2 |newspaper=Vanguard Nigeria Newspaper|date=19 March 2023 }}

The re-election of Sanwo-Olu was contested by both Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) and Olajide Adediran of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They alleged that Sanwo-Olu's deputy, Obafemi Hamzat was unqualified to contest the election because, according to them, he had renounced his Nigerian citizenship, and that Sanwo-Olu presented a forged high school certificate.{{cite news |title=Rhodes-Vivour, Jandor file petition against Sanwo-Olu, others |url=https://guardian.ng/news/rhodes-vivour-jandor-file-petition-against-sanwo-olu-others/ |newspaper=The Guardian Newspaper|date=12 April 2023 }}

On Monday, 25 September 2023, the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal threw out both Jandor's and Rhodes-Vivour's petitions and affirmed Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat as duly elected governor and deputy governor of Lagos State.{{cite news |title=Tribunal Affirms Sanwo-Olu As Lagos State Governor |url=https://von.gov.ng/tribunal-affirms-sanwo-olu-as-lagos-state-governor/ |newspaper=Voiceof Nigeria|date=25 September 2023 }}

Awards

File:Gov. Sanwaolu at the 2021 AMA Award 02.jpg

Sanwo-Olu has obtained a variety of awards in his career, some of which include:

Platinum award from the Lagos State Public Service Club.
2009 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).
Merit Award from the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN).
LSDPC Impactful Leadership and Recognition Award.
Media Nite-Out Award for Best Governor of the Year (2020).{{cite news|url= https://guardian.ng/appointments/gov-sanwo-olu-abel-egbarin-seyi-tinubu-others-win-mnma-2021/|title=Governor Sanwo-Olu others Honoured at MNA Awards|last= |first= |date=20 September 2021|work=Guardian Newspaper|access-date=5 October 2021|location=Lagos, Nigeria}}
Special Guest of Honour awarded by [https://web.ikoyiclub1938.org/clubnews/ikoyi-club-1938-celebrating-86-years-of-excellence-theme-repositioning-for-the-modern-age-dates-24th-to-29th-september-2024/ Ikoyi Club 1938 Table Tennis] (2025).

Personal life

Sanwo-Olu is married to Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.{{cite news |last1=Opeseitan |first1=Tunde |title=Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu: Celebrating a quintessential First Lady at 53 |url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/01/07/ibijoke-sanwo-olu-celebrating-a-quintessential-first-lady-at-53/ |accessdate=29 April 2020 |work=PM News Nigeria |date=7 January 2020}}