Babajide Sanwo-Olu

About Babajide Sanwo-Olu

The governor's office was still settling into its new occupant when Babajide Sanwo-Olu took the oath as Lagos State governor in 2019.

Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was born on June 25, 1965. He grew up in Lagos, Nigeria's bustling commercial hub. The city would shape his entire career trajectory.

He studied at the University of Lagos before expanding his education abroad. The London Business School came next, followed by the Lagos Business School. He later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government to deepen his expertise in public administration.

Before his gubernatorial ambition took root, Sanwo-Olu worked as managing director and CEO of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC). The role gave him direct exposure to real estate development and urban planning. He understood how infrastructure could transform a state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) became his political vehicle in 2019. He won the APC gubernatorial primaries against then-incumbent governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who had fallen out of favour with his alleged political sponsor. The primary victory cleared his path to the general election.

Sanwo-Olu defeated his opponents at the general election and became Lagos State governor. He took office in 2019, beginning his tenure focused on governance and development. Lagos, as Nigeria's economic nerve centre, demanded his full attention.

His background in property development and business management informed his approach to the office. The skills acquired at international institutions like the Kennedy School shaped his policy direction. His education spanned continents but his loyalty remained with Lagos.

As governor, Sanwo-Olu inherited a state of over 20 million people. The challenges were immense. Yet his experience at LSPDC had prepared him for scaling solutions across the megacity.