LAGOS, Nigeria — Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sent a revised list of commissioner-nominees to the Lagos State House of Assembly, including some familiar faces and introducing fresh names while dropping five from the previous list.
The shakeup features the return of former Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and former Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho.
They join other recurring names like Sam Egube, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and Olalere Odusote.
The dropped nominees include Folashade Adefisayo, who previously oversaw Education; Solape Hammond, who was responsible for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); and Aramide Adeyoye, who managed Works and Infrastructure. Lekan Fatodu and Rotimi Ogunwuyi were also removed from the list.
Six new names are replaced: Afolabi Tajudeen, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Tolani Sule-Akibu, Yekini Agbaje, Iyabode Ayoola, and Sola Giwa.
Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, read the governor’s letter during a plenary session, with Speaker Mudashiru Obasa directing the screening committee to begin vetting the nominees on Tuesday, September 5.
The committee, led by Chief Whip Fatai Mojeed, is scheduled to report back to the House on Thursday.
In his letter, Governor Sanwo-Olu said, “After careful consideration of the 17 names that were rejected, I have decided to represent a list of nominees which includes a balanced selection of previously presented and new individuals. This list represents a broad political spectrum and diverse backgrounds reflective of the rich diversity of our lovely state. I am confident these new nominees would bring fresh ideas that would help the growth and progress of Lagos.”
The Governor’s move has sparked debates among political analysts and citizens alike, who are keenly watching the ongoing cabinet reshuffle for signs of the administration’s future policy directions.
As Lagos grapples with pressing issues such as traffic congestion, waste management, and infrastructural development, the composition of the new cabinet is widely regarded as a crucial step in shaping the future of Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The Lagos State House of Assembly is expected to announce its decision on the new nominees by the end of the week.
Until then, the state remains in a state of heightened anticipation, eager to see how these changes will impact the execution of government policy and service delivery.
