By Rachel Akper

More than two decades after the inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State in 2003, several members of his cabinet at the time have gone on to occupy key political and public offices in Nigeria.

Tinubu, who governed Lagos from 1999 to 2007, is now Nigeria’s President, marking a significant political trajectory since his time in office as governor.

Among members of the 2003 cabinet was Yemi Osinbajo, who later served as Vice President of Nigeria between 2015 and 2023.

Two former commissioners in that cabinet, Rauf Aregbesola and Babatunde Fashola, also rose to national prominence. Aregbesola went on to serve as Governor of Osun State and later as a minister, while Fashola succeeded Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State and subsequently held ministerial positions at the federal level.

In party administration, two cabinet members, Henry Ajomale and Tunde Balogun, later emerged as chairmen of the ruling party in Lagos State at different times.

At the federal executive level, two former members of the 2003 cabinet, Dele Alake and Olawale Edun, are currently serving as ministers.

Similarly, Olayemi Cardoso, who was part of Tinubu’s cabinet, is now the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Another member of the team, Muiz Banire, was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2015 and later appointed a Bencher. He also served as the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress at a point.

The development highlights how several members of the 2003 Lagos State Executive Council later moved on to hold strategic positions at both state and federal levels in Nigeria.