Sanwo- olu Swears in Permanent Secretaries.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday swore-in eight new Permanent Secretaries at a ceremony held at Lagos House, Ikeja.
This move is seen as a strategic effort to bolster leadership and enhance operational efficiency across critical government agencies and ministries.
The appointments reflect the administration’s commitment to strengthening governance structures and ensuring the seamless delivery of public services to the state’s over 20 million residents.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries bring a mix of expertise and experience to their respective roles.
Dr. (Mrs.) Idowu Abiola Adeolu will oversee the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), an agency tasked with regulating healthcare standards across the state. Mrs. Olanrewaju Aderinsola Olubanke takes the helm at the Citizens Mediation Bureau, which plays a vital role in resolving disputes and fostering harmony among Lagosians.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bajulaiye Adetokunbo Olanrewaju steps into the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, a sector pivotal to promoting Lagos as a global tourism destination.
Other appointees include Mr. Mahmud Tajudeen Alao, who will manage the Ministry of Finance, a cornerstone of the state’s economic stability, and Mr. Agbabiaka Wasiu Bolanle, appointed to the Civil Service Commission, which oversees the welfare and productivity of the state’s workforce.
Architect Oki Gbolahan Owodunni will lead Urban Development, a critical portfolio given Lagos’s rapid urbanization and infrastructure demands. Mrs. Onigbanjo Rianat Ajibike assumes leadership at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, focusing on social inclusion and empowerment, while Mr. Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu takes charge of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, aimed at driving job creation and economic opportunities.
During the ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu underscored the weight of responsibility accompanying the appointments. He urged the new Permanent Secretaries to align their efforts with the THEMES agenda his administration’s six-pillar development framework, which stands for Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance.
The Governor emphasized that their performance would be measured by their ability to innovate, uphold integrity, and meet the high expectations of Lagosians, who rely on efficient governance to address the state’s complex challenges.
These appointments come at a pivotal time for Lagos, a megacity grappling with
issues like urban congestion, healthcare access, and economic inequality, while striving to maintain its status as Africa’s economic powerhouse.
The new Permanent Secretaries are expected to play a crucial role in translating the THEMES agenda into tangible outcomes, from improving healthcare oversight and urban planning to boosting tourism and employment opportunities. Their leadership will likely influence the state’s trajectory as it navigates both local demands and its broader role in Nigeria’s development landscape.
