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Exclusive: Jide Sanwoolu Joins Lagos APC Governorship Race

Published

8 years ago

September 10, 2018

Eric

A former Special Adviser to Mr. Femi Pedro as Deputy Governor of Lagos State as well as Special Adviser to former Governor Bola Tinubu before becoming a full Commissioner for Establishment in 2007, Mr. Jide Sanwoolu, has joined the governorship race on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC)

Below is the details of Jide Sanwoolu:

SANWO-OLU Babajide Olusola is widely regarded as a public sector expert in
human resources and policy formation a power sector consultant per excellence,
an astute banker, a compelling public speaker and an inspirational leader. Apart
from a robust public sector service experience which spanned over eight years during
which he was Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Honourable
Commissioner for Budget and Planning and Honourable Commissioner for
Establishments and Training, Lagos State, at different times, the very dynamic Babajide
also has an enviable background in the private sector and close to ten years of exemplary
banking experience during which he contributed immensely to the growth and
development of Lead Bank Plc, UBA, and First Atlantic Bank (now First City Monument
Bank) in various critical capacities.
He has distinguished himself as a boardroom guru and has since become a widely
recognised force in both the private and public sector, serving as Board member,
Department for International Development, DFID/DEEPEN Fund; Member of the Board
Audit Committee of Caverton Offshore Services Group, PLC and as Director, Light Level
Nigeria Limited, the foremost digital signage company in Nigeria.
He also serves as Chairman for a number of thriving organisations, including Baywatch
Group Limited – a multifaceted company with interests in construction, property
development and human capital development – where he has served as Chairman/CEO
since July 2011. First Class Group Limited, a cooling, power and maintenance solutions
provider recognised widely for providing critical support for all major
telecommunications company in the area of specialised cooling. Powercap Consulting, a
leading power consulting boutique with vast experience in power privatisation exercise.
Beryl Shelter, an estate management rm that specialises in research, marketing
intelligence and sales of high end properties. Wow! Interiors, an interior design services
and luxury furniture retail store for high end corporate and residential clients.
As Treasurer at Lead Bank Plc between 1994 and 1997, Babajide managed the liquid asset
of the bank and general funding requirements on a daily basis. At United Bank for Africa,
UBA, he was Senior Manager (Head, Foreign Money Market) managing the bank’s
liquidity position vis a vis protability. He was also responsible for articulating and implementing the bank’s strategy in Investment Banking activities and Issuing House and
Portfolio Management.
Subsequently, Babajide rose to the position of Deputy General Manager (Divisional Head)
at First Inland Bank Plc, where he was Corporate Financial Advisor to several
multinational companies. He also supervised the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)
privatisation projects including the concession of the National Arts Theatre, and the Lagos
Trade International Fair Complex, the acquisition of Ikoyi Hotels Limited as well as the
Federal Government Debt Conversion Programme.
His meteoric rise within the system of the Lagos State government is particularly
exemplary; testament to his unique leadership abilities and exceptional contributions to
good governance within the State.
Babajide’s appointment, in 2003, as Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to the Deputy
Governor, took the government circles by storm. However, the consequent recognition
which he quickly gained, coupled with his outstanding performance earned him the same
job title and description again, this time, with the Executive Governor himself after only
one year.
Working directly with the Governor, he was responsible for creating an environment that
fosters private sector participation and was instrumental to the present situation where
members of the private sector see themselves as stakeholders in the governance of the
State. He also formulated policies and programmes to improve the relationship between
government and Organized Private Sector (OPS).
In conjunction with other agencies of government, Babajide was able to initiate, identify,
promote and structure new projects and programmes in areas like the Environment,
Transportation, Commerce, Finance and Infrastructure while also preparing and tracking
the Internally Generated Revenue from various agencies including the BIR and analysing
same for the Governor.
He was also responsible for the preparation and publication of the Lagos State Economic
Empowerment and Development Strategy (LASEEDS).
While still serving in this capacity, Babajide was appointed acting Honourable
Commissioner, Economic Planning and Budget, owing to his hard work and attention to
details. He became responsible for the preparation of the annual budget for the State
Government and the processing of the annual budget of the different parastatals; a duty
he performed judiciously.
It was no surprise therefore, when in 2007, he became the Honourable Commissioner for
Commerce and Industry until the end of that administration. At the start of the next
administration, Babajide was again appointed Honourable Commissioner, this time, for
Establishments, Training and Pensions.
Babajide’s stirring team playing ability was evident in the critical roles he played within
the government in partnership with several units and ofces. For instance, in conjunction
with the Head of Service, he was responsible for timely review of salaries, wages and
allowances while he also articulated the state government’s Conditions of Service. As a
security awareness expert, he helped set up the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and
subsequently became a board member for over four years.
Although he holds an MBA and a B.Sc in Surveying from the University of Lagos, his
quest for knowledge has taken him to several courses and trainings in several continents
of the world, including Europe, USA, Asia and Africa. He is an alumnus of the prestigious
Kennedy School of Government, USA; the London Business School as well as the Lagos
Business School, LBS.
Babajide is also an associate member of The Chartered Institute of Personnel
Management (CIPM) and fellow of The Nigeria Institute of Training and Development
(NITAD).
A man of admirable social skills, he also nds some time for leisure and social activities
amidst his demanding itinerary, as he is a member of the Ikoyi Club, the Island Club, as
well as the Clear Essence Health Club.
Babajide’s laudable achievements have not gone unnoticed. He has received several
awards in recognition of his tremendous contributions to society. They include the
Symbol of Excellence award from the Civic Enlightenment Association of Nigeria, a Gold
mentor award from the National Association of Nigeria Nurses & Midwives (NANNM), a
Platinum award from the Lagos State Public Service Club and the 2009 Best in Human
Capital Development award from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). He has also received
several merit awards from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Chartered
Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria (CIPMN) amongst others.
He is happily married to Dr Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and they are blessed with children.

Featured

Certificate Forgery: Group Seeks Tinubu’s Disqualification from 2027 Election

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

Eric

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Kano seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.

‎According to court documents seen by Daily Trust, the plaintiff alleged that Tinubu presented forged academic certificates from Chicago State University and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.

‎‎The suit, marked FHC/K/CS/312/2026, lists Tinubu, INEC, and Chicago State University as defendants.

‎The plaintiff contended that Tinubu never attended Government College Lagos as claimed, noting that the school was established in 1974, four years after Tinubu allegedly graduated.

The CSO further argued that Tinubu does not possess a valid secondary school certificate, which is the minimum constitutional requirement to contest for the presidency.

‎It claimed that INEC had failed to act on its petition dated June 19, 2026, demanding clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility.

‎‎In its statement of claims, the group referenced a 2023 U.S. court ruling in In Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar (No. 23 CV 05099), which compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records.

‎The plaintiff insisted those records revealed false entries and inconsistencies, including a forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.

‎The prayers asked by the plaintiff included declaration of forgery against Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate, issuance of an order directing INEC to disqualify him from the 2027 presidential election, directing CSU to strike Tinubu’s name from its records and perpetual injunction restraining INEC from uploading Tinubu’s name as a candidate.

‎The plaintiff also submitted affidavits of non-multiplicity of action, witness statements, and letters to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding disclaimers on the alleged fake NYSC certificate.

Featured

Lagos Island Red Cross Holds Annual Thanksgiving Service

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos Island Division of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has held its 2026 Annual Thanksgiving, to express gratitude for another year of provision of succor and comfort to as many that are in need.

The thanksgiving service, which was held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on the last Sunday of June, was led by the Division Coordinator, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi.

Speaking to The Boss on the activities of the Island Division of the Red Cross over the years, Olori Elegushi noted that it has been a thing of joy to be at the forefront of releasing the milk of human kindness to as many that needs it, and when they need it.

Coordinator, Lagos Island Division Nigerian Red Cross Society, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi (m), Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile (2nd left), Secretary Ajibola Adu (2md right) and Saheed Ayinde Yusuf (1st right)

“This is what I love to do, and this is what the Red Cross is all about; lending helping hand and spreading love across borders, especially here in Lagos Island.

“In everything, we won’t forget our Maker, the Almighty God, through whose power we are able to do the little and much we can do. That explains why we here today to give thanks as it’s a tradition every year,” Olori Elegushi said.

Olori Elegushi also noted that as an not for profit organization, the Society seeks support well-meaning Nigerians and Lagosians to come to their aid so that the gospel of continuous lending of helping hand to the needy will continue unabated.

“We also seek the support of well-meaning individuals, organizations, and the Church in our efforts to expand our humanitarian activities. With adequate funding and partnerships, we can organize first aid and health awareness programmes for public school students, train more volunteers, equip communities with emergency preparedness skills, and carry out outreach programmes that will positively impact lives across our society,” she concluded.

Olori Elegushi, who will soon join the octogenarian club, was accompanied at the thanksgiving event, by Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile, Secretary Ajibola Adu, Saheed Ayinde Yusuf, and a host of other members, dressed in their sparkling white uniform.

The Red Cross Society is an international organizational saddled with the responsibility of providing healthcare services among other humanitarian services to the people of the world. The Society is domiciled in every part of the world.

Featured

Insecurity: Adeboye, Oyedepo Urge More US Military Action in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, have thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for recent military action against terrorism in Nigeria, urging Washington to do more to halt the unrelenting attacks.

Both clerics spoke at the “Faith Heroes Award Gala” in Washington D.C. on June 26, 2026, organised by Save Nigeria Group USA, SNGUSA, with the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition.

The event honoured Trump, Congressmen Chris Smith and Riley Moore, and other advocates of religious freedom in Nigeria.

Addressing a packed audience of activists, policymakers and faith leaders at the Hilton Garden Inn, Capitol Hill, Adeboye said the scale of violence has moved beyond what any religious leader can handle alone.

“Terrorism is now at my doorstep,” he said. “If you want to help us, help us more.”

The RCCG leader, who had faced criticism for not speaking out earlier, said he chose “spiritual warfare” instead of public escalation. He noted that Trump’s December strikes on terrorist camps did not surprise him because the U.S. President had warned of consequences.