Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is the Governor of Lagos State, in office since 29 May 2019. A former banker and state commissioner, he was re-elected in 2023. This neutral biography covers his early life, education, career, governorship and family, based on published reports.
Editorial note: last checked on 26 October 2026. See also our profile of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under whom he served as a commissioner.
Sanwo-Olu at a glance
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 June 1965, Lagos |
| Education | Government Demonstration School, Surulere; Ijebu-Ife Grammar School; BSc Surveying and MBA, University of Lagos; London Business School and Harvard Kennedy School programmes |
| Career | Banker (Lead Merchant Bank, UBA, First Inland Bank); Lagos State commissioner |
| Offices | Governor of Lagos State since 29 May 2019 (15th governor) |
| Family | Married to Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; four children |
Early life and banking career
Sanwo-Olu studied at the University of Lagos and began his career in banking in the 1990s, working as treasurer at Lead Merchant Bank, head of foreign money market at United Bank for Africa and a divisional head at First Inland Bank, later part of FCMB. He also chaired private companies including Baywatch Group.
Public service before the governorship
From 2003 he advised Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro and acted as commissioner for economic planning and budget. In 2007 he became Commissioner for Commerce and Industry under Governor Bola Tinubu, later Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions under Babatunde Fashola, and in 2016 he led the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation under Akinwunmi Ambode.
Governor of Lagos State
He won the APC primary on 2 October 2018, defeating incumbent Akinwunmi Ambode, and won the general election on 9 March 2019. He was sworn in on 29 May 2019 with Obafemi Hamzat as deputy. His administration commissioned road and transport projects such as the Oshodi to Abule-Egba BRT lane in 2020. He was re-elected in the March 2023 election, defeating Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party and Olajide Adediran of the PDP, and on 25 September 2023 the election petition tribunal dismissed petitions against his victory.
Criticism and disputes
The 2023 campaign was described in media reports as tense, with accusations on all sides. Opponents alleged that his deputy was unqualified and that he had presented a forged school certificate; the tribunal rejected these claims. In January 2020 his government removed the Fela Kuti statue on Allen Avenue, which was reported as a measure to ease traffic. Read about Fela in our Fela Kuti article.
Frequently asked questions
When did Sanwo-Olu become governor?
On 29 May 2019, and he began a second term in 2023.
What did he do before politics?
He worked in banking.
Who is his deputy?
Obafemi Hamzat, as listed in reports of the 2019 and 2023 elections.
Sources
Images: Unsplash photographers; general scenes, not photographs of the subject. More on our Learn Yoruba hub.
