Nearly four months after his inauguration for second term in office, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu swore in new commissioners and special advisers recently approved by the State House of Assembly.

The ceremony which held at Adeyemo Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja was attended by dignitaries from across the state, including Speaker of the House Mudashiru Obasa, Chief Judge of Lagos State Kazeem Alogba, Secretary to the State Government Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Head of Service Hakeem Muri-Okunola, family members, friends, traditional rulers, and other top government functionaries.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu, submitted the names of his desired cabinet members as far back as July 28th of this year in accordance with the constitutional requirement, but had some names on his list rejected by the House of Assembly.

The challenge to the submitted list began when members of the house requested that the governor indicate the nominees by their local governments for the sake of inclusivity in the state. Later, without providing an obvious justification for their decisions, the lawmakers disqualified 17 nominees from serving in the executive cabinet for the ensuing four years.

The rejection by lawmakers without explanation raised many concerns among political analysts and stakeholders in the state, raising the possibility of an ongoing power struggle between the executive and legislative branches of government in the state.

Meanwhile, the state’s Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) intervened to find a common ground between the two branches of government, prompting the state governor to resubmit another list of 17 nominees, including some from the first list that were rejected.

However, the house last week approved 15 of the 17 nominees based on the advice of the committee charged with screening the nominees and chaired by the Honourable Fatai Mosheed, Chief Whip of the House, leaving two names out of the potential cabinet members.

Governor Sanwo-Olu encouraged the nominees to be prepared for the challenge ahead of them to deliver in their respective portfolios in the interest of the state, adding that his administration is focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the state during their inauguration ceremony today.

The governor also commended the House of Assembly for diligently performing their duties during the screening exercise of the commissioners and the special advisers.

The Full list of the Sworn in Cabinet members is as follows

Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu swears-in the Lagos State Executive Council, today at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja.

Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo – Commissioner for Establishment Training and Pensions

Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun – Commissioner for Basic Education

Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde – Commissioner, Special Duties

Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) – Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice

Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende – Commissioner for Youth and Social Development

Hon. Ibrahim Layode – Commissioner for Home Affairs and culture

Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka – Commissioner for Tourism

Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu – Special Adviser, Environment

Mr. Abdulkabir Ogungbo – Special Adviser, Taxation and Revenue

Engr. Abiola Olowu – Special Adviser, Commerce and Investment

Dr. Adekunle Olayinka – Special Adviser, Works (to report to the Deputy Governor)

Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada – Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation

Mr. Idris Aregbe – Special Adviser, Tourism Arts and Culture

Mr. Yakubu Adebayo Alebiosu – Commissioner Waterfront Infrastructure

Mr. Tokunbo Wahab – Commissioner for Environment

Hon. Bola Olumegbon – Special Adviser, Central Business District (CBD)

Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya – Special Adviser Health

Mr. Kayode Bolaji-Roberts – Local Government Affairs

Mr. Moruf Akinderu Fatai – Commissioner for Housing

Mr. Seun Osiyemi – Commissioner for Transportation

Ms. Barakat Bakare – Special Adviser, Housing

Prof. Akin Abayomi – Commissioner for Health

Mr. Gbenga Omotoso – Commissioner for Information and Strategy

Dr. Rotimi Fashola – Special Adviser Agriculture

Mr. Mosopefolu George – Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget

Mr. Tunbosun Alake – Commissioner for Science and Technology

Ms. Ruth Abisola Olusanya – Commissioner for Agriculture

Mrs. Kaosarat Folashade Ambrose – Commisioner for Industries, Trade and Investment

Dr. Olumide Oluyinka – Commissioner for Physical Planning

Mr. Yomi Oluyomi – Commissioner for Finance

Dr. Jide Babatunde – Special Adviser E-GIS

Dr Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen – Special Adviser, Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement

Hon. Sola Shakirudeen Giwa – Special Adviser Transportation

Dr Mrs Iyabo Oyeyemi Ayoola – Special Adviser, Central Internal Audit

Mr Ajigbotafe Akinyemi – Commissioner, Wealth creation

Mr Nurudeen Lanre Yekini-Agbaje – Special Adviser, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs

Mr Tolani Sule Akibu – Commissioner for Tertiary Education