Opinion
Evaluating Sanwo-Olu’s leadership style
In Nigeria, Lagos state holds the distinction of being a megacity of commerce, culture and commotion. Touted as “Center of Excellence”, this state of aquatic splendour, to me, represents a jungle where anything can happen! It accommodates all sorts: robbers, ritualists, rapists, the good, the bad and the ugly. As the popular saying goes “Eko gba ole, o gba ole” roughly translated to mean Lagos accommodates thieves as well as indolent. But this doesn’t mean the entire state is full of bad people.
There are millions of decent people in Lagos eking out legitimate livelihood.
This writer spent close to 15 years in Lagos, moving through its length and breadth while practising journalism before relocating to the present place of abode. I must confess that, with the benefit of hindsight, I fear Lagos with its stress and distress! To say the least, it is a state with problems of profound proportions. For example, commuting from one place to another in those days was hellish. You could spend the whole day in traffic gridlock. To underscore my fear of Lagos, uptill now, I hardly drive to Lagos. Honestly, I respect Lagos residents. They are industrious. They hardly sleep. They are special breeds as the city is complex.
However, governing a state like Lagos, in my opinion, is similar to sailing in a turbulent sea. Clearly, only the bold and the brilliant can dare to throw their hats in the ring. Turning Lagos that I used to know to be chaotic into a magnificent modern society, replete with all the glittering and dazzling paraphernalia of a megacity is indeed a herculean task. It is against this backdrop that one is compelled to evaluate the leadership style of the incumbent governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu whose steady strides are really impacting lives and building legacies.
Interestingly, Lagos seems to be getting it rightly with its leadership recruitment process since 1999 when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu became governor when the country returned to democracy. Asiwaju Tinubu did not only perform well in office from 1999 to 2007, he also succeeded in raising a worthy successor who was hitherto unknown, but eventually dazzled the pundits with his excellent leadership style. That was Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola whose nomination generated a lot of political furore at that time . The credit goes to Asiwaju Tinubu whose proclivity for identifying and raising quality leaders has been generally acknowledged. Fashola was succeeded by Akinwunmi Ambode who later handed over the baton to the incumbent. All of these men have contributed immensely to the development of Lagos.
The governors in succession appear to be patterned after the pioneer (Tinubu), with similitude in conduct and carriage. They are passionate about the development of Lagos. And, Lagos is getting better by the day. Surprisingly, this writer, like many observers, had his skepticism about the capacity of Mr. Sanwo-Olu to handle Lagos when he was thrown up. Perhaps because there was scanty information about him at that time. Perhaps because of his simple and humble carriage and disposition. Like many Lagosians, one erroneously thought he might not be able to deliver! Contrary to this wrong notion, however, the way he has handled concatenation of various circumstances in the last two years has shown that it is not always good to judge a book by its cover.
In the last two years of his reign in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu whose physical frame disguises the giant he is made of, has literally smashed to smithereens all the public cynicism and skepticism about his capacity to move Lagos to higher heights. Using a decisive, yet consensual leadership style along with his cabinet members, he has been able to tackle many Lagos Gordian Knots with precision. His is not a laissez faire leadership style. Rather, as a leader, he portrays himself as a rare embodiment of courage, charisma and credibility.
Analyzing him on account of his words and actions, Sanwo-Olu sounds modernist and progressive. He is a man of deep convictions, and a sophisticated politician, driven by concrete principles rather than situational ethics. His equanimity of spirit makes a profound positive impression. He is dialogical, conversational and discussive. These are hallmarks of a good leader. This governor is vivacious, warm and full of innate dignity without a bulk of ego. More importantly, he has not been delinquent in his duty. I wish to state with unmistakable exactitude that he is charting a future rich in promise and possibilities. As his Information and Strategy Commissioner, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso describes him, “Gov. Sanwo-Olu is a humble man of modesty who believes so much in the betterment of the people and the society”.
Moving round Lagos recently without the usual attendant traffic snarl, one is compelled to salute the dexterity of Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s doggedness. There are appreciable testaments of rapid and unprecedented physical growth. One of the major concerns of the visitors to Lagos is transportation system. It is therefore delightful to know that Gov. Sanwo-Olu has done a lot in this regard. For instance, he has completed road projects including Oniru network of roads, Ojokoro network of roads- 31 in number- the Pen Cinema fly-over, Agege, Oshodi/Abule-Egba BRT corridor, Phases 1 & 2 of Badagry expressway, Lagos-Ogun boundary roads, six major junction improvements at Lekki 1 & 2 , Ajah, Maryland, Ikotun and Allen Avenue. Also, he has touched Jide Oki / Ade Adedina/ Olugbani streets in Iru/ Victoria Island, Ijegun-Egbe road and Ishuti road in Igando. St. Finbarrs road/Diya street in Yaba Iwaya road among others. This is commendable. It makes life in Lagos more bearable.
However, the major challenge remains the issue of security. There is no doubting the fact that the preponderance of poverty in the midst of plenty has fertilised criminalities across the country. Insecurity is not peculiar to Lagos, but the rate and audacity with which it is perpetrated calls for concern. The robbers in Lagos are so daring and brazen. They terrorize people with mayhem and murder, pillaging and plundering people’s poverty at will. It will be desirable if the governor can intensify efforts in this regard. Whatever, a leader encourages grows, and what he discourages dies. Gov. Sanwo-Olu has the capacity to reduce the level of criminality in Lagos. He can do it. Glad to know that he has promised to tackle the problem headlong .
Hear him: “We are currently working with the various state security operatives to determine additional operational and infrastructure needs that the state can support with. In this regard, I shall, in the coming week, be handing over operational vehicles, communication gadgets, ballistic vests and helmets, anti-riot water cannon vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to our various security operatives to further enhance and improve their operations which will ultimately have a positive impact on the security status in the state. We will also be recruiting additional men in the coming weeks, into our Neighbourhood Security Watch to complement the efforts of our existing security personnel.”
Leadership is a burden. Leaders, particularly those who display capacity like Gov. Sanwo-Olu should be encouraged and supported with applause wherever they have done well. This governor with uncommon largeness of heart has done well in the last two years. His performance during the COVID-19 pandemic was sterling. He indeed displayed a quality leadership style. He earned my respect. The scabs he recorded during the ENDSARS protest which have turned to scars for his lessons and remembrance are certainly parts of the badges of leadership. History will be kind to him for his sacrifices. By and large, he should be commended and supported in the overall interest of Lagos.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s leadership style is developmental . The governor seems to have mastered how to blend radicalism with conservatism. Like him or loathe him, his modesty, graceful airs, and rich mind must have earned him the confidence of the majority of Lagosians. In the last two years, his strength has been tested and his performance has been proven. Indeed, he is a man of amazing self-restraint, always acting in a fashion of a gentleman. It appears whatever is for the benefit of the people becomes his priority. I simply admire his carriage and conduct.
Above all, no matter how good Lagos gets, the state can always get better. But the betterment of Lagos cannot be left for an individual or government alone. All stakeholders must work together and support the government.
Sunday Saanu, is with the University of Ibadan.
E-mail: sundaysaanu@gmail.com, 08034073427
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State stands on the edge of a consequential decision—one that may define not only its fortunes in Ibadan North Federal Constituency but also its broader political relevance in the state.
As the countdown to the party primaries intensifies, the question before APC leaders is no longer routine. It is strategic. It is urgent. And it is decisive: will the party align with the clear preference of the people or risk repeating costly political miscalculations?
At the centre of this debate is Hon. Khalil Mustapha Adegboyega, widely known as Repete—a name that has, over time, evolved from a political identity into a grassroots phenomenon.
A Candidate Rooted in the People
In contemporary Nigerian politics, where voter awareness is rising and expectations are shifting, candidates are increasingly judged not by promises but by presence. On this scale, Adegboyega stands tall.
His political journey is marked by consistent engagement with constituents—far beyond the optics of election seasons. From youth empowerment initiatives that provide practical skills and startup support, to sustained interventions in healthcare access for the elderly and indigent, his footprint across Ibadan North reflects a model of leadership anchored on service.
Unlike the transactional approach that often defines political relationships, Adegboyega’s connection with the people appears organic—built on trust, accessibility, and continuity. These are not mere campaign attributes; they are political assets.
The Danger of Political Disconnect
History offers the APC a clear lesson: parties that ignore grassroots sentiment often pay a heavy electoral price. The imposition of candidates perceived as distant or untested has, in several instances, resulted in voter apathy, internal dissent, and eventual defeat at the polls.
Ibadan North presents no exception.
With opposition parties closely monitoring the APC’s internal dynamics, any misstep in candidate selection could provide a ready opening. A divided house, coupled with a candidate lacking widespread acceptance, is a formula the opposition is well-positioned to exploit.
The implication is straightforward: this is not merely about party loyalty; it is about electoral viability.
Echoes from the Grassroots
Across the length and breadth of Ibadan North—markets, motor parks, religious centres, and community gatherings—a consistent pattern emerges in political conversations. The name “Repete” resonates with familiarity and acceptance.
Such organic support is not easily manufactured. It is cultivated over time through visible impact and sustained presence. For a party seeking electoral certainty in a competitive environment, this level of grassroots validation is not just desirable—it is critical.
A Test of Leadership and Judgment
For the APC leadership in Oyo State, the moment calls for clarity of purpose. Decisions driven by narrow interests, personal alignments, or short-term calculations may carry long-term consequences.
The task, therefore, is to balance internal considerations with external realities. Elections are ultimately decided by voters, not by party caucuses. A candidate who commands public confidence offers the strongest pathway to victory.
The Stakes Are Clear
Ibadan North is too strategic a constituency for experimentation. The cost of error is not limited to a single seat; it extends to party cohesion, credibility, and future positioning within the state’s political landscape.
In this context, the argument for Adegboyega is less about sentiment and more about strategy. His visibility, acceptability, and record of engagement place him in a strong position to consolidate support and mobilise voters effectively.
Conclusion: A Choice with Consequences
As the APC moves closer to its primaries, the decision before it is both simple and significant: align with a candidate who reflects the mood of the electorate or risk conceding advantage to a watchful opposition.
In politics, moments such as this often separate foresight from hindsight.
For APC in Ibadan North, this may well be one of those defining moments.
Aderibigbe Akanbi, a political analyst, writes from Ibadan.
As the road to 2027 gradually unfolds across Oyo State, political conversations are shifting from routine permutations to deeper questions about competence, generational leadership, and measurable impact. In Ibarapa East, that conversation has found a new voice in Yusuf Abiodun Ramon — a Lanlate-born technocrat whose entry into the race for the State House of Assembly is redefining what representation could mean for the constituency.
In a political environment often dominated by familiar faces and conventional calculations, Ramon presents a profile shaped by technical discipline, structured thinking, and solution-driven engagement. His professional background, anchored in analytical precision and systems management, forms the foundation of his public service aspiration.
For him, representation must move beyond ceremonial presence to practical responsiveness — laws that reflect local realities, oversight that protects public resources, and advocacy that translates into visible development.
Ramon argues that the future of Ibarapa East lies in leadership that listens deliberately, plans strategically, and delivers measurably. He speaks of strengthening rural infrastructure, expanding youth-driven economic opportunities, and institutionalising transparency as core pillars of his agenda. In his view, governance must not merely be symbolic; it must be structured, accountable, and people-centred.
Rooted in Ile Odede, Isale Alubata Compound, Ward Seven of Ibarapa East Local Government, and maternally linked to Ile Sobaloju, Isale Ajidun Compound, Eruwa, Ramon’s story is not one of distant ambition but of lived experience. He is, in every sense, a son of the soil — shaped by the same roads, schools, and economic realities that define daily life in Ibarapa East.
“I was born here. I grew up here. I understand our struggles, our strengths, and our untapped potential,” he says. “Representation must go beyond occupying a seat; it must translate into preparation, competence, and genuine commitment to development.”
His academic journey mirrors that philosophy of steady growth. He began at Islamic Primary School, Lanlate (1995–2001), proceeded to Baptist Grammar School, Orita Eruwa (2001–2007), and later earned a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, between 2009 and 2011. Refusing to plateau, he advanced his intellectual horizon and is now completing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Lagos. “Education,” he reflects, “is continuous capacity building. Leadership today requires both technical knowledge and administrative insight.”
That blend of engineering precision and managerial training has defined a professional career spanning more than a decade. Shortly after his diploma, Yusuf joined Mikano International Limited as a generator installer, gaining hands-on experience in industrial power systems — a sector central to Nigeria’s infrastructural backbone. He later transitioned into telecommunications at Safari Telecoms Nigeria Limited, where he received specialized training in Industrial, Scientific, and Medical radio bands, strengthening his expertise in network operations.
In 2013, he became a Field Support Engineer at Netrux Global Concepts Ltd., then a leading ISM service provider in Nigeria. Over four formative years, he immersed himself in telecom infrastructure deployment and maintenance, mastering field coordination, logistics management, and real-time technical problem-solving.
Since July 2017, he has served as a Field Support Engineer with Specific Tools and Techniques Ltd., a power solutions firm providing services to major operators including MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria. In that capacity, he operates at the frontline of ensuring energy reliability and network uptime — responsibilities that demand discipline, accountability, and systems thinking.
For political observers in Ibarapa East, this trajectory matters. It reflects more than résumé credentials; it speaks to a mindset anchored in efficiency, coordination, and measurable outcomes — qualities increasingly demanded in legislative representation.
Beyond the private sector, Ramon’s political exposure is neither sudden nor superficial. A loyal member of the progressive political family in Lagos, he once served as a personal assistant to a former lawmaker, gaining practical insight into legislative procedure and constituency engagement. Within his community, he has quietly extended financial support to small-scale entrepreneurs and students — modest but consistent interventions rooted in personal responsibility.
“My interest is my people,” he states firmly. “Ibarapa East deserves strategic, responsive, and capable leadership at the State Assembly. We must move from rhetoric to results.”
Across the constituency — from Lanlate to Eruwa — development priorities remain clear: youth employment, vocational empowerment, rural road rehabilitation, stable power supply, agricultural value-chain expansion, improved educational standards, and stronger lawmaking that directly reflects community needs.
Political analysts argue that Ramon’s technocratic background positions him uniquely at the intersection of policy formulation and practical implementation. At a time when national discourse increasingly favours competence over grandstanding, his profile resonates with a broader generational shift toward performance-driven governance. His engineering discipline reinforces problem-solving; his business training strengthens administrative understanding; his grassroots roots anchor his empathy.
For Ibarapa East, the 2027 election cycle may represent more than a routine democratic exercise. It may mark a recalibration of expectations — a demand for representation that understands both the soil beneath its feet and the systems that drive modern development. As political alignments gradually crystallize in Oyo State, Yusuf Abiodun Ramon’s declaration signals the arrival of a candidate seeking to translate private-sector structure into public-sector impact.
One thing is clear: the conversation about the future of Ibarapa East has begun — and it is now framed around competence, credibility, and capacity.
Oluwasegun Idowu sent in this piece from Eruwa, Ibarapa East LG, Oyo State
“In a sky where delays are normal, one airline flies with precision and trust. Ibom Air shows that reliability can be a strategy”.
In Nigeria’s skies, where flight delays and cancellations are often taken as routine, Ibom Air has quietly rewritten the rules. From the moment it launched in June 2019, the Akwa Ibom State–owned carrier has treated reliability not as a bonus, but as a core strategy—turning punctuality, discipline, and operational excellence into a competitive edge that passengers can count on.
While most airlines chase rapid expansion or flashy promotions, Ibom Air has chosen consistency. Flights depart on schedule, disruptions are minimal, and communication with passengers is clear and timely. This predictability has quickly earned the airline a loyal following among business travellers, professionals, government officials, and families for whom time is invaluable.
The airline’s approach is methodical. Every flight is treated as a commitment, and operational decisions are guided by structured planning, not improvisation. This discipline underpins everything from scheduling to fleet management, ensuring passengers experience flying without surprises.
Central to this model is Ibom Air’s modern fleet. Its Airbus A220-300 and Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft are fuel-efficient, comfortable, and rigorously maintained to meet both manufacturers’ specifications and the regulatory standards of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and international aviation bodies. Safety here is a culture, not a compliance exercise.
Cabin cleanliness and aircraft health are equally prioritized. Passengers consistently step into neat, hygienic, and professionally maintained cabins, reinforcing confidence and comfort even before take-off. In a sector where small details signal operational quality, Ibom Air’s standards speak volumes.
Technology quietly drives reliability across operations. From booking and check-in to flight coordination and customer service, modern systems enhance efficiency, reduce disruptions, and ensure smooth communication. These tools allow the airline to anticipate challenges rather than merely react.
R–L: Dr. Solomon Oroge, a consultant, and Mr. Idowu Ayodele, journalist and media practitioner, aboard an Ibom Air flight.
Service delivery follows the same disciplined pattern. Pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff operate under strict professional standards. Courtesy is paired with efficiency, and calm, structured service ensures passengers feel confident throughout their journey.
The Ibom Flyer loyalty programme reflects this structured approach, rewarding consistent passengers and fostering long-term engagement. It turns reliability into a tangible benefit for frequent flyers.
From its hub at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Ibom Air serves major Nigerian cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Enugu, while extending its reach to West Africa with flights to Accra, Ghana. Expansion is deliberate, prioritizing sustainability over rapid growth that could compromise service quality.
Measured growth allows the airline to maintain operational excellence and service consistency even as demand increases—a strategy that contrasts sharply with competitors whose rapid expansion often strains resources.
Mr. Idowu Ayodele, journalist and media practitioner, pictured inside an Ibom Air aircraft.
Beyond commercial success, Ibom Air has become a national example. It has created employment, stimulated tourism, and strengthened regional connectivity, projecting a positive image of Nigerian aviation at a time when confidence in the sector is often fragile.
The airline has also challenged assumptions about government-owned enterprises. By combining professional management with operational autonomy, it demonstrates that public investment can achieve efficiency, accountability, and competitiveness.
Reliability, in the case of Ibom Air, is than a promise—it is a deliberate business philosophy. It shapes operations, informs decisions, and builds passenger trust consistently.
Technology, discipline, and attention to detail converge to produce an airline that works. Every element, from fleet maintenance to cabin service, supports the promise that Ibom Air delivers what it advertises—without surprises.
In a market where uncertainty has been the norm, Ibom Air has shown that consistency can be a strategic advantage. Passengers no longer fly with anxiety; they fly with confidence, knowing their schedules will hold and service will meet expectations.
Ultimately, Ibom Air is not just an airline—it is a model of operational excellence in Nigerian aviation. By prioritizing reliability over spectacle, discipline over improvisation, and planning over shortcuts, it sets a benchmark for the industry and a standard for passengers: in the skies, predictability is priceless
Idowu Ayodele – Journalist, Ibadan, Oyo State
0805 889 3736 | megaiconpress@gmail.com
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