President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a series of appointments, including the designation of Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Lagos Head of Service, as his principal secretary, alongside 15 other appointees.
These appointments were highly anticipated, with expectations dating back to as early as June. Muri-Okunola, a 51-year-old lawyer, entered the Lagos Civil service in 2001 when he served as a personal assistant to then-Governor Tinubu. In 2005, Tinubu appointed him as the Executive Secretary of the Land Use and Allocation Committee. Six years later, he was promoted to the position of permanent secretary and subsequently assumed the role of Head of Service in December 2018.
Among the appointees is Moremi Ojudu, the eldest daughter of Babafemi Ojudu, the former special political adviser to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. Moremi, a staunch supporter of the Tinubu campaign, will take on the role of Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) for community engagement in the South West region.
Additionally, individuals such as Tanko Yakasai, Chioma Nweze, Abiodun Essiet, and Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba have been appointed to represent the other five geographical zones. Tanko Yakasai will serve the North West, Abiodun Essiet the North Central, Chioma Nweze the South East, and Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba the North East.
Notably, the appointment list also includes the reappointment of Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the former Deputy Governor of Lagos, who will continue her role as SSAP Sustainable Development Goals.