The All Progressives Congress Governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is no doubt one of the most popular gubernatorial candidates in Nigeria at the moment, he’s also perceived to be well accepted by the people and highly favored to become the number one man in the state come 2019.

However, it appears that so many Lagosians knows little or nothing about him or his antecedent except for his exceptional anointing by the Lagos APC Godfather and National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (JAGABAN).

To this end, PorscheClassy News brings to you the complete profile of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Lagos APC Guber Candidate.

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His appointment as the Acting Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget less than a year after he joined the trailblazing administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Special Adviser on Corporate Matters in 2004 took the political circuit unawares.

Civil servants wondered who the upwardly mobile chap that impressed this headhunter of a governor in such a short time was. Politicians were curious to unravel this whiz kid.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu took the public interest in his personality and his skills set in his stride.  He chose to prove his mettle on the job by rolling up his sleeves and bringing his expertise in finance and management notched in over two decades in the private sector to play.

The results were fantastic.

In government-speak, the budget Commissioner was the “headmaster” who wielded the big stick against non-compliance with budgetary limits and held the votes of charge that gave life to expenditures.

The new man on the block slipped into the role as if it was a customized suit.  Ministries, departments and agencies met a friendly enforcer and creative provider of solutions to the challenging task of managing the economic development of Africa’ s fastest growing economic hub.

Tracking and providing intelligent analysis of Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) by the various government agencies and parastatals, including the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), for executive consideration and policymaking; as well as preparation and publication of the Lagos State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LASEEDS) are some of his commendable contributions.

The opportunity gave him a helicopter view of the economic challenges facing the 12 million residents and turned him into a passionate executor of the Lagos State Economic Development Strategy.  Only God knew that someday he would respond to the call of the people to apply these solutions to a population that has now grown to 24million.

‘Give me a place to stand, and I will move the earth’, the legendary words of Archimedes, the ancient scientist who discovered the lever, turned out to be prophetic for Sanwo-Olu at the ministry.  His deft management of the fulcrum on which Governance oscillates made him shine for all to see and he quickly established his reputation for quick thinking and fast execution.

The consensus that he was an asset to the administration is the most logical rationale for his deployment to ministries in need of critical management during the second term of the Tinubu administration.

If in doubt, take this count:

2006: Appointed the Commissioner for Commerce & Industry with the responsibility to engage his primary constituency, the private sector to partner with the government to create jobs, ensure industrial harmony and boost investment.

2007: Appointed the Commissioner for Establishment, Training & Pensions. His pioneering records include the scale-up of collective bargaining as a platform for wages reviews, timely payment of salaries and pensions and the introduction of the Civil Service Framework in collaboration with the Head of Service. Perhaps the most record-breaking event was the establishment of the Lagos State Pensions Commission.

The vibrant energy and hands-on style of Sanwo-Olu explain why he had his hands full during the Babatunde Raji Fashola administration that he served diligently between 2007 and 2011.

You do not need to wonder why Sanwo-olu was involved in the establishment of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, the New Projects Initiation & Promotions Committee, the Lekki Free Trade Zone and chaired the Consultants Board. These interventions have given him the institutional memory to understand why and how the present agencies of the Lagos State government were formed and how to manage them to give Lagosians the best possible values.

His appointment as the Managing Director of the Lagos State DevelopmentProperty Corporation by His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is a remarkable feat demonstrating that the three helmsmen of Lagos State in the last 19 years of democracy – Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN and Akinwunmi Ambode – have found him worthy to be called upon to add value to governance in the state.

His most recent impeccable record of diligent public service is, of course, the LSDPC. Notably, his regal perch as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Lagos State Development Property Corporation (LSDPC) turned the fortunes of the corporation around with increased innovation and efficiency, thereby justifying his 2016 appointment. Babajide’s business process re-engineering acumen enabled his task of reducing the housing deficit in Lagos State.

As a result, several housing projects commenced in the Victoria Island-Lekki axis within few months of his resumption, while similar projects – Courtland Villa, Igbokusu Lekki and Bayview Estate, Elegushi Lekki to mention a few were executed in quick succession, under the Joint Venture and Private Public Partnership (PPP) model operational in the State. One of the flagship interventions of the LSDPC under Sanwo-Olu’s watch was recommencement of work on the abandoned 122-unit Lekki Apartments, which is currently near completion.

While his role at the LSDPC has been adjudged admirable and widely applauded by stakeholders across the State, Babajide has proven to be an administrator with a Midas touch.

Despite the very deserving and overwhelming accolades attracted by his strings of successes at LSDPC and previous duty posts, Babajide has never shifted his focus from the bigger picture of delivering greater value to the people of Lagos State

The LSDPC restructuring tagged ‘Project Eagle’ implemented under his leadership has become the model for public sector institution repositioning in Nigeria, and a valid pointer to the state’s commitment to operational efficiency.

The consequent outcome of the methodically implemented re-engineering process is a visible transformation in the internal ethos and external outlook of the corporation. This produced a crop of highly trained, mentored and motivated civil servants in the LSDPC; ready to create value for Lagos State and Taxpayers.

Born into the illustrious Sanwo-Olu family of Lagos Island on June 25, 1965, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has grown to become a symbol of integrity; hard work, diligence, selflessness, and empathy that are second nature to his worthy family. He is a product of the marriage between Pa. Simon Sanwo-Olu of 65, Omididun Street and Madam Omotunde Ajoke Cole of Idoluwo Street, both in Lagos. Young Babajide had the privilege of proper and quality upbringing, which has continued to guide his path through life.

A respectable example of the best of two worlds, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is a private sector tested hand and a public sector reformer. His experiences straddle the two distinct, but connected pillars of every great economy.

Babajide has a very enviable banking career where he rose to the position Deputy General Manager (DGM) at the First Atlantic Bank (now part of First City Monument Bank). Babajide served as financial advisor and investment Banker to several blue chips and multinational companies and initiated many impactful transactions that created multiple positive effects on the economy.

Beyond the interesting highlights of his banking career, he also supervised notable Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)-led privatization projects; such as concession of the Aluminum Smelter Company (ALSCON), National Arts Theatre, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, acquisition of Ikoyi Hotels Limited and the Federal Government Debt Conversion Programme.

Without any doubt, Babajide left the private sector with countless learnings and skills that differentiated him in the public service, but liquidity management and investment policy articulation could be considered his most valuable takeaways from the banking sector.  His role as a Treasurer at Lead Merchant Bank between 1994 and 1997, later Head, Foreign Money Market at United Bank for Africa and Treasurer at First Atlantic Bank, made him central to institutional survival and adroit at resources utilization.

Prior to his banking career, he worked (Post – NYSC) as a Seismic Surveyor with United Geophysical Nigeria Ltd (a seismic data acquisition company) in a role which took him around the whole Niger Delta and Lake Chad region prospecting crude oil for Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)and NNPC between 1989 and 1991.

Babajide also tried his young hands on a start-up business like every entrepreneurial mind and adventurous youth.  He started a company with his funds called “Dial a Plumber” and the venture suffered within its first 18 months. In retrospect, Babajide thinks the venture failed because of a combination of factors, which creating a conducive climate for business operations would have addressed. Although this is not to exonerate his naivety, involving in that undertaking made him understand that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) require a considerable amount of government support and doggedness on the part of the promoters.

In recognition of his multi-sectoral experience, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has become a highly sought-after boardroom frontrunner, whose insights and perspectives are coveted by public and private sector companies. Between 2011 and 2016, he was chairman of Baywatch Group Limited, First Class Group Limited, Beryl Shelter Limited, and earlier, Lagos State Consultants Board. He also served on the board of Department for International Development (DFID/DEEPEN) Fund, Caverton Offshore Services Group Plc, Light Level Nigeria Limited, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, and the Lagos State Tenders Board.

As an innovation and solution-driven mind, it is to his credit that the policy framework and structure that established the Lagos State Security Trust Fund was set-up as a frontal solution to the security challenges of Lagos State. He applied the same rigour of tackling security challenges in the state to untangle the chaotic public transportation problem by modifying the setting up of Lagos Asset Management Limited (LAGBUS).

Babajide is an alumnus of the prestigious Kennedy School of Government, London Business School and the Lagos Business School. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Surveying & Geo-Informatics and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos. His early education was at Government Demonstration School, Gbaja, Surulere and Ijebu-Ife Grammar Secondary School, Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State.

Outside of formal education, Babajide has attended several high-profile pieces of training and leadership courses at some of the leading institutions in the world, especially in Europe, USA, and Asia. He also boasts the membership of the Nigerian Institute of Directors (IOD) Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), and Fellowship of Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).

It is unexpected that Babajide’s enterprising career in the private sector, defining roles in public service and selfless contributions to the society would not have attracted international recognition and accolades at home, but as a man attired in modesty, these awards and laurels are encouragements that keep him on the path of service to God and humanity.

Some of his laurels include the ‘LSDPC Impactful Leadership and Recognition Award’, ‘Young Christian Fellowship Appreciation Award’, ‘National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives Gold Mentor Appreciation Award’, ‘University of Lagos International School Parents-Teachers Association Recognition & Appreciation Award’, Nigerian Union of Teachers Excellence Award for Contribution to Upliftment of Education’ and University of Lagos Alumni Association Merit Award for Outstanding Commitment and Contributions to National Development.

A devout Christian and family-focused man, whose marriage to Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, is blessed with lovely children, Babajide in addition to his love for public speaking, is a member of numerous prestigious clubs which include Ikoyi Club 1938, the Island Club, Yoruba Tennis Club, and the Clear Essence Health Club.