- chargesthem to work harmoniously withtheir political heads
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, appointed 10 new Permanent Secretaries, recalibrating the civil service — the engine room of the State’s governance.
The appointees were sworn in at a ceremony held in the Banquet Hall of the State House, Alausa, bringing the number of Permanent Secretaries appointed by the Sanwo-Olu administration to 121.
The Governor immediately deployed the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries to various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), following administration of oath of office.
He charged them to bring their ingenuity to bear in the discharge of the responsibilities, urging them to create frameworks that would enable seamless coordination of his administration’s development blueprint in their respective MDAs.
Sanwo-Olu said the realities of contemporary times had necessitated the need for the civil service to adapt to the changing governance system, noting that Lagos was not only expanding in size but also becoming more complex to administer.
The Governor said: “Our citizens expect a public service that is responsive, transparent, and one driven by technology. We cannot keep doing things the old way and hope for different outcomes. That is why my administration is committed to strengthening institutional reforms, from digital transformation to performance management, and from re-engineering processes to developing our workforce.
“As Permanent Secretaries, you are expected to lead these reforms in your ministries, departments, and agencies. You hold key positions that are vital to the government’s effectiveness. You are the bridge between vision and action; connecting political direction with administrative execution. Your performance will play a crucial role in determining how far we can go as a government.”
Sanwo-Olu reminded the appointees that their elevation to the position of Permanent Secretary was a testament to their years of hard work, skill development, and leadership displayed in their previous roles.
He said the new responsibility called for courage, creativity, and a strong sense of ethics, stressing that their duties required the ability to challenge inefficiency and inspire productivity.
The Governor said the new Permanent Secretaries must think strategically, manage resources wisely, and uphold the values that had been the backbone of the Lagos State Public Service.
He said: “As you take your oath of office today, keep in mind that you are making a commitment not just to the Government, but to every Lagosian who relies on us for opportunities, justice, and hope. Serve with a clear sense of purpose. Lead with empathy and always remember the trust that comes with this role.
“I want this new chapter to signify a renewed spirit of collaboration between our Permanent Secretaries and their political counterparts. The power of Government lies in the synergy between policy and administration; between vision and execution. When respect, open communication, and a shared mission guide your efforts, success is bound to follow.”
Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Bode Agoro, described the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries as “a fantastic set”, noting that they were carefully picked from the list of successful candidates already interviewed by the Governor since 2022 and 2024.
The pool, the HOS said, comprised senior Directors who crossed the hurdles of the computer-based test, Executive Training Development Programme and the Walk for Fitness Test.
Their selection, Agoro noted, was necessitated by the vacancies in the leadership of some MDAs, following the statutory retirement of the Permanent Secretaries in the MDAs.
He said: “I will like to congratulate the new Permanent Secretaries for their well-deserved appointment, while noting that to whom much is given, much is expected. I want to assure Mr. Governor that this G-10 Permanent Secretaries are fantastic set of leaders desirous to hit the ground running at any MDA of deployment.
“Personally, I have had cause to interact with them on numerous occasions since their selection, and I have noticed that they are full of zeal and enthusiasm to make their contributions towards the development of our public service and the State as a whole.”
Agoro assured the Governor that the new Permanent Secretaries would work harmoniously with their Commissioners and Special Advisers in order to accelerate the Government’s development programmes in line with the mandate of their MDAs.
Giving a note of assurance on behalf of the new Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Olufemi Omololu, deployed to Health District VI, thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in them, pledging to work harmoniously with political heads of their respective MDAs to bring the administration’s agenda to a new stage of success.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries include Mr. Babatunde Mohammed Onigbanjo, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and
Investment; Mr. Sanni Omotayo Layemo, Education District Il; Mrs. Alaka Monsurat Titilope, Office of Internal Audit; and Engr. Oyenuga Olutokunbo Olayode, Office of Infrastructure.
Others are Mr. Rafiu Olawale Ojikutu, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM); Mr. Paseda Olufemi Bamidele, Education District IV; Mrs. Garbadeen-Adedeji Oluwakemi Amudat, Audit Service Commission; Dr. Pitan Adesola Ayodele, Health District 1; and Ms. Ogunlana Toyin Rahmat, who is to assume duty as Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, effective from November 4, 2025.
Sanwo-Olu also announced immediate redeployment of eight serving Permanent Secretaries.
Dr. Aina Olugbemiga Ayoola was redeployed from the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment to Parastatals Monitoring Office; Mr. Osinaike Olusegun Olawale got reposted to Education District III from Education District IV; and Dr. Oyetola Idowu Olufunke was moved from Education District III to Education District I; and Mrs. Aina, Ololade Olasupo, from Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development to the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment
Others are Dr. Mabogunje, Abimbola, from Health District VI to Health Service Commission; Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila Adebopo Abosede, from TESCOM to Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Mr. Bajulaiye Adetokunbo Olanrewaju from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to the Ministry of Information and Strategy; Mr. Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu, from the Ministry of Wealth Creation to the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
