Who is Lagos State’s First Female Speaker, Mojisola Meranda?

On January 13, 2025, following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Her election is a historic milestone, making her the first female Speaker in the state’s history since 1999.

Early Life and Royal Lineage

Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, born on August 16, 1980, in Lagos, Nigeria, hails from a distinguished lineage, being a descendant of the Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru royal families in Lagos. Her late father, Chief T.A. Lawal-Akapo, served as a legislator before becoming the Ojora of Lagos, while her mother, Princess Muinat Lawal-Akapo, is from the Oniru royal family.

Educational Background

Meranda’s educational journey began at Randle Primary School. She proceeded to Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School and later Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, where she completed her secondary education in 1998. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning, she obtained a Certificate in Software Development (Network Engineering) from NIIT in 2005. In 2013, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University (LASU).

Her pursuit of higher education continued with a Master’s in Public and International Affairs (MPIA) from the University of Lagos in 2020. Currently, she is undertaking a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Public Sector Management at the University of York, United Kingdom.

Professional and Political Career

At the age of 23, Meranda commenced her professional career as a personal assistant to Dr. Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, the Senior Special Assistant on Information Technology to then-Governor Bola Tinubu. She later served as a procurement manager at Cirrus Nigeria Limited. Her foray into public service continued at the Apapa Local Government Area, where she held positions including Senior Special Assistant on Intervention and Inter-Governmental Relations and Supervisory Councillor for Health.

Her political journey began with the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), transitioning through the Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), before aligning with the All Progressives Congress (APC). In 2015, she was elected to represent Apapa Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly and has been re-elected twice since.

During her tenure, she has held significant roles, including Chief Whip of the Ninth Assembly and Deputy Speaker. Her legislative focus has been on amending outdated laws and implementing impactful constituency projects such as medical outreaches, educational initiatives, and water supply programs.

Advocacy and Leadership

Meranda is a vocal advocate for women’s rights and greater representation in politics. She challenges stereotypes and emphasizes that women are equally capable of holding leadership positions. Her dedication to public service and community development is evident through various initiatives, including support for petty traders and widows, as well as training programs for artisans.

Mojisola Meranda’s journey from a young political enthusiast to the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly is a testament to her dedication and resilience. Her leadership marks a new chapter in the assembly’s history, with the promise of increased inclusivity and a renewed focus on good governance.