President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was first sworn in as Governor of Lagos State in May 29, 1999.
Tinubu was credited for appointing bright minds into his first cabinet, with many of them still loyal to the President decades later.
Naijaonpoint takes a look at Tinubu’s first set of Commissioners 1999.
1. H.E Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) – Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice/Former Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria 2015 – 2023. He fell out politically with Tinubu after he decided to contest with his former principal at the APC Presidential primary.
2. H.E Rauf Aregbesola – Commissioner for Works/Former Governor State of Osun 2010-2018/Minister for Interior 2019-2023. He was the closest to Tinubu but fell apart because of so many factors within Osun and the Abuja.
3. Alhaji Lai Mohammed – Chief of Staff/Minister for Information 2015-2023. He later join the ‘Abuja boys’ and fell out with Tinubu politically.
4. Leo Babatunde Dasilva (Late) – Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
5. Oladele Alake – Commissioner for Information & Strategy/Presently Minister for Solid Minerals. A strong and trusted ally of the President.
6. Arc. Kayode Anibaba – Commissioner for Environment and Physical Planning. He fell out with Tinubu when he wanted to contest 2007. He later left for PDP and became a Commissioner in Ogun State.
7. Chief Mumin Adio Badmus (Late) – Commission For Education and later for LG and Chieftaincy Affairs.
8. Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) – Commissioner for Special Duties. ACN/APC National Legal Adviser. AMCON chairman and now Chairman Governing Council of a Federal University. He fell apart politically with Tinubu at a time on principles but later realigned himself.
9. Olayemi Cardoso – Commissioner for Economy Physical Planning & Budget. Now CBN Governor.
10. Olusegun Dawodu – Commissioner for Sport & Youth Development. He later held the same position under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He is still actively participating in Politics.
11. Olawale Edun – Commissioner for Finance/Present Minister for Finance. A strong and trusted ally of Tinubu.
12. Chief Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi – Commissioner for Women Affair and Poverty Alleviation. Reportedly into private business and no more active politically.
13. Chief Abiola Johnson (Late) – Commissioner for Transport. He later fell out with Tinubu. He was the son of the first Minister for Sport, Chief J.M Johnson.
14. Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson (Late) – Commissioner for Establishment Training and Job Creation. Later became APC state Woman Leader/Zonal APC woman Leader and was also appointed Executive Director NSITF. A strong and trusted ally of the President before her death.
15. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro – Commissioner for Home Affairs, later Senator representing Lagos Central. He defected to PDP and became their Governorship candidate for Lagos 2007. He was appointed Ambassador and Minister for State for Defence by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Later realigned with Tinubu. A strong and trusted ally of PBAT.
16. Asipa Kaoli Olusanya – Commissioner for Agric and Co-operative. He is a strong and trusted ally of Tinubu. His daughter is the present Commissioner for Agric in Lagos State.
17. Dr. Adeleke Pitan – Commissioner for Health, later aligned with the ‘Abuja boys’ but still a strong ally of President Tinubu.
18. Olanrewaju Saka Senayon- Commissioner for Rural Development. He is not as active in the political equation even in Badagry.
19. Chief Mrs Teju Phillips – Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. She is the daughter of Ogboni Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez, who contributed immensely towards Asiwaju Governorship candidature in 1999. She’s presently the Chairman of LASACO Assurance PLC. A strong and dedicated ally of Tinubu.
20. Prof. Idowu Shobowale – Special Adviser for Education… A pure Technocrat and a Media Guru who contributed his worth of experience to the Education reform of Lagos State then. He later proceeded to established the school of Mass Communication at Lagos State University (LASU) before moving to Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State as a Lecturer.
21. Arc. Olanrewaju Towry Coker- Commissioner for Housing. A pure Technocrat who brought his expertise experience and contributed to the Design of Housing Policies in Lagos. He has since gone back to his private business.
22. Femi Obayomi Davies – Special Adviser for Local Government Administration. A former Executive Chairman Badagry LG that now has 10 LG/LCDA. He went to House of Reps in 2003 to Represent Ojo Federal Constituency but later defected to PDP. He, however, came back to the Tinubu political family.
23. Chief (Sen) Solagbade Olufemi Lanlehin – Special Adviser for Political and Legislative Matters. He was first elected House of Reps in 1992, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency under SDP. He later represented Oyo South at the Senate 2011-2015 under the ACN. He once fell apart with his friend Tinubu but later realign and supported his Presidential ambition. He is still actively involved in the Politics of Oyo State.
24. Rafiu Babatunde Tinubu (Late) – Head of Service Lagos State. He is a close family to PBAT and he later fell out with PBAT before he died 5 years ago.