Mojisola Meranda: Lagos’ First Female Speaker
Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa I, has made history by being elected as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, becoming the first female to hold this prestigious position in the parliament since 1999. This groundbreaking development follows the removal of Mudashiru Obasa, who had been serving as the Speaker since 2015. The impeachment of Obasa took place during the plenary session in the Lagos House of Assembly on Monday, following allegations of gross misconduct against him.
Obasa’s Downfall and Controversies
The removal of Obasa, who fell out of favor due to his controversial comments on the Lagos 2027 governorship, paved the way for Meranda’s historic election. In November last year, during Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s presentation of the 2025 budget, Obasa sparked controversy by asserting that he is not too young or lacking in experience to run for Lagos governor, claiming that his predecessors were not superior to him. Additionally, Obasa faced accusations of extravagantly spending N17 billion on a gate for the assembly complex, mishandling constituency funds, and projects.
Meet Mojisola Lasbat Meranda: A Trailblazer
Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, a Lagos blue blood, has a rich political and educational background that has prepared her for this historic role. Born on August 16, 1980, to the prestigious families of late Chief T. A Lawal Akapo (Ojora of Lagos) and Princess M. A. Lawal-Akapo, Mrs. Meranda’s ties to the royal families of Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru run deep. Her father was a local legislator who later became the Ojora of Lagos, while her mother hails from the renowned Oniru family in Lagos. Her brother is the Oniru of Iru land, Oba AbdulWasiu Omogbolahan Lawal.
Mrs. Meranda’s educational journey began at St. Charles Nursery and Primary School, followed by Randle Primary School and Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School in Surulere. She then attended Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, where she excelled as a library prefect and secretary of the press club. After obtaining her West African School Certificate, she pursued software development and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the Lagos State University. In 2018, she furthered her education at the University of Lagos.
Mojisola Meranda’s Political Rise
In 2003, Mrs. Meranda started her political career as a personal assistant to Dr. Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, a senior special assistant to Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She ventured into the oil and gas industry before returning to politics in 2008, where she held various roles in the Apapa local government. In 2014, she joined Worthline International Services Limited, where she eventually became a director. Her political journey culminated in her election as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015, a role she has successfully held since then.
With her extensive experience and dedication to public service, Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda is poised to lead the Lagos State House of Assembly with integrity, passion, and a commitment to serving the people of Lagos. As the first female Speaker in over two decades, her historic election marks a new chapter in Lagos’ political landscape, setting a precedent for gender equality and leadership excellence.
