A Close Look at Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Governor

We live in a time where cameras are everywhere. They capture serious moments and everyday life, beauty and ugliness, decency and indecency. Those who understand the art of photography turn their experiences into powerful stories. These stories, told through images of human emotions, places, ideas, and events, have greatly influenced the world. Laura Morton, a documentary photographer from San Francisco, says cameras are tools for exploration and gateways to deeper understanding. Mary Golon, who is the Assistant Managing Editor and Director of Photography at The Washington Post, points out that photography can inform, educate, and touch people around the globe without needing a common language. In his essay, “The Past Recaptured,” Paul Theroux, a well-known American writer, believes photography gives history a human touch by providing clear images. He argues further that “while the eye is selective, the camera lens is not. This is why photography, when done well, is both an art and a science, the success of technology creating a beautiful and balanced piece.” Salman Rushdie’s novel, The Ground Beneath Her Feet, has a clever narrator who notes that photography is a “gift of permanent vision, of turning sight into memory, of the real into the eternal, the gift of immortality given to humanity.”

Ademola Olaniran, the author of Sanwo-Olu Against All Odds: A Photo-Story of Resilience in the Face of Adversity, seems to share these views. He documented Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s first term as governor through photography. His camera was always ready as he captured hundreds of images. He worked hard to get genuine shots, or what Robert Draper calls ‘the epic shot.’ This engaging photobook shows his dedication and patience. The chosen photographs are filled with memories and meaning. High-quality images, along with inspiring quotes from figures like Rudyard Kipling and Aristotle, enhance its appeal. The book also includes QR codes that connect readers to audio-visual archives of the work done in many ministries, creating an official history of the Sanwo-Olu administration. I say official history because a book like this is bound to tell a selective story.

How did Babajide Sanwo-Olu become the fifteenth governor of Lagos State, which is Nigeria’s economic heart? On 18 September 2018, when he announced his intention to run for governor, he had already served as an adviser to Otunba Femi Pedro, the then Deputy Governor of Lagos State, and had been a commissioner three times under different leaders. He also acted as the Managing Director and CEO of the Lagos State Development Property Company (LSDPC). Importantly, he had the strong backing of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a political heavyweight who has influenced Lagos politics for nearly thirty years. On 30 September 2018, the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) named him the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). All thirty-six members of the Lagos State House of Assembly supported him unanimously. A key opponent, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, stepped aside for him. This agreement at the top caused some tension among party members, but most grievances were settled quickly. Sanwo-Olu won the APC governorship primaries on 2 October 2018 with 970,851 votes, while the incumbent, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, received 72,901 votes. Yet, divisions within the party and doubts among voters lingered. Sanwo-Olu took on the challenge of uniting different factions. The APC then presented a strong front that defeated Mr Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election on 9 March 2019 after a tough campaign.

The book features images of party leaders like President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and others at various rallies. They promoted their candidates and shared the APC's plans, which were based on the Greater Lagos Agenda called THEMES Plus. This stands for Transportation, Traffic management, Technology, Tourism, Transparency in Finance, Healthcare, Housing, Environment, Education, Economy, Entertainment, and Security. This vigorous campaign led to their swearing-in on 29 May 2019 as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

Less than ten months into their tenure, Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) arrived in Lagos on 27 February 2020, brought by an Italian who flew in from Milan. This caused panic across Nigeria. Throughout history, viruses have caused more deaths than wars. Many feared Covid-19 would devastate Africa, which was particularly vulnerable. But before deaths surged, Lagos was ready to fight back. The governor and his team set up the Lagos State Incident Command Structure (ICS) to combat the spread of the virus. Seeing this as a war, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu took charge as the Lagos State Incident Commander. His key ally was Professor Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health. Their team worked hard to reduce deaths. Lockdowns were enforced. Lagosians were instructed to wear face masks, maintain social distance, and keep clean. Movement restrictions were tough, but necessary. Many worked from home. The number of Covid-19 tests increased, and diagnosis became easier. Many hotspots in Lagos were quickly quarantined, and patients received quality care. The book illustrates the efforts of the Incident Commander and his team, working alongside the Federal Government, organizations like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and private donors like Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

As if Covid-19 was not enough, a major gas explosion occurred at Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area on 15 March 2020, destroying entire neighborhoods. This was followed by the #EndSARS protests that began on 8 October 2020, with Lagos at the center. The protests put immense pressure on the Sanwo-Olu administration, especially when peaceful demonstrations turned chaotic between 14 and 19 October 2020. By 23 October 2020, when the governor toured the city to assess damage, he was shocked by the destruction. The historic Federal High Court was burned down. Seventeen police stations were set on fire. Major bus terminals were damaged, and many buses destroyed. The Nigeria Ports Authority’s offices in Lagos were attacked. The Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government was burned down, and over forty cars were destroyed. The multi-billion naira DNA and Forensic Centre, the first of its kind in West Africa, was completely ruined. A section of the Oba of Lagos' palace was vandalized. The headquarters of TVC Communications was damaged, and thugs not only vandalized City Hall but also left behind waste in many offices. In our beloved city, many public and private properties were lost. Following the clash between protesters and security forces, there were casualties. Governor Sanwo-Olu's efforts to restore peace included urging young people to be calm, a trip to Abuja to present their demands to President Muhammadu Buhari, and establishing a Judicial Panel of Inquiry led by Justice Doris Okuwobi to investigate the unrest. The book notes that while Olaniran and his team support the right to protest, they condemn those who took pleasure in the loss of lives and property during the #EndSARS protests.

Just when the painful memories of the #EndSARS protests were still fresh, a twenty-one-storey building on 42 Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed on 1 November 2021. It made headlines immediately. At that time, Governor Sanwo-Olu was in Rome for an investment trip before heading to a climate change conference in Glasgow. Professor Abayomi, who was with him, mentions in the book that Sanwo-Olu learned about the tragedy before his speech. He quickly canceled his plans and returned to Lagos due to the severity of the incident. He formed a Panel of Inquiry to investigate the collapse that killed forty-five people, including Mr Femi Osibona, the Managing Director of Fourscore Heights Limited. The six-member panel, led by the President of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Mr Toyin Ayinde, found that building codes and regulations were ignored.

These tragic events did not break Governor Sanwo-Olu. Instead, they made him more determined to succeed. He learned to manage tough situations better. The book shows many powerful photos of his administration's achievements. These include constructing roads and bridges, launching LAGRide in partnership with CIG Group, replacing buses lost during the #EndSARS violence, building more bus and jetty terminals, and improving LAGFERRY operations. It also highlights investments in Lekki Deep Seaport to establish Nigeria as a maritime hub in West and Central Africa, the Blue and Red Lines Intra-city Rail projects, and the construction of modern healthcare facilities. Other accomplishments include capacity building for workers, empowering youth and women, improving classrooms, building a 8,272-bed hostel for Lagos State University, and partnering with Oando Clean Energy Limited to promote clean transportation. The book also notes efforts to enhance internet connectivity, create a business-friendly atmosphere, invest in technology, provide affordable housing, construct Africa's largest rice mill in Imota, and support the Nigerian Army and police with modern equipment. Sanwo-Olu’s efforts in cultural events, sports, music, and heritage preservation are also documented. The book argues that these successes led to the governor and his deputy being re-elected on 11 March 2023.

There are photos of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at local and international summits. He engaged with global business leaders and politicians about growing the economy and managing a megacity like Lagos. The book also shows him and his wife campaigning against rape and receiving awards for his work in health, leadership, infrastructure, governance, education, and economic development. Many leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, praised him for his determination, selflessness, emotional intelligence, and sense of responsibility. A memorable photo shows Governor Sanwo-Olu holding a small model of the Lagos Blue Line alongside his predecessors, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, and Mr Akinwunmi Ambode. What does this image represent? It signifies a continuous legacy: a smooth transition of power in Lagos over the last thirty years. How has this strong political presence benefited Lagos State? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.