Profile
Akinwunmi Ambode is a Nigerian politician who served as the Governor of Lagos State from 2015 to 2019, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. He was a civil servant for 27 years, and a financial consultant before he took up the governorship seat.
Personal Life
He was born on 14th June 1963 in Epe General Hospital, Lagos State, to the family of Late Festus Akinwale Ambode and Mrs Christianah Oluleye Ambode (Nee Oresanya). Ambode is the sixth child of ten children. He is married to Bolanle Patience Odukomaiya, and together, they have twins. Ambode is of the Christian faith. He owns a non-profit organization, called the La Roche Leadership Foundation – with a vision to attend to the well-being and prosperity of Nigerian students in all facets of their educational endeavours. Ambode is a former National President of the Federal Government College Warri Old Students Association (FEGOCOWOSA).
Education
| School | Qualification | Year |
| John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA | ||
| Boston University, Massachusetts, USA | Public Leadership (Finance and Accounting) | 1998 |
| University of Lagos, Lagos State | M.Sc Accounting (Financial Management) | |
| University of Lagos, Lagos State | B.Sc Accounting | 1981-1984 |
| Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State | West African Senior Secondary Certificate | 1974-1981 |
| St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos State | First School Leaving Certificate | 1969-1974 |
Work History
Work History
| Place | Position | Date |
| Brandsmiths Consulting Limited | Chief Executive Officer | 2013 |
| Lagos State | Accountant General | 2006-2012 |
| Lagos State Ministry of Finance | Permanent Secretary | 2005 |
| Lagos State Local Governments | Acting Auditor General | 2001 |
| Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State | Council Treasurer | |
| Shomolu Local Government, Lagos State | Council Treasurer | |
| Shomolu Local Government, Lagos State | Auditor | 1991 |
| Badagry Local Government, Lagos State | Assistant Treasurer | 1988-1991 |
| Lagos State Waste Disposal Board (Now LAWMA) | Accountant Grade II | |
| Central Bank of Nigeria, Sokoto State | National Youth Service Corps Member |
Political History
Following his 27 years of working in the civil service, Ambode voluntarily retired in August 2012.
In May 2015, he contested in the Lagos State gubernatorial elections, on the platform of All Progressives Congress, and he emerged the winner, making him the Governor of Lagos State. He intended to run for a second term in 2019, but he lost the APC candidate ticket to Sanwo-Olu.
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- 2019 Best Performing Governor in Nigeria Award conferred by National Image International Magazine
- 2018 Political Brand Personality of the Year for “Exemplary Performance in Governance” by Marketing Edge Magazine
- 2018 Most Innovative African Leader in Governance in West and Central Africa Award conferred by Security Watch Africa
- 2017 Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Highest Merit Award
- 2017 Best Tourism Governor Award by the Nigeria Travel Week
- 2016 Best Performing Governor in Nigeria, conferred by the African Leadership Magazine
- 2005 Recognition for Outstanding Excellence on the successful organisation of the 1st National Tax Retreat in Nigeria, conferred by the Joint Tax Board (JTB)/FIRS
- 1998 Fulbright Program Scholarship Award for the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program in Boston, Massachusetts
- 1987 Federal Government Scholarship Award for Postgraduate Studies
- Award for Second Best WAEC Result in West Africa
Project
- Under his leadership as Accountant General of Lagos State, the state’s financial performance improved visibly with the budget performing at an average of 85% annually
- Backlog payment of ₦11billion as arrears to retirees of Lagos State Government.
- Installed Skywalk Bridge to link Terminals 1 and 2 at Oshodi Bus Interchange
- Constructed Flyover bridges for Ajah and Abule-Egba areas, and Multiple Lay-by to ease traffic congestion along the Third Mainland-Iyana-Oworo-Toll Gate Road.
- Established ₦N25 billion Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, which has provided loans worth more than 5 billion Naira to more than 8,000 persons and helped create more than 11,000 jobs
- Constructed 10-lane Oshodi–Murtala Muhammed Int’l Airport Road
- Established Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA in 2017, for speedy redress of consumers’ complaints
- Built the Safety Arena, in Oshodi, to bring all the Departments and Agencies responsible for the safety and emergency management under one roof.
- Upgraded 14 flagship Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs); Provided 20 Mobile Care Unit ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances across the State
- Established Relief Resettlement Camps in Agbowa and Igando to cater for IDPs across the State
- Presented 500 million Naira in Grants to 275 Community Development Associations in July 2018 to enable them to complete various self-help projects.
Criticism/Controversy
On August 6th, 2019, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission froze three bank accounts linked to Ambode, containing a total of ₦9.9 billion. Ambode was accused of allegedly misappropriating funds during his four years of serving as the Governor of Lagos State.
