“Working with Lagos Governors Has Been Rewarding” — Ayoola Praises Tinubu’s Legacy, Sanwo-Olu’s Reforms
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Internal Audit, Dr. Oyeyemi Ayoola, has described working with successive governors as “interesting and rewarding.”
The Igbobi-Sabe-born chartered accountant stated that the state has been consistently blessed with visionary and hardworking leaders.
Dr. Ayoola, who holds first and second degrees as well as a PhD in Accounting, reflected on her decades of service under successive administrations led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The governor’s aide credited President Tinubu with laying the foundation for inclusive governance by actively involving civil servants in decision-making and investing in their capacity development.
Dr. Ayoola, who hails from the Adoyi Alashe ancestral family in Lagos, said Tinubu’s model has been sustained by subsequent administrations, leading to continuous growth and development in the state.
“Successive governors — Fashola, Ambode, and Sanwo-Olu — followed that line, and it is making Lagos greater,” she said.
She described the four governors as cerebral and hardworking.
The governor’s aide added that Tinubu’s reputation as a “talent hunter” has ensured a seamless transition of capable leadership over the years.
“Our governors are cerebral and people-centric. President Tinubu, as you know, is a talent hunter. After him, Governor Fashola was very cerebral and hardworking. Governor Ambode too was very hardworking, and the present governor, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, is very cerebral. But you just have to give it to President Tinubu; he is the father of all,” she said.
Dr. Ayoola said her decision to remain active in public service after retiring as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance was driven by her passion to give back to society and the inspiration she draws from notable figures, including the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
She said: “I see examples and mentorship, especially in Senator Oluremi Tinubu. She is a woman I admire a lot. Many people do not know that she achieved a lot in the business world before going into politics. When I see women like that, I am encouraged that it is not about retiring to sit back. Senator Tinubu gives so much back to society, and that is what I do and will continue to do. This inspired me to found a non-governmental organisation called the Women Inclusion in Policy Advancement Organisation (WINPAO).”
Dr. Ayoola, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), outlined her career progression through key financial and administrative positions, including Council Treasurer, Director of Finance and Accounts, Director of the Project Financial Management Unit (PFMU) of the State Treasury Office, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
The governor’s aide noted that these roles enabled her to contribute significantly to policy development and implementation.
She said: “I wrote the financial feasibility reports on the collaboration between Lagos State and Kebbi State on the production of LAKE Rice. We also trained Lagos youths under the Agric Youth Empowerment Scheme (Agric-YES). I was part of the team that initiated Agric-YES in the state and supervised the financial business plans for all graduates of the programme. It was a huge success, and till today, we still have many young agri-preneurs in Lagos State. I always strive to add value in any position I find myself. As Permanent Secretary, we were able to achieve a lot for the staff of Lagos State.”
Ayoola said she spearheaded several initiatives, including Insurance Week, to promote awareness of insurance benefits among civil servants, while also encouraging private sector participation through corporate social responsibility.
According to her, these efforts led to the distribution of houses and vehicles to civil servants.
She also highlighted her role in initiating “LOLA,” a payment platform used by the Ministry of Finance for Land Use Charge revenue collection.
In her current role under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, she said she has introduced innovations such as the Payment Voucher Tracker and a biometric staff auditing system aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in public service.
