I Owe My Rise to Tinubu | Sanwo-Olu’s Admission Sparks Godfatherism Debate

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stirred public debate after attributing his leadership growth and political ascent to his long-standing relationship with President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at the Lagos Leadership Summit on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu shared personal anecdotes about how Tinubu mentored him by entrusting him with key responsibilities across various sectors in Lagos State, long before he became governor. His comments have reignited discussions about political patronage and the influence of godfatherism in Nigeria’s leadership structures.

Your ability to handle small tasks effectively opens the door for bigger leadership roles, Sanwo-Olu told a gathering of young leaders at the event, which was organised by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy and held at Konga Place, Lekki.

Sanwo-Olu, a trained investment banker, joined public service in 2002 when Tinubu appointed him as Special Adviser on Economic Matters. He revealed that he was subsequently moved across strategic roles in Transportation, Environment, Public Safety, and Education—experiences he said shaped his capacity for leadership.

“The transformation of Lagos started under Tinubu. I was lucky to be there, exposed to high-level engagements and given the opportunity to lead multiple portfolios,Sanwo-Olu said. When I worked in revenue generation, we grew the numbers. In the Environment sector, I disrupted the norm. I wasn’t chasing rewards; I was simply doing the work.

Critics, however, argue that his narrative reinforces the problematic cycle of political loyalty determining appointments rather than merit or public endorsement.

After Tinubu’s exit in 2007, Sanwo-Olu continued to serve under former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was also present at the summit. Sanwo-Olu recalled being posted to a low-profile ministry, which he described as a “dry land,” but claimed it brought out his best and further prepared him for the governorship.

Former Minister Fashola used the opportunity to weigh in on the summit’s theme, Transformative Leadership: Developing Responsive, Adaptive and Inclusive Models, calling for genuine inclusivity and equal representation in leadership.

True leadership is about ensuring no one feels excluded,” Fashola said, urging leaders to engage more with citizens through platforms like town halls.

Traditional rulers, including the Olu of Warri, Emir of Zazzau, and the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, were among the summit’s high-profile attendees. The Executive Secretary of the LJLA, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, celebrated the summit’s large turnout, saying it reflected a hunger for visionary and inclusive leadership among young Nigerians.

However, social media reactions have been mixed. While some praised Sanwo-Olu’s openness and credited Tinubu’s political structure for grooming leaders, others criticized the governor for reinforcing a system where advancement appears tied more to loyalty than public accountability.