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CLAIM: Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos APC governorship candidate claims that Lagos State has 66 Permanent Secretaries and 49 of them are women.
FINDINGS: According to official statements from the Lagos State Government, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had sworn in a cumulative total of 111 permanent secretaries since the inception of his administration in May 2019 up to March 2025.
In October 2025, Nigeria Tribune reported that Sanwo-Olu swore in 10 new permanent secretaries, raising the tally to 121. In April 2026, Punch reported that Sanwo-Olu swore in another seven permanent secretaries, bringing the total to 128. By October 2026, after swearing in another six permanent secretaries, Punch reported that the administration’s cumulative appointment tally had reached 135.
However, these figures represent cumulative appointments over seven years rather than the exact number of currently serving (non-retired) permanent secretaries.
On gender representation, available public records point to approximate 50-50 gender parity within the Lagos State Body of Permanent Secretaries, rather than the 74.2 per cent female majority (49 out of 66) Hamzat claims.
During a September 2024 recognition event hosted by Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), a report highlighted that 50 per cent of permanent secretaries in Lagos State are women.
The exact figure of 66 serving permanent secretaries and 49 women cannot be independently verified from public records.
VERDICT: Insufficient evidence.
DATE: Nov. 13, 2026.
SOURCE: Lagos State Government, Daily Post, Nigeria Tribune, Punch, Women in Management, Business and Public Service
AUTHOR: Zainab Abdulrasaq
EDITOR(S): Motunrayo Joel and Elizabeth Ogunbamowo.