Claim: Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, claims his cabinet consists of over 30% women.
Verdict: TRUE. Our findings show the Lagos state government’s cabinet has a representation of women 30% and above.
Full Text
In the lead-up to the governorship and state House of Assembly election, candidates contesting for public offices have intensified their efforts to get the support of the people.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, seeking re-election for a second term, made a series of tweets to celebrate International Women’s Day.
In this Twitter thread, he asserted that his government had kept its promise of having over 30% women in its cabinet.
A cabinet consists of high-ranking state officials responsible for providing government services. In some places, they are a collegiate decision-making body with collective responsibility, while in others, it may be to play a purely advisory role or assisting role to the head of government (governor or president).
According to the governor, his deliberate policy on female representation brought a lot of women leaders into key positions in Lagos.
While many applauded the governor for a job well done, a Twitter user Doctor Spec (@doctorspec_ds), disagrees. In his comment, Doctor Spec said, “No one believes your words because it’s full of lies.”
DUBAWA decided to verify Mr Sanwo-Olu’s assertion to set the records straight.
Verification
According to Lagos State’s official website, there are 42 state Executive Council members, for Lagos state including the governor and deputy. Outside the governor and deputy governor, there are 40 executives, 12 females and 28 males, 30% and 70%, respectively.
Also, a report by Premium Times showed seven special advisers appointed by the governor in 2022. This appointment is male-dominated, having just two female appointees. These female appointees are Aderemi Adebowale; Special Adviser, Civic Engagement and Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Special Adviser on Housing.
A comprehensive list of commissioners and special advisers appointed by the Lagos state government from 2019-2023 also shows a similar trend.
Eight of the 22 commissioners appointed are female, while 14 are male. This shows approximately 36% representation of women and 64% representation of men.
The eight female commissioners are; Folashade Adefisayo (Education), Cecilia Bolaji Dada (Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation), Ajibola Ponnle (Establishment, Training and Pension), Aramide Adeyoye (Works and Infrastructure), Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf (Home Affairs), Yetunde Arobieke (Local Government and Community Affairs), Lola Akande (Commerce and Industry) and Olufunke Adebolu (Tourism Arts and Culture).
There are nine men and four women for special advisers, which is 69% and 31%, respectively.
The four special advisers are; Ruth Bisola Olusanya (Special Adviser on Agriculture), Aderemi Adebowale (Special Adviser on Civic Engagement), Toke Benson-Awoyinka (Special Adviser on Housing) and Solape Hammond (Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals).
Conclusion
Our findings show that the Lagos state government’s cabinet has a representation of women 30% and above. The claim by the governor is, therefore, true.
