The Lagos State House of Assembly has made history by electing Mojisola Meranda as its first female Speaker. Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency I, replaced Mudashiru Obasa, who was impeached on Monday over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Meranda’s rise to the top legislative position is a significant milestone in the history of Lagos politics. As she assumed her new role, many described her journey as an inspiring example of resilience and dedication to public service.
An Inspiring Journey
Born in August 1980 in Lagos, Meranda’s educational and professional accomplishments have prepared her for the challenging responsibilities of leadership. She began her education at Randle Primary School and later attended Anglican Girls Grammar School and Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, where she earned her West African Senior Certificate in 1998.
Her academic pursuits continued with a Certificate in Software Development from NIIT, a B.Sc. in Public Administration from Lagos State University (LASU) in 2013, and a Master’s in Public and International Affairs (MPIA) from the University of Lagos in 2020. She is currently studying for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Public Sector Management at the University of York in the United Kingdom.
Meranda’s career began in public service as a personal assistant in various government roles, including the Surveyor General’s office. She later ventured into private enterprise as the Managing Director/CEO of Worthline International Services Limited, a company she founded.
Her political career took root in the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and its successive parties, the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and now the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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A Decade of Legislative Service
Meranda first won election to the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015. In her first term, she chaired the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), advocating for gender equality and community development. She also led the Committee on Establishment, Training, Pension, and Public Service.
In the 9th Assembly, she served as Chief Whip, and in the current 10th Assembly, she was Deputy Speaker until her historic election as Speaker.
Breaking Barriers
As the first female Speaker in Lagos State history, Meranda’s appointment is being celebrated as a step forward for women’s representation in politics. Reflecting on her journey, Meranda has often emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance.
Political analysts have praised her experience and leadership qualities, highlighting her commitment to addressing issues such as poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, and public sector reforms.
A New Era for the Lagos Assembly
With her assumption of office, Meranda is expected to bring a fresh perspective to legislative leadership in Lagos. Her colleagues in the Assembly and residents of Lagos are hopeful that her tenure will be marked by transparency, innovation, and impactful governance.
Her historic election is not just a victory for her but a symbol of progress in Nigerian politics, where women are gradually breaking barriers and taking on more leadership roles.