My experiences working with Tinubu, Fashola, Ambode, Sanwo-Olu by Ayoola
The Special Adviser to 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
- By Tajudeen Adebanjo
The Special Adviser to 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 had her first, second degrees and 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 is from 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 ability 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 hard-working. Governor Ambode too, was very hard-working 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 retirement as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance was driven by a passion to give back to the society and the inspiration drawn from icons - the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Director-General of 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 has done a lot in the business world before going into politics. When I see women like that, I am encouraged that it’s not about me retiring to sit back. Senator Tinubu gives a lot back to society, and that is what I do and will keep doing. This has led me into founding a non-governmental organisation called “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 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 of Lagos State with Kebbi State on the production of LAKE Rice. Then, we had the training of Lagos Youth on Agri-Preneur called the Agric Youth empowerment Scheme (Agric-YES). I was part of the team that started the Agric-YES in the state and I supervised the financial business plans for all graduates of the program. It was a huge success. Till date, we still have many young agri-preneurs in Lagos State. I strive to add value in any position I found myself. While I was a permanent secretary, we were able to do a lot for the staff of Lagos State.”
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Ayoola said she spearheaded many initiatives, such as Insurance Week to promote awareness of insurance benefits among civil servants, and encouraging private sector players to support workers through corporate social responsibility.
According to her, this 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 capacity under Babajide Sanwo-Olu, she said she has introduced innovations, such as the Payment Voucher Tracker and a biometric staff auditing system aimed at improving transparency and accountability in public service.
