Rt Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda: The Making Of The First Female Speaker In Lagos

She is generally described as a resilient woman who has navigated her path in politics so well.

At 44 , Hon. Mojisola Meranda made history as the first female to take oath as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly following a political twist that resulted in the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, erstwhile speaker who held sway since 2015.

This story of  Hon Mojisola’s journey to becoming the new number one lawmaker in Lagos will make an interesting read.

EARLY LIFE: Born on 16 August 1980, to the family of the late Chief T. A. Lawal Akapo (Ojora of Lagos) and Princess M. A. Lawal-Akapo of the royal families of Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru. She is a sister to the current Oniru of Iruland, HRM Oba Gbolahan Lawal.

Young Moji attended St. Charles Nursery and Primary School before moving to Randle Primary School at Randle Avenue in Surulere from 1986 to 1992. She also attended Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School and Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, both in Surulere. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from the Lagos State University.CORPORATE LIFE: Mrs Meranda worked in the oil and gas industry with Cirrus Nigeria Limited as a procurement manager between 2007 and 2008. Politics came to play at some point during her days in the corporate world. She joined Worthline International Services Limited as head of operations in 2014. Worthline was originally registered in 2012, with Mrs Meranda as a director.

POLITICS

Her first active role in politics was in 2008, in Apapa Local Government -first as a senior special assistant on intervention and intergovernmental affairs to the then Chairman, Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, and later as a supervisory councillor for health. Then in 2015, she was first elected as a member of the House. Representing Apapa Constituency 1, Meranda got re-elected in 2019 and 2023.

She is a vocal advocate for women’s rights who challenges stereotypes and calls for greater representation of women in politics. She has also implemented various constituency projects, including medical outreaches and educational support initiatives.

PRIVATE LIFE

Rt Hon. Meranda got married not too long ago. She is generally described as a resilient woman who has navigated her path in politics well.

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