Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday swore in Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa as the substantive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, urging him to prioritise grassroots development and align his administration with the state’s broader development agenda.

The swearing-in ceremony, which also featured the inauguration of Toyin Adejimiwa as a Permanent Secretary, was held at Lagos House, Ikeja.

Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, had been serving as Acting Chairman of Agege Local Government prior to his confirmation and formal inauguration.

Addressing the newly sworn-in officials, Sanwo-Olu described local government as the tier of government closest to the people, stressing the need for visible, responsive and compassionate leadership.

He urged the Agege council chairman to govern inclusively, shun divisive tendencies and focus on delivering measurable outcomes to residents, noting that discipline, performance and service delivery remained the benchmarks for leadership and advancement in Lagos State.

The governor also acknowledged the presence of retired permanent secretaries at the event, describing them as exemplary public servants whose legacies continued to inspire the state’s civil service.

Sanwo-Olu congratulated Adejimiwa and Obasa on behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, expressing confidence that they would justify the trust reposed in them and contribute meaningfully to the state’s progress.

In their separate responses, Adejimiwa and Obasa thanked the governor for the confidence placed in them and pledged to uphold the core values, professionalism and standards of public service in Lagos State.

Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa’s emergence as substantive chairman followed the resignation of the former council chairman, Tunde Azeez, who stepped down in November due to prolonged health challenges. His resignation letter was read during plenary at the Agege Council Chamber, after which councillors unanimously confirmed Obasa, who had been acting in the role.

Obasa had earlier indicated interest in contesting the chairmanship ahead of the 2025 local government elections but was reportedly dropped at the time amid opposition to his candidacy.