The election of Rt Honourable Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly is divine and historic, reports thegazellenews.com.
It is divine because Meranda’s election revealed the wish of God anchored on the collective desire of the people; it is historic because by so doing, Meranda has written her name in the history book of Lagos politics: first, by her election as the Speaker, she automatically becomes the youngest member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC); and more importantly, the first ever female Speaker of the state Assembly.
Lasbat is very humble, for those who know her and work with her, she is always the first to greet when you meet her on the road. You can’t see her shouting when she speaks, she doesn’t wear frown on her face like cloth, and she has listening ears to anyone that goes to her for one help or the other.
Yet Mojisola is royalty personified. She was born of the blue blood but won’t wear it on her forehead like some in her position will do.
Born on August 16, 1980, to the family of the late Chief T. A. Lawal Akapo, the Ojora of Lagos, and Princess M. A. Lawal-Akapo, she hails from prominent royal families of Lagos: Ojora, Aromire, Onitolo, Oloto, and Oniru. Her father, a former legislator and traditional ruler, and her brother, His Royal Majesty AbdulWasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Oniru of Iru land, have inspired her lifelong commitment to public service.
Mrs Meranda’s educational journey began at St. Charles Nursery and Primary School and Randle Primary School, Surulere. She continued at Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School and Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, where she distinguished herself as a leader. Her academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the Lagos State University in 2013 and ongoing postgraduate studies at the University of Lagos. Additionally, she holds an Advanced Certificate in Software Development, showcasing her versatility and commitment to lifelong learning.
Her career spans both the public and private sectors. She gained valuable experience as a Procurement Manager in the oil and gas industry with Cirrus Nigeria Limited and later as Head of Operations at Worthline International Services Limited. Her early political career included high-profile roles in Apapa Local Government, such as Senior Special Assistant on Intervention and Intergovernmental Affairs and Supervisory Councillor for Health.
As a legislator, Mrs Meranda has emphasised the importance of refining existing laws to align with modern realities. Rather than focusing solely on new bills, she has advocated for repealing and amending outdated laws to ensure proper enforcement and relevance. Beyond legislative work, her impact is evident in her constituency projects, which include medical outreaches, providing JAMB forms, training automobile mechanics, furnishing schools, constructing water projects, and empowering petty traders and widows.
A staunch advocate for gender equality, she has called for fair representation of women in politics.
Her political journey, characterised by determination and grassroots connection, inspires women aspiring to leadership roles.
Mrs Meranda’s leadership style reflects her resilience and dedication to service. She firmly believes that power is earned, not given, and her story exemplifies the rewards of perseverance._
“Power is not served à la carte,” she often states, highlighting the hard work, networking, and strategic campaigning that have defined her political career.
She was first elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015 to represent Apapa State Constituency I. Then she served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
She was reelected in 2019 and she became a Principal Officer as she was named the Chief Whip of the Assembly.
Being so resourceful, accessible and responsive to the needs of her constituents, she was reelected again in 2023 and she was elected the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. Now, God has elevated her to the highest position of leading the members and most believed and have confidence in her to deliver the goods.
“She is humble, she has the experience because she is in her third term and I am very confident that although this is impromptu, Lasbat possesses all the qualities to lead the House,” a prominent member of the GAC told thegazellenews.com.
A former member of the Assembly from one of the state constituencies in the Lagos West Senatorial District described the new Speaker as a breath of fresh air.
“She has all the experience needed to excel. I am very confident that she will succeed. However I want to call on all and sundry to rally round her and give her the needed support and cooperation to ease her assignment,” the former lawmaker said.
As one of only four women in the 40-member Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs Meranda’s role as Speaker is both a personal milestone and a symbolic victory for women in Nigerian politics. Her vision for Lagos is one of inclusivity, progress, and empowerment, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of gender, has a voice in shaping the state’s future.
