Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, born on August 16, 1980, in Lagos, Nigeria, has made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Her journey from a politically active family to a prominent political figure reflects her dedication and commitment to public service.
Mojisola Meranda hails from distinguished Lagos royal families, including the Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru lineages. Her late father, Chief T.A. Lawal Akapo, was a legislator who later ascended to the position of the Ojora of Lagos. Growing up in such an environment, she was exposed to the intricacies of governance and public service from an early age.
Meranda’s educational journey began at Randle Primary School, where she completed her primary education in 1992. She then attended Anglican Girls Grammar School and Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, earning her West African Senior Certificate (WASC) in 1998. Demonstrating a keen interest in technology, she pursued a Certificate in Software Development (Network Engineering) from the National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT).
Meranda’s political career commenced as a personal assistant to the Senior Special Assistant in Information Technology. She later served as a personal assistant to the Director of the Land Information System Support Unit (LISSU) in the Surveyor General’s office. Her dedication led her to roles such as Office Manager at Cirrus Nigeria Limited and Managing Director/CEO of Worthline International Services Limited, a company she founded. She also served as the Senior Special Assistant on Intervention and Inter-Governmental Relations in Apapa Local Government and later as Supervisor for Health in the same local government.
In 2015, Meranda was elected to represent Apapa Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Her leadership qualities were recognized, leading to her appointment as Deputy Speaker on June 6, 2023. Following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office, Meranda was elected as the Speaker on January 13, 2025, making her the first female to hold this esteemed position in Lagos State.
Mojisola Meranda’s ascent to the role of Speaker signifies a monumental step in Nigerian politics, highlighting the increasing role of women in leadership positions. Her journey from a politically engaged family to a trailblazer in the legislative arena serves as an inspiration to many aspiring leaders.
For more insights into Mojisola Meranda’s historic appointment, watch the YouTube video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imz0bg8sDbo
