Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has come under intense criticism following the recent announcement of nine new Permanent Secretaries in the state public service, a move that Muslims say further entrenches religious imbalance in governance.
A circular issued on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, by the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, confirmed the appointments of nine officials into the State’s top civil service positions.
Among those listed are Omololu Olufemi Motunolani, Sanni Omotayo Layemo, Alaka Monsurat Titilope, Onigbanjo Muhammed Tijani Babatunde, Oyenuga Olutokunbo Olayode, Ojikutu Rafiu Olawale, Paseda Olufemi Bamidele, Adedeji Oluwakemi Amudat, and Pitan Adesola Ayodele.
While the circular noted that the appointees’ deployment would be announced in due course, Muslim News’ findings revealed that two of the listed officials — Paseda Olufemi Bamidele and Sanni Omotayo Layemo — are serving principals from Education District I and II, respectively.
The duo of Bamidele and Layemo – both Christians, will occupy the two vacant Tutor-Generals/Permanent Secretaries positions in their respective education districts, following the retirement of the former occupants.
The current occupants of the remaining four districts are also Christians. They are Dr. (Mrs.) Idowu Olufunke Oyetola (District III), Mr. Olusegun Osinaike (District IV ), Mrs. Mojisola Christiana Yusuf (District VI) and Mr. Hassan David (Dauda) Abiodun (District V).
Muslim stakeholders argue that the development means that all six Tutor-Generals/Permanent Secretaries in Lagos education districts, alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, are now Christians—leaving Muslims completely excluded from the leadership structure.
“This is 6-0, not again!” a civil servant, Olanrewaju Akanbi lamented in a now viral post shared on the Whatsapp platform, accusing Mr. Sanwo-Olu of insensitivity and open disregard for Muslim concerns.
According to the civil servant, this pattern has become consistent: “We have seen 4-2, 6-0, 5-1, and now 6-0—all in favour of Christians. Governor Sanwo-Olu has shown he is anti-Muslim and not a listening leader.”
Other sources pointed out that under previous governors— including Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is now Nigerian President — the appointments were rotational and inclusive. “It has never been like this. Tinubu designed a 50-50 sharing formula to ensure inclusion. Sanwo-Olu has abandoned that spirit,” one source said.
Some concerned Muslims told Muslim News that the Governor allegedly already had specific candidates in mind, with many of them being members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The claim has heightened concerns about religious favouritism in Lagos governance.
Muslim News’ findings revealed that despite a strong pool of applicants, with over 400 out of 700 taking the CBT and 100 qualifying for interviews, many well-qualified Muslim candidates, were overlooked in the selection process.
“This dominance of key positions by RCCG members is alarming. Muslims are treated as second-class citizens in a state where they mobilised votes for the ruling APC gubernatorial candidate Mr Sanwo-Olu when President Tinubu lost Lagos in 2023. Now Mr. Sanwo-Olu has betrayed us again, the same way he did during the appointment of Commissioners,” Abdurrazaq Abdurrahman said.
Muslim leaders in Lagos expressed disappointment in the approach of the Muslim Community of Lagos State (MCLS) under Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole, whom they accused of prioritizing party loyalty over defending the Muslim Ummah.
Abdullah Adekunle, another Muslim, expressed his lack of confidence in Alhaji Oyinlomo’s leadership, stating that his administration as Chairman of the Lagos Muslim Community has yielded no positive outcomes.
According to him, The Muslims in Lagos do not deserve such a person who has lost out in the scheme of things in the political party he belongs to. The only thing he is probably after now is seeking favour from the same government.
Observers warn that the governor’s decisions could have far-reaching political consequences for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. Muslims, who form a large part of the electorate, have vowed to reconsider their political support if the alleged marginalization continues.
“This is not about religion in politics—it is about fairness. Governance is about balance. If one side is excluded, resentment will grow. Mr. Sanwo-Olu is gambling with the political future of APC in Lagos,” a political analyst, Ahmad Ismaila noted.
For now, the newly appointed permanent secretaries await deployment, but critics insist that the damage has already been done. With two vacant Tutor-General positions now filled by Christians, the Muslim community says Sanwo-Olu’s government has cemented a reputation for bias, threatening to ignite a major political backlash ahead of the 2027 elections.
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