Obanikoro Marks One Year Transforming Oversight and Accountability Across Lagos Parastatals

As Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro marks one year as Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Parastatals Monitoring, his tenure has been characterised by significants transformation in oversight practices, strengthened accountability frameworks, and enhanced operational efficiency across Lagos State’s parastatals, agencies, and government-owned companies.

Since assuming office in December 2024, Obanikoro has repositioned the Parastatals Monitoring Office (PMO) as a strategic driver of institutional reform. His leadership has ensured that state-owned institutions operate in alignment with the T.H.E.M.E.S + Agenda, with a clear focus on service delivery, financial compliance, transparency, and value for money.

A major achievement of his first year was a comprehensive inspection covering July 2024 to June 2025. The exercise assessed financial management, procurement processes, internal controls, and project implementation across parastatals. Far from being punitive, the review was aimed at identifying operational gaps, promoting adherence to due process, and supporting agencies in adopting best practices.

To complement these inspections, the PMO organised management-level engagements, including a three-day retreat titled “Driving Oversight, Delivering Results.” The programme provided agency leaders with enhanced understanding of auditing standards, compliance requirements, and performance management, equipping them to deliver better results to the public.

Obanikoro also led hands-on working tours and on-the-spot assessments of thirty-five parastatals, agencies, and government-owned companies. These visits went beyond ceremonial routines, allowing for direct evaluation of operational challenges, identification of improvement opportunities, and reinforcement of accountability. Key institutions visited included the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, Lagos State Television and Video Exhibition Board, the Christian and Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, and Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited.

Inter-agency collaboration was strengthened under his leadership. Platforms such as the Parastatals Revenue Generating Meeting, Parastatals Interface, and Stakeholders’ Synergy Meeting were enhanced, resulting in better coordination, improved revenue performance, and solution-oriented engagements among leadership teams.

Workforce welfare also featured prominently. The PMO conducted the maiden Evaluation and Review of Contributory Pension Remittance for parastatals and agencies with directly recruited staff, safeguarding employees’ benefits and reinforcing confidence in public sector pension administration.

In January 2025, the office hosted its first leadership retreat for CEOs of parastatals and agencies under the theme “Leadership and Good Governance: Strategies for Enhancing Performance, Service Delivery and Revenue Generation.” The retreat emphasised strong leadership, ethics, and effective governance, supporting the fourth pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S + Agenda.

Additionally, a project monitoring exercise covering twenty-five parastatals was conducted to ensure judicious use of public funds, strengthen value-for-money principles, and improve outcomes for residents.

One year into his tenure, Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro has significantly transformed oversight, accountability, and institutional performance across Lagos State’s parastatals. His leadership reflects the administration’s commitment to building efficient, transparent, and results-oriented public institutions capable of delivering tangible benefits to the people.