Exploring the Inspiring Journey of Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR!
Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, is indeed a prominent figure in Lagos state and particularly in Alimosho local government. She’s a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has held various leadership positions.
Born on September 29, 1959, in Lagos State, Princess Orelope-Adefulire hails from a royal lineage. She attended Salvation Army Primary School and St. Joseph’s Secondary School, before studying sociology and social work at Lagos State University.
Her political journey began in 1992 when she was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Alimosho Constituency I. She was one of the first two female members of the assembly, alongside Late Hon. Mrs. Bola Banjo. She later became the Deputy Governor of Lagos State from 2011 to 2015, under Governor Babatunde Fashola.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a position she was appointed to in 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari and reappointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 due to her sterling performance during the Former’s administration.
She is the Apex Leader of the APC in Alimosho Federal Constituency and a member of Governance Advisory Council (GAC) making her a key figure in the party’s decision-making process.
Her dedication to public service and sustainable development has earned her recognition, including the Guinness World Records for the most children reading aloud with an adult at a single location.
In her capacity as the SSA to the President on SDGs, she provides strategic direction, leadership and coordination in the overall implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Nigeria. She also represents Nigeria on issues related to SDGs at the global level.
She is an accomplished public servant, administrator, social worker and grassroots politician with a passion for the advancement of the rights of women, youths and vulnerable persons. With over 30 years of public service at the national and sub-national levels, she has contributed enormously to the development landscape of Nigeria through advocacy, social work and development planning and management.
As the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, where she doubled as the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Prior to this, she was the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation between 2003 and 2011.
During this period, she co-sponsored the Child Right’s Law and the Domestic Violence Law in Lagos State (2007). She equally facilitated the establishment of 22 functional Skills Acquisition Centres for the unemployed young men and women and a 176-Bed Transit Home for the victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Orelope is the first female lawmaker in Lagos State. In 2001, she was appointed an Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State, Independent National Electoral Commission – a position she held until 2003.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire has initiated and led the implementation of a number of strategic interventions, including women and youths’ economic empowerment programmes; Mother and child Hospitals; construction and rehabilitation of Schools and Vocational Skills Centres, amongst others.
In the course of her career, she has received several awards locally and internationally, including the conferment of the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2022 as well as the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award in 2023.
She is also a recipient of the United Nations SDGs Champions Award for her exceptional leadership in the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria. She was awarded the International Public Servant of the Year Award in 2007 by the Scottish Widows – a UK-based Non-Governmental Organization and bagged the Lagos State Person of the Year Award in 2009. She received the Daisey George Award 2010 in USA, as an advocate of children’s protection and development.
In 2018, she was honoured by the International Women’s Society (IWS) in recognition of her efforts at empowering and defending the rights of women, youth and children. Similarly, in recognition of her contributions towards the attainment of SDGs 8 and 10 in Nigeria, she was inducted as a Fellow of the Global Membership Platform of the Association of Business Executives (ABE) United Kingdom in May 2019. She is also a recipient of the Guinness World Records for the most children reading aloud with an adult at a single location, which she achieved while reading with 4,222 school children in 2011.
Aside from the numerous projects across Nigeria, Orelope has some notable achievements in Alimosho which include; Skills Acquisition Center: Established in Igando Ikotun LCDA, Egbeda in Alimosho local government and Church Bustop at Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA, to empower locals with skills.
Infrastructure Development: Constructed street lights across Alimosho federal constituency, enhancing safety and security.
Healthcare: Built a modern hospital at Egbeda and upgraded Igando General Hospital with a maternal and child care unit.
Transportation: Constructed vehicular bridges at Abule-Odu, Mosan Okunla LCDA, and Ikola-Ijigun (Ongoing), to ease movement and connectivity.
Recreational and Educational Facilities: Developed recreational centers and a 21st-century library, promoting socialization and learning.
Security: Reconstructed Afonka and Mosalasi police stations, donating police vans to enhance security operations, and built a police post at Egbeda.
Community Development: Initiated various projects, including the construction of roads and other infrastructure, to improve living standards.
As a dedicated public servant and philanthropist, Princess Adejoke Orelope has consistently demonstrated her commitment to empowering women, youth, and vulnerable populations. Her efforts have positively impacted lives, fostering growth and development in Alimosho and beyond.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire holds an Honorary Doctor of Arts (Poverty Alleviation and Technology Incubation) from the Lagos State University (LASU). She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree BSc. (Hons) in Sociology and Diploma in Social Work.
She is married to Chief Abiodun Akinmola Adefulire and blessed with Children.
