Chief (Dr) Habeeb Olalekan Okunola, MON, OFR, President of CINI Holdings, has claimed the highly coveted title of Lagos State Man of the Year (LASMAYA) for 2025, overcoming a field of formidable government officials and titans of industry.
The stunning upset, confirmed by an impressive 6,926 votes, sends a clear message across Lagos’s political and business landscapes, highlighting a significant public endorsement for Dr Okunola’s widespread contributions and influence within the state. His triumph over such high-profile figures marks a pivotal moment in the annual LASMAYA awards, traditionally a barometer of public sentiment and recognition for outstanding leadership.
The award, instituted by the Centre for Policy Development and Political Studies, followed a rigorous and transparent voting process that tallied 16,940 valid votes. Okunola’s commanding lead underscored a decisive win that reshapes the narrative of influence in Lagos.
Engr (Chief) Tola Gbuyiro, FNSE, Managing Director of Gosslink Engineering Limited, mounted a strong challenge, securing 3,775 votes to emerge as first runner-up and closely following was Prince Fatiu Adegbola Akiolu, Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASSA), who garnered 1,780 votes.
Chief Jide Taiwo, FNIVS, RSV, Founder of Jide Taiwo & Co., and Barr Moyosore Adedoyin Ogunlewe, Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, rounded out the top five with 1,650 and 1,465 votes, respectively.
Notably, several key government functionaries and established business magnates also participated in the hotly contested race. Dr Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, Special Adviser on e-GIS and Urban Development to the Governor of Lagos State, received 70 votes, while Dr Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, secured 15 votes.
Chief Aderemi M Makanjuola, Chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, and Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, Honourable Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State, received 9 and 5 votes respectively.
Chief Okunola’s decisive victory is being widely interpreted as a demonstration to his extensive impact in the private sector and, perhaps, a reflection of public appreciation for contributions beyond the traditional realms of government or mainstream corporate behemoths. His emergence as Lagos State Man of the Year 2025 sets a new precedent, highlighting the diverse avenues through which individuals can significantly influence and contribute to the development of Africa’s most populous city.
Beyond business, Dr Okunola channels his resources into sustained social impact through the Habeeb Okunola Foundation. The foundation is active across Nigeria and Africa, working to improve healthcare access, promote quality education, provide clean water, and drive financial inclusion through training, microcredit and market access initiatives.
It supports prison reform, education grants, skills acquisition for inmates, soft loans for women traders, and free medical screenings for thousands of underserved Nigerians.
Over 5,000 residents received care during a World Hepatitis Day outreach in Lagos alone, and more than 10,000 students have benefited from school supplies annually
Last year, the foundation earned Dr Okunola the Humanitarian Personality of the Year 2024 award from The Sun Newspaper, for its work empowering the less privileged, especially women and children.
While many await the official LASMAYA ceremony date, speculation grows over whether Chief Okunola will accept the award publicly or choose a closed-door ceremony in line with his values of modest leadership and impact without fanfare.
His ascension to LASMAYA 2025 confirms one truth: influence need not reside in offices of power. Real leadership can emerge from the private sector, from philanthropy grounded in action, and from conviction lived rather than announced.
