Remarks made at the 5th anniversary of the passing of the first civilian governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, February 11, 2026.
Human beings aren’t completely helpless about the choices that they make, indeed about the kind of life that they chose. In a world where self interest is dominant, living an ethical life may be challenging. In his widely read publication, Peter Singer, in his book HOW ARE WE TO LIVE talked about those whose major concern in embarking on a line of action is WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME rather what is in it for the public.
An analysis of Jakande’s actions as the first civilian governor of Lagos state reveals that his major actions aren’t self-interest driven but motivated by a consuming concern for the enhancement of public goods and thus the extension of the spheres of citizenship. This was Jakande’s personal choice. Many have been inspired by his philosophy of life. It was as if Jakande had well digested Williams Shakespeare when he said that what touches us ourselves shall last be served.
Immediately after the military coup that overthrew the then civilian administration in Nigeria, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, along with the other leading political figures was detained. In March 1984,
Mr. Michael A. Awolesi had been asked to represent the then military administrator of Lagos state, Gbolahan Mudashiru, at the graduation ceremony of the Lagos state College of Education, Oto-Ijanikin. Mr. M. A. Awolesi was the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education. At the occasion, without intending any harm spoke the truth to power and referred to Jakande, the ousted governor of the state as a superstar.
Not long after the event, Awolesi was moved out and not a few lost their jobs.
The military government was embarrassed by the encomiums showered on Jakande, the first civilian governor of Lagos state. With the admission by a representative of the military government that Jakande was an accomplished and an exceptional politician, it became Herculean to justify the overthrow of the civilian by the military.
Nigerians will probably recall that under the then prevailing environment, speaking that is interpreted as embarrassing to the military junta is punishable.
One may ask the question, truly, was Jakande a superstar, an exceptionally accomplished public servant?
Unambiguously, the answer is Yes. Let me adduce some reasons. The mass provision of social services in the sphere of education, roads, health and public employment was unknown to Lagos state. And the beneficiaries were not the narrow circle of political cronies, lackies, close family members or hangers-on but the masses of our people. The criteria for inclusion wasn’t political connections but on the first come first served basis. Second, the cost was affordable. Though, some described the buildings as substandard and rickety but many of these stand erect today after over forty years. It remains doubtful if any governor of the era was as accessible as Jakande was to the masses of our people. Jakande listened to the ordinary folks as their governor and even after he had left office as the governor, this culture of service remained part of him till death.
Indeed, LKJ demystified governance and took it to the grassroots in the service of the people. This is the third point.
On this, some of his adversaries refer to him as too local and pedestrian. But the poor that he served so well labelled him as the Action Governor, as if that alone was not enough, also named several landmark projects after him.
Fourth, Jakande shunned flamboyance and the wasteful paraphernalia which many Nigerian leaders artificially surround themselves with. For Jakande, the most critical success factors in governance are the ethical resources, inclusivity and the achievements of the core mandate, the fulfilment of the contractual terms entered into with the people – the social contract.
Jakande visited the contract sites at odd hours and without pomp and pageantry. He spent public money the way he would his own. He drastically cut down on the cost of governance. He served the people with so much passion and at great inconveniences to himself. He used his own old Toyota Crown for official purposes during the governorship years. He didn’t have the time to search for the latest cars in town. He didn’t travel out throughout his years as the governor. Who can truly match these records? He settled for far higher values in governance.
No wonder that today, Jakande remains evergreen in our memories though he served only one-term in office.
Of course, he was never a perfect man. He has his weaknesses as a human being but, an overall assessment will place him well above his peers and above the average score in a country with many psychologically wrecked minds where materialism is all that defines the essence of human beings.
The Holy Bible (Mathew, 23:11) said that the greatest among you shall be their servants. For the living, there are lessons to draw from the life of the man who built ‘cowsheds’ (apologies to Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie).
On this 5th. occasion of the fifth anniversary of the transition to eternity of Pa LKJ, I congratulate the wife Alhaja Sikirat Abimbola and the children.
Olurode is a retired Professor of Sociology, University of Lagos.
