Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (Dr,)

About Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (Dr,)

Biography of Femi Hamzat

Dr. Kadri Obafemi “Femi” Hamzat is a Nigerian engineer, technocrat, and politician who has served as the Deputy Governor of Lagos State since May 29, 2019, alongside Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress and is widely regarded as one of the most technically grounded public officials in Lagos governance.

Early Life and Background

Femi Hamzat was born on September 19, 1964, in Lagos, Nigeria, into a prominent political and royal family. His father, Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, was a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Commissioner for Transportation during Nigeria’s Second Republic.

Growing up in Lagos, Hamzat developed an early exposure to governance and public service, which later shaped his career path.

Education

Hamzat’s academic journey reflects strong technical and engineering expertise:

1. Primary education: Odu-Abore Memorial Primary School, Mushin
2. Secondary education: Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo State
3. B.Sc. Agricultural Engineering (1986) – University of Ibadan
4. M.Sc. Agricultural Engineering (1988) – University of Ibadan
5. Ph.D. System Process Engineering (1992) – Cranfield University

He is known for being academically distinguished, completing his doctorate at Cranfield within a notably short time.

Professional Career

Before entering politics, Hamzat built a strong career across academia, finance, and information technology. He worked with global institutions such as:

1. RTP Consulting Services
2. Columbia University
3. Merrill Lynch
4. Morgan Stanley
5. Oando Plc (where he served as Chief Information Officer and IT strategist)

This private-sector experience contributed to his reputation as a data-driven technocrat.

Political Career

Hamzat joined public service in 2005, when he was appointed Commissioner for Science and Technology in Lagos State under Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He continued in similar roles under Babatunde Fashola.

During his tenure, he played a key role in introducing digital systems in government operations, improving data management, and reducing inefficiencies such as payroll fraud.

He later served as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure and subsequently as a Special Adviser at the federal level before returning to Lagos politics.

Deputy Governorship

In 2018, Hamzat contested the Lagos State governorship primaries but stepped down and became the running mate to Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He was elected Deputy Governor in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, playing a central role in:

1. Infrastructure development
2. Technology-driven governance
3. Public sector reforms
4. Urban planning and transportation initiatives

As Deputy Governor, he serves as the second-highest executive official in Lagos State, assisting the governor and acting in his absence when necessary.

Leadership Style and Contributions

Femi Hamzat is widely recognized for:

Promoting innovation and digital transformation in governance

Supporting infrastructure expansion in Africa’s largest city economy

Advocating for efficient public service delivery

His technocratic background has made him a key figure in Lagos State’s modernization efforts.

Personal Life

Hamzat is married to Oluremi Hamzat, and they have children. He is of Yoruba heritage and practices Islam.

Summary

Dr. Femi Hamzat stands out as a blend of academic excellence, private-sector experience, and political leadership. From engineering and global finance to public administration, his career reflects a consistent focus on innovation and governance reform. As Deputy Governor of Lagos State, he continues to influence policy direction and development in one of Africa’s most important cities.