Femi Gbajabiamila facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Femi Gbajabiamila
CFR
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Chief of Staff to the President | |
| Assumed office 14 June 2023 |
|
| President | Bola Tinubu |
| Preceded by | Ibrahim Gambari |
| 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria | |
| In office 11 June 2019 – 11 June 2023 |
|
| Deputy | Ahmed Idris Wase |
| Preceded by | Yakubu Dogara |
| Succeeded by | Tajudeen Abbas |
| House Majority Leader | |
| In office 9 June 2015 – 9 June 2019 |
|
| Preceded by | Ogor Okuweh |
| Succeeded by | Alhassan Doguwa |
| House Minority Leader | |
| In office 5 June 2007 – 6 June 2015 |
|
| Preceded by | Ahmed Salik |
| Succeeded by | Ogor Okuweh |
| Member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from Lagos |
|
| In office 3 June 2003 – 14 June 2023 |
|
| Constituency | Surulere I |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 June 1962 Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Political party | All Progressive Congress (2013–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
|
| Spouse | Salamatu Gbajabiamila |
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupation |
|
Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila CFR (born 25 June 1962), is a Nigerian lawyer and politician, who has served as Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria since 2023. He previously served as the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from 2019 to 2023.
Early life and education
Olufemi "Femi" Hakeem Gbajabiamila was born on 25 June 1962 to the family of Mr and Mrs Lateef Gbajabiamila and Olufunke Gbajabiamila in Lagos, Nigeria. He attended Mainland Preparatory School for elementary education and Igbobi College in 1973, where he completed his secondary education. Subsequently, he enrolled at King William's College on the Isle of Man, United Kingdom for his A-Level. He was accepted into the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He graduated with a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) with honors in 1983 and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1984.
He first worked for the law firm, Bentley Edu & Co., in Lagos, before establishing his own law firm, Femi Gbaja & Co. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School in Georgia, USA, passed the Georgian bar exam in 2001, and set up a law firm in Atlanta. While in the USA, he actively participated in the election of Bill Campbell who later went on to become Mayor of Atlanta.
Political career
Gbajabiamila was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2003 representing the Surulere I constituency of Lagos State. He was re-elected and served for six (6) consecutive terms.
Gbajabiamila criticized members of the National Assembly for switching parties. He suggested that many voters don't have access to the information to make choices based on every individual's stance, and therefore sometimes vote for candidates based on their party alignment. He criticized floppers with this in mind, saying the effect "cannot be anything but negative".
Gbajabiamila was the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives in the 7th National Assembly.
Gbajabiamila was head of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating claims by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) about the 140.9 billion naira (about $1 billion) debt owed by 'Zenon Petroleum & Gas Limited' and 'Forte Oil Plc'.
Gbajabiamila was elected speaker in the 9th National Assembly House of Representatives with 283 votes, while his opponent Mohammed Umar Bago came in second with 78 votes.
In the House, Gbajabiamila demonstrated a passionate concern for issues relevant his constituents and Nigeria as a whole. He earned a reputation as a brilliant legislator.
After 20 years, he resigned as a member of the House of Representatives on 14 June 2023 to assume office as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Awards
In October 2022, the Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
