Rotimi Odunaike is a Nigerian transformation executive, former Chairman of the Labour Party in Lagos State, and the Labour Party candidate for Governor of Lagos State in the 2027 election. His career spans banking, structured finance, and more than twenty years leading large-scale transformation programmes for global organisations across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa.
About the candidate
Rotimi Odunaike
Labour Party Candidate for Governor, Lagos State
Labour Party Governorship
Candidate, Lagos 2027
Candidate, Lagos 2027
Transformational Executive · Economic Development Strategist · Institution Builder · Public Sector Reform Leader
“Rotimi Odunaike believes that governments should operate with the same standards expected of the world’s highest-performing organisations: strategically led, fiscally disciplined, transparently governed and relentlessly focused on delivering results for citizens.”
Biography
Rotimi Odunaike's career began in banking and financial services, where he specialised in structured finance, corporate lending and investment analysis. He went on to spend over twenty years leading large-scale transformation programmes for organisations including UBS, BP, Ford Motor Company, Nissan, NHS England, Fujitsu and Publicis Sapient, across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.
His commitment to public service extends beyond his executive career. He served as Chairman of the Labour Party, Lagos State, leading the party through one of its most challenging periods, demonstrating calm leadership and the ability to unite diverse stakeholders through uncertainty.
Across multiple industries, including financial services, healthcare, energy, automotive, technology and government, he has translated ambitious strategies into measurable outcomes by modernising organisations, strengthening governance and delivering complex multi-million-pound programmes across multiple continents.
2017
Co-Founder & Chief Experience Officer
Parseal Technology
A technology company with experience developing technology-enabled platforms and digital workflows connecting users and service providers. It brings the same discipline in governance and customer-centred design that has defined Rotimi's broader executive career to building and scaling a technology-driven enterprise.
Where He's From
Lagos Roots & Family Heritage
Born in Lagos on 19 August 1977, into a family whose roots in the city run back generations.
Great-Grandmother
Madam Regina Ayodele Coker
36 Princess Street, Idumagbo
Merchant, farmer and real estate proprietor
Great-Grandfather
Mr Emmanuel Adekunle Emilius
28 Kakawa Street, Lagos Island
Rose to General Manager during his career with Paterson Zochonis (PZ)
He was raised in Ikeja, on the family estate established by Madam Regina Ayodele Coker, and attended Command Children's School, Ikeja, and Command Secondary School, Ipaja. Throughout his formative years, his late parents, Mr William Olatunde Odunaike and Lt. Col. Olufunmilayo Folasade Odunaike (née Williams), played a pivotal role in instilling in him the values and virtues that have endured throughout his private, public and political life.
Leadership Philosophy“The success of any government is determined not by the promises it makes, but by the institutions it builds, the opportunities it creates and the measurable improvements it delivers in people's lives.”
Education
- MBA, International Management, UEL Business School
- BSc, Insurance, University of Lagos
- Executive Education, MIT Sloan School of Management
- Leadership for a Better Society, Yale University
Certifications & Affiliations
- Fellow, Nigerian Leadership Initiative
- PRINCE2 Practitioner
- Agile Coach
- Member, Association for Project Management (UK)
Public Service
Political Leadership & Public Service
A commitment to public service that began three decades before it became a candidacy.
His belief in politics as a tool for social inclusiveness and development took root early, and resurfaced, deliberately, at every stage since.
1993
Hope '93, a teenage volunteer
Volunteered during the Hope '93 campaign around the 12 June 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria's freest and fairest, and a defining moment in the country's democratic history.
2022
The Obidient Movement
Joined the Obidient Movement, subsequently serving as a member of the Movement's Legislative Directorate Advisory Council.
2025
Chairman, Labour Party, Lagos State
Sworn in on 9 May 2025, alongside a 23-member executive committee, leading the party through one of its most challenging periods at both the national and state levels, demonstrating calm leadership and the ability to unite diverse stakeholders through uncertainty.
His political journey, from a teenage volunteer in 1993 to state party chairman three decades later, reinforced his belief that strong institutions, accountable governance and principled leadership are fundamental to democratic progress and sustainable development.
Five Guiding Principles
01Integrity before politics
02Service before self
03Delivery before rhetoric
04Collaboration before division
05Long-term institution building over short-term political gain
Away from his professional life, Rotimi is a family-focused individual, an avid reader and a chef, and a passionate follower of football, boxing, Formula 1 and tennis. He is also a keen swimmer and runner.
Rotimi is joined on the ticket by Deputy Governor candidate Prince Lateef Adele →