Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, is indeed a prominent figure in Lagos state and particularly in Alimosho local government. She’s a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has held various leadership positions.
Born on September 29, 1959, in Lagos State, Princess Orelope-Adefulire hails from a royal lineage. She attended Salvation Army Primary School, Dopemu, Agege and St. Joseph’s Commercial Secondary School, before studying Sociology and Social Work at Lagos State University.
Her political journey began in 1992 when she was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Alimosho Constituency I. She was one of the first two female members of the assembly, alongside with Late Hon. Mrs. Bola Banjo. She later became the Deputy Governor of Lagos State from 2011 to 2015, under Governor Babatunde Fashola, making her the first former lawmaker in the state to become a Deputy Governor.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a position she was appointed to in 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari and reappointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 due to her sterling performance during the former’s administration.
She is the Apex Leader of the APC in Alimosho Federal Constituency and a member of Governance Advisory Council (GAC) making her a key figure in the party’s decision-making process.
Her dedication to public service and sustainable development has earned her recognition, including the Guinness World Records for the most children reading aloud with an adult at a single location.
In her capacity as the SSA to the President on SDGs, she provides strategic direction, leadership and coordination in the overall implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Nigeria. She also represents Nigeria on issues related to SDGs at the global level.
She is an accomplished public servant, administrator, social worker and grassroots politician with a passion for the advancement of the rights of women, youths and vulnerable persons. With over 30 years of public service at the national and sub-national levels, she has contributed enormously to the development landscape of Nigeria through advocacy, social work and development planning and management.
As the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, she also doubled as the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Prior to this, she was the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation between 2003 and 2011.
During this period, she co-sponsored the Child Right’s Law and the Domestic Violence Law in Lagos State (2007). She equally facilitated the establishment of 22 functional Skills Acquisition Centres for the unemployed young men and women and a 176-Bed Transit Home for the victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Orelope is one of the first two women to be elected female lawmakers in Lagos State. In 2001, she was appointed a member of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), a position she held until 2003.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire has initiated and led the implementation of a number of strategic interventions, including women and youths’ economic empowerment programmes; Mother and child Hospitals; construction and rehabilitation of Schools and Vocational Skills Centres, amongst others.
In the course of her career, she has received several awards locally and internationally, including the conferment of the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2022 as well as the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award in 2023. Alongside with Senator Olamilekan ‘Yayi’ Adeola, she became the first ex-lawmaker to be conferred with a national honour when she bagged the OFR in 2022.
She is also a recipient of the United Nations SDGs’ Champions Award for her exceptional leadership in the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria.
She was awarded the International Public Servant of the Year Award in 2007 by the Scottish Widows – a UK-based Non-Governmental Organization and bagged the Lagos State Person of the Year Award in 2009. She received the Daisey George Award 2010 in USA, as an advocate of children’s protection and development.
In 2018, she was honoured by the International Women’s Society (IWS) in recognition of her efforts at empowering and defending the rights of women, youth and children. Similarly, in recognition of her contributions towards the attainment of SDGs 8 and 10 in Nigeria, she was inducted as a Fellow of the Global Membership Platform of the Association of Business Executives (ABE) United Kingdom in May 2019. She is also a recipient of the Guinness World Records for the most children reading aloud with an adult at a single location, which she achieved while reading with 4,222 school children in 2011.
Aside from the numerous projects across Nigeria, Orelope has some notable achievements in Alimosho which include:
Skills Acquisition Center: Established in Igando Ikotun LCDA, Egbeda in Alimosho local government and Church Bus stop at Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA, to empower locals with skills.
Infrastructure Development: Constructed street lights across Alimosho Federal Constituency, enhancing safety and security.
Healthcare: Built a modern hospital at Egbeda and upgraded Igando General Hospital with a maternal and child care unit.
Transportation: Constructed vehicular bridges at Abule-Odu, Mosan Okunla LCDA, and Ikola-Ejigun (Ongoing), to ease movement and connectivity.
Recreational and Educational Facilities: Developed recreational centers and a 21st-century library, promoting socialization and learning across Lagos State and beyond.
Security: Reconstructed Afonka and Mosalasi police stations, donating police vans to enhance security operations, and built a police post at Egbeda.
Community Development: Initiated various projects, including the construction of roads and other infrastructure, to improve living standards.
As a dedicated public servant and philanthropist, Princess Adejoke Orelope has consistently demonstrated her commitment to empowering women, youth, and vulnerable populations. Her efforts have positively impacted lives, fostering growth and development in Alimoso and beyond.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire holds an Honorary Doctor of Arts (Poverty Alleviation and Technology Incubation) from the Lagos State University (LASU). She also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc) (Hons) in Sociology and Diploma in Social Work.
She is married to Chief Abiodun Akinmola Adefulire and blessed with children.
MTN Staff Commission New Set of Classrooms at Iwerekun Community High School
In a remarkable demonstration of corporate volunteerism, MTN staff, through the Y’ello Care initiative, have renovated a school block at Iwerekun Community Senior High School, Lakowe. This effort has restored hope and significantly improved learning conditions for both students and teachers.
The project, led by dedicated MTN employees, is part of the annual Y’ello Care campaign, which focuses on empowering communities through education, digital inclusion, and economic support.
Prior to the renovation, students at Iwerekun Community Senior High School faced challenges, including deteriorating classrooms that hindered effective learning. Recognising the need for intervention, MTN staff stepped in to transform the learning space, creating a safe, conducive, and inspiring environment for both students and teachers.
At the commissioning ceremony, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, acknowledged the significance of MTN’s contribution to education: “The education sector worldwide thrives on collaboration and commitment between public and private partners. MTN’s generous contribution is truly recognised, and I express my deepest gratitude for its unwavering commitment to supporting education in Lagos State. This new facility will provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning, enabling our students to reach their full potential.”
Representing the Ojomu of Lakowe, Prince Mukaila Adeola expressed the community’s gratitude: “This is a rare opportunity, and it is not every day that Lakowe benefits from such support. We truly appreciate MTN for this contribution, and we look forward to even more support in the future.”
The renovated school block is equipped with improved water supply and an inverter included in a serene environment that enhances the learning experience. This renovation will ensure that students and teachers have a more comfortable and sustainable academic setting.
Speaking on the significance of the project, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer (CCSSO) at MTN Nigeria, emphasised the personal investment of MTN staff: “I want to emphasise that this commissioning was made possible by the dedicated staff of MTN. Although MTN has a Foundation funded by 1% of the company’s annual profits, the credit for this commissioning goes to the MTN Nigeria staff members who, through their personal contributions, made this happen.”
Beyond the fresh coat of paint and structural improvements, initiatives like this create a lasting impact and a sense of hope in the lives of the students. The addition of a reliable power source and water facility means that students no longer have to struggle with poor infrastructure, allowing them to focus on their education.
For many students, access to quality education remains a challenge—not just because of financial barriers but also due to poor infrastructure, lack of resources, and limited teacher support. Programmes like Y’ello Care, alongside other education-focused volunteer initiatives, are helping to fill these gaps by creating safe, well-equipped learning environments and equipping students with knowledge beyond the classroom.
With the successful completion of the Lakowe school project, MTN reaffirms its commitment to education and youth development. The company encourages more organisations to embrace volunteerism and community service, as collective action remains a powerful force for societal progress.
