A product of Queen’s School, Ibadan, Hon. Lola Akande holds a Bachelor of Science [B.Sc. Hons] degree in Botany from the University of Ife [now Obafemi Awolowo University]; a Master’s degree in Public Administration [M.PA] with a bias for Public Policy from the University of Lagos, Akoka, and also a Post Graduate Diploma in Education [PDGE] from the same citadel.
Her foray into politics was before her appointment as Hon. Commissioner, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. She was the Deputy Majority Leader of the 7th Lagos State House of Assembly between 2011 and 2015 and was the Deputy Chief Whip of the same House between 2007 and 2011 when she represented Ikeja Constituency II.
Prior to these positions, she was actively involved in different political activities and held both elective and appointed portfolios at different periods. She was Chairmanship aspirant for Ikeja Local Government on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party [SDP]; Secretary, Justice Forum, Ikeja Local Government: ex-officio member in the then UNCP, Ikeja Local Government. She also served as Board member, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). She was also one time treasurer of CDA in Ikeja Local Government.
Hon. Lola Akande started her working career in 1983 when she observed the mandatory National Youth Service with Cadbury Nigeria Limited, Ikeja, in the Technical Services Department after which she joined the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission in 1985, and taught till 1991. Thereafter, she set up her own Company. Fibsol Enterprises and served as Chairman. Before this time, she worked briefly at NEPA [PHCN] Dugbe in 1976, and at Guinness Nigeria Limited in 1980 serving as holiday vocational in both positions.
In the course of her political sojourn, she attended many courses, training and workshops and these include: Y2014 NCSL Summit organized by the National Council of State Legislative in USA, August 2014; a 5-day retreat on, ‘Transformational Leadership and Organizational Change’ organized by Cambridge University/JBseel. She also participated at E.C.I. Georgia Convention, USA in March 2013.
A multiple award winner, she has to her credit numerous Certificates, Awards and Honours which include: Certificate of Commendation on Resourcefulness as a Teacher [1988/89]; Ikeja City Award as the Outstanding Visionary Leader [2011]; Leadership and Followership Development Centre Gold Award; Great Women Award as the Outstanding Honourable Member [2013], and INRI Widows Foundation Award – in recognition of services rendered in the area of the political development of womenfolk.
She was awarded Melvin Jones Fellow for dedicated Humanitarian Services of the Lions Club International Foundation and conferred with Fellow of the African Institute for Leadership and good Governance for Leadership Excellence. Also, she was given a Merit Award by Nigeria Union Of Teachers for her quality representation of Ikeja Constituency, ICPM International Outstanding Leadership Award for outstanding Leadership qualities, Award of Excellence for Distinguished passion for Youth Development, Top Celebrities Female Achiever Award 2014 as the Legislator of the Year, Classic Award as the most outstanding politician of the Year 2013, Out-of-School Children Empowerment Foundation for immense contribution to Poverty Alleviation in Women and Child’s Right Protection in Lagos State, Merit Award for her contribution to the Youth Soccer development in Lagos State by Senator Oluremi Tinubu OON among others.
Hon. Akande, a great philanthropist and staunch believer in community and people oriented developmental projects, also contributed immensely to the growth and development of her constituency through programmes such as: Annual town Hall Empowerment Programmes; Annual Public Speaking & Mathematics Motivational Test Competitions for Public Primary, Junior and Secondary Schools; Donation of GCE Forms to students; Donations to Orphanages and Old People’s Home; organization of Hon. Lola Akande Soccer Challenge and special Financial Assistance to the less privileged, individuals religious organizations and communities; as well as the construction of a state of the art Library when she was President, Ikeja Peridot Lions Club.
She served as the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation during the tenure of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as the then Governor of the State between 2015-2019 where she contributed immensely to Women and Child Protection as well as in Poverty Alleviation until her recent appointment as the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives in August 2019 by His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State.
She has since been positively impacting the activities of the Ministry with her cognate experience acquired over the years. She is indeed a woman of substance.
Akande is married with Children.
