14-year-old girl emerges Lagos One-Day Governor
By Adeola Ogunrinde –
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday briefly stepped aside to allow a 14-year-old student, Esther Etiyemonu, to serve as Lagos One-Day Governor.
Esther is an SS2 pupil of Lagos State Senior Model College, Igbookuta, Imota, in Ikorodu Division. She earned the role after emerging as the overall winner of the 2025/2026 Lagos State Spelling Bee Competition for public secondary schools.
The 14-year-old, who was accompanied by her One-Day Deputy Governor, Miss Dorcas Awoyemi of Ikosi Senior High School, and One-Day Secretary to the State Government, Miss Salami Jumain Olaide of Angus Memorial Senior High School, Yaba, was received at the State House, Marina, by Governor Sanwo-Olu.
During her brief time in office, Esther presided over a short State Executive Council meeting. Describing the experience as remarkable, she lauded the One-Day Governor programme as a strong educational legacy that continues to promote excellence in public schools.
She further acknowledged Governor Sanwo-Olu for what she described as transformative leadership across key sectors in the state.
Speaking on education, she highlighted some of the improvements recorded so far, including teacher recruitment, the establishment of technical colleges, digital skills training, renovation of libraries, upgrades of tertiary institutions, and staff housing development. She noted that these reforms have improved learning conditions for students.
The One-Day Governor also commended developments in transportation and security, citing road reconstruction projects and the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red and Blue Lines as major achievements that have enhanced mobility and safety.
In his response, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that Esther’s emergence as One-Day Governor reflects the positive impact of his administration’s investment in education, especially in model colleges. He reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the Spelling Bee initiative and supporting academic excellence in Lagos schools.
