LIFE: Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, The First Lady Of Lagos State Who Is A Medical Doctor

Meet Dr Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the medical practitioner who occupies the office of the first lady of Lagos State.

Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu was born on January 8, 1967, into the family of Paulinus Olusegun Carrena of Popo-Aguda, Lagos state, Nigeria.

She obtained her MBBS from the University of Lagos (Unilag) Akoka, Yaba campus and proceeded to obtain a post-graduate diploma in Hospital and Health Management (PGDHM) and another Diploma in Anesthesia (DA).

Ibijoke also obtained a master's degree in Public Health (MPH), and Business Administration (MBA) making her a force to reckon with in the medical profession in Nigeria and abroad.

For 25 years, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu worked with the Lagos State Government, where she rose through various ranks in the medical profession to become the Chief Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of Harvey Road Comprehensive Health Centre, Yaba after which she was transferred to the General Hospital at Somolu.

She actively participated in a Free Health Mission and Lagos State Healthy Bee Project which were some of her husband, Babajide Sanwo-Olu's campaign programs to the grassroots and riverine communities in Lagos state. 

Following the election of her husband as the Executive Governor of Lagos State on  May 29, 2019, Dr Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu became the first Medical Practitioner to become the First Lady of Lagos State. She has supported her husband mostly from behind the scene on various programs she has embarked upon and still embarking upon.
As a lover of women and children, she is currently chairing the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) whose objectives include promoting child healthcare and women empowerment among others.

The First Lady was also actively involved in several free surgery missions such as Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Eye Surgery, Dental Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Adult Eye Surgery that were carried out in General Hospitals across the state.

She is an advocate of the Blue Box Program, designed to encourage waste sorting, which is being implemented by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

READ ALSO LIFE: Samia Suluhu Hassan, The First Female President Of Tanzania

Ibijoke is also a sporty person and a fitness enthusiast who participated in the 2019 edition of the Annual Lagos Women Run where she broke the record as the first "First Lady" to finish an athletic road race.

She is the host of the Lagos State Annual Children’s Party and Christmas Party.

On her last birthday celebration on January 8, 2021, where she clocked 53, she was celebrated by many including her husband who described her as his prayer partner and confidant,  his number one supporter and happy place, and importantly his peace. 

Regardless of her role as the first lady, Dr Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu remains an active member of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).