Michael Otedola, father of billionaire Femi Otedola, assumed office as Governor of Lagos State in January 1992, following elections conducted under General Ibrahim Babangida’s transition to civilian rule.
But his time in office would last just 22 months.
Nigeria’s democratic experiment at the time was fragile. In 1993, after the annulment of the historic June 12 presidential election, General Babangida stepped aside, handing over power to an Interim National Government led by Ernest Shonekan.
The fragile civilian administration barely lasted three months. On November 17, 1993, General Sani Abacha seized power in a military coup, dissolved all democratic structures, and immediately removed all elected governors—including Otedola.
Olagunsoye Oyinlola was appointed to administer Lagos State under military rule, abruptly ending Otedola’s administration.
Michael Otedola passed away on May 5, 2014, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with Nigeria’s turbulent democratic journey—a reminder of how fragile governance once was in the country.
