Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sworn in Ms. Toyin Ogunlana as a Permanent Secretary Cabinet Office
Ogunlana, who was formerly the Director-General of the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), is now expected to resume office in November.
A purpose-driven and visionary leader with over two decades of experience in the Lagos State Civil Service, this well-deserved recognition is a testament to her dedication, leadership, and outstanding contributions to public service in the state.
Ogunlana’s hard work and ability to thrive under pressure have seen her progress from one level to another.
Born on 14th October 1972, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana is a proud daughter of Lagos Island with a noble heritage deeply rooted in the illustrious Obanikoro, Onikoyi, and Agoro (Eletu-Iwashe) Chieftaincy Families. The daughter of Late Hon. Abdul Rafiu Adebayo Ogunlana and Alhaja Muinat Mosunmola Onikoyi-Ogunlana, she embodies the strength, grace, and resilience of Lagos State, the land of her origin.
Her educational path reflects a deep commitment to excellence and continuous learning. She attended the prestigious Holy Child College, Obalende,Lagos,graduating in 1987.Thereafter,she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Islamic and Religious Studies from Lagos State University, Ojo, in 1992; a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 2000; and a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources and Personnel Management from Lagos State University in 2009.
Ogunlana recently benefited from the scholarship sponsored by Lagos State Government under the leadership of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to pursue a Master’s program in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the Rome Business School. She has also attended several professional trainings in Nigeria and abroad, including Project Management, which has further sharpened her planning and execution skills.
Her career in the Lagos State Public Service began in March 2000 at the Ministry of Establishments and Training. She later served at the Lands Bureau (April 2002 – December 2006), the Ministry of Youth and Social Development (December 2006 – August 2007), the Public Service Office (August 2007 – August 2011), the Office of the Chief of Staff (August 2011 – August 2020), and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (August 2020 – September 2023). In September 2023, she was appointed as the Director-General of the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), where her visionary leadership continues to inspire transformation.
Her achievements are as impactful as they are pioneering. She served as the pioneer Chairman of the Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LCCI), an initiative of the Gov. Sanwoolu administration designed to empower young Lagosians in the entertainment industry.
She also developed the Guidelines for Retention and Disposal of Common Administrative Records in the Lagos State Public Service ; the first of its kind in Nigeria. She conceived and launched the engaging publication “Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book”, established a photographic gallery at LASRAB showcasing Lagos from the colonial era to the present, and convened the landmark Lagos History Symposium themed “Lagos: Bridging Knowledge and Unraveling History”. Notably, her recent admission and scholarship to the Rome Business School for advanced studies in Tourism and Hospitality further underscores her standing as a professional of global repute and a worthy ambassador of Lagos State.
She is a proud member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Institute of Strategic Management, Institute of Public Management, Protocol and Diplomacy International, and the Institute of Leadership and Management, London.
Today, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana stands tall as a trailblazer, archivist of memory, and custodian of Lagos heritage. Her journey,marked by vision, service, and noble ideals , reflects the true spirit of Lagos, the Centre of Excellence.
Beyond her career, Ogunlana enjoys traveling, reading biographies, and spending time with her family. A devout Muslim, she is blessed with beautiful daughters.