Meet 38-yr-old Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi, first female to declare for 2023 president

38-year-old Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi, has become the first female to declare her interest in contesting for the president of Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general election.

Khadijah whose father, Femi Okunnu, was a Federal Commissioner of Works & Housing in Nigeria from 1967-74, made her intention known at a press conference on Friday.

She said she was motivated to contest for the presidency because of her desire to rekindle hope and make Nigeria work for all Nigerians, especially the youths.

Speaking at the media conference held in Lagos, Khadijah added that she was vying for the presidency in her desire to make Nigeria work for its diverse populace while also harnessing the undoubted power of its teeming youths.

“I believe in the possibilities Nigeria holds; that is why I have taken this first step, not because there are no fears, but the will to bring about the Nigeria we all wish, hope and believe we can make a reality together,” she said.

While noting that 2023 was a defining moment for the country, she restated her confidence in playing a leading role in writing a new history and restoring hope for Nigeria.

Who is Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi?

Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi is a 38-year-old media personality who is from Lagos State and married to Adeshola Lamidi.

She is the daughter of former Federal Works Commissioner, Lateef Olufemi Okunnu and the only child of her parents.

Educational Background

Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi attended the University of Lagos Staff School & Childville School, Yaba, for her primary education, before proceeding to Atlantic Hall School, Maryland, for her secondary education.

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She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Bolton, RAK Campus in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and a Master’s degree in Strategic Project Management (SPM) from the prestigious Heriot-Watt University, Dubai.

She moved back to Lagos to undergo the mandatory NYSC programme, where she taught Physics and Chemistry at a Lagos State government school.

Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi’s Parents

Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi’s father is Lateef Olufemi Okunnu (SAN), a Nigerian lawyer and former pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Femi Okunnu is also the President of Isale-Eko Descendants Union and an elder statesman, with record groundbreaking infrastructural developments to his credit.

Her mother, Arinola Omololu, is a businesswoman of Ago-Owu pedigree. Khadijah hails from a long line of professionals, technocrats and intelligentsia.

Career

Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi is the founder and CEO of Slice Media Solutions, an advertising agency. She got her first job at age 16 at The Motherless Babies Home, Lekki, where she was introduced to community influencing.

She worked at the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) for four years before delving into entrepreneurship.

She is known for her gender balance and youth development advocacy and the brain behind some social impact initiatives such as Water Relief Nigeria, Help Our Youth (HOY), To Better Nigeria & Project: Bridge the Gap.