Damilola Sonayon-James, a 41-year-old technocrat, politician and Badagry princess, has emerged as APC’s deputy governorship candidate for Lagos 2027. Here is everything to know about the woman poised to make history
Damilola Sonayon-James Biography: Meet the First Badagry Indigene Poised to Become Lagos Deputy Governor
The political landscape in Lagos State has witnessed a significant shift following the unveiling of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election, with Damilola Sonayon-James emerging as the party’s deputy governorship candidate alongside Obafemi Hamzat.
Her nomination has quickly become one of the most talked-about developments in the state’s political space, not only because of her impressive blend of political and professional experience but also because of its historic implications. If elected, Sonayon-James would become the first indigene of the Badagry division to serve as deputy governor of Lagos State, marking a major milestone for a region that has long advocated greater representation in the state’s highest levels of governance.
At 41, Sonayon-James represents a new generation of political leadership in Lagos. Her story is one rooted in heritage, public service, resilience and grassroots politics.
Born into one of Badagry’s prominent royal families, she is a princess of the Kweme royal dynasty and granddaughter of the late Oba Afolabi Ogungbe James. Her family has long been associated with traditional leadership and public service in the Badagry axis, giving her deep ties to one of Lagos State’s most historically significant communities.
Her political pedigree also runs deep. She is the daughter of the late Hon. Bolarinwa Sonayon James, a former member of the House of Representatives and a respected political figure known for his grassroots influence across the Badagry division and Lagos politics in general.
Yet, despite her family background, Sonayon-James did not enjoy a seamless path to political prominence. Her rise within the APC was built through years of active participation, persistence and service. She contested for key leadership positions within local government politics and experienced setbacks that could have discouraged many aspiring politicians. Instead, she remained actively involved in party activities and community development initiatives, gradually building a reputation as a dedicated grassroots mobiliser.
Her commitment to local governance saw her serve as Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Community Development in the Badagry West Local Council Development Area, where she played active roles in community-based projects, social intervention programmes and developmental initiatives targeted at improving the lives of residents.
Over time, her influence within the APC continued to grow. She rose through the ranks from a state-level Assistant Women Leader to a more prominent position within the Lagos APC women’s structure, earning recognition for her organisational skills, loyalty to the party and ability to mobilise support across different demographics.
Beyond politics, Sonayon-James has built an accomplished professional career spanning public finance, corporate governance and sustainability. She holds a degree in Business Management from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom and a Master’s degree in Social Work with specialisation in Community Development from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
Her professional journey includes years of service with the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, where she gained valuable experience in revenue administration and public finance management. She subsequently moved into the private sector, serving as Head of Sustainability Risk and Strategy at Conrad Clark Nigeria and later working as a consultant for Bolt Nigeria.
Widely regarded as a sustainability and governance professional, Sonayon-James has contributed to conversations around Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks and sustainable development policies. Her expertise also earned her a place on a technical team that participated in the review of Lagos State’s Youth Policy in 2020, helping align the framework with global development standards and emerging realities affecting young people.
Political analysts view her emergence on the APC ticket as a strategic move designed to balance experience, youth representation, gender inclusion and regional interests. Party leaders have consistently maintained that her nomination followed extensive consultations and careful consideration of competence, loyalty, leadership capacity and grassroots acceptability.
For many observers, the choice signals a deliberate effort to give the Badagry division a stronger voice in Lagos governance while also projecting a younger and more inclusive image for the ruling party ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested election cycle.
Her candidacy also reflects the growing prominence of women in Nigerian politics at a time when calls for greater female participation in leadership continue to gain momentum across the country.
Should the APC ticket secure victory in 2027, Damilola Sonayon-James will not only make history as the first Badagry indigene to occupy the office of deputy governor, but will also become a symbol of a new political chapter defined by generational transition, regional inclusion and female leadership.
As the race for Lagos State Government House gradually gathers momentum, attention will increasingly focus on how Sonayon-James leverages her royal heritage, grassroots political experience and technocratic credentials to connect with voters across the state. For now, her emergence stands as one of the most consequential developments shaping the narrative of the 2027 Lagos governorship election.
