The Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, has applauded four Nigerian‑born politicians Adekunle Osibogun, Princess Opeyemi Bright, Jason Utitofon Jackson, and Sunny Lambe for their landmark victories in this month’s United Kingdom local‑government polls.
A night of firsts
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Princess Opeyemi Bright became the youngest ever Mayor of the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, shattering age records in the council’s history.
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Jason Utitofon Jackson was sworn in as Islington’s first black Mayor, a breakthrough moment for representation in one of London’s most diverse boroughs.
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Sunny Lambe, a long‑serving councillor renowned for community outreach, ascended to the mayoralty of Southwark, taking the helm of a borough that spans the South Bank to Peckham.
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Adekunle Osibogun successfully defended his dual seats on the Buckinghamshire Council and Buckingham Town Council, underlining voter confidence in his stewardship.
NiDCOM’s message of praise
In a congratulatory statement released Monday by commission spokesman Gabriel Odu, Dabiri‑Erewa described the quartet’s success as “record‑breaking” and proof of “dedication, resilience and unwavering pursuit of excellence.”
She urged the new mayors and councillor to “keep the resilient spirit alive” as they embark on their terms, praying for “protection, strength and divine guidance” in service to their constituents.
Why these wins matter
| Milestone | Significance | Borough/Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Youngest mayor | Injects youth perspective into council leadership | Barking & Dagenham |
| First black mayor | Advances racial representation in civic office | Islington |
| Veteran councillor elevated to mayor | Rewards years of grassroots service | Southwark |
| Dual council re‑election | Affirms policy record on housing & local economy | Buckinghamshire / Buckingham |
These achievements highlight the growing influence of Nigeria’s diaspora in UK politics, where more than 200,000 Britons claim Nigerian heritage.
Next on the agenda
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Community cohesion: Each mayor has pledged to strengthen outreach programmes in multicultural neighbourhoods.
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Youth engagement: Bright says she will launch a borough‑wide mentoring scheme linking schools with local businesses.
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Affordable housing: Jackson lists housing security as “priority one,” promising to champion tenants’ rights.
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Town‑centre revival: Osibogun is pushing for small‑business grants and weekend markets to boost Buckingham’s local economy.
NiDCOM will continue to track their progress, Dabiri‑Erewa added, “as shining examples of what Nigerians can achieve on the global stage.”
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