Femi Gbajabiamila facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Femi Gbajabiamila
CFR
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| Chief of Staff to the President | |
| Assumed office 14 June 2023 |
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| President | Bola Tinubu |
| Deputy | Ibrahim Hadejia (Office of the Vice President) |
| Preceded by | Ibrahim Gambari |
| 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria | |
| In office 11 June 2019 – 11 June 2023 |
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| Deputy | Ahmed Idris Wase |
| Preceded by | Yakubu Dogara |
| Succeeded by | Tajudeen Abbas |
| House Majority Leader | |
| In office 9 June 2015 – 9 June 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Ogor Okuweh |
| Succeeded by | Alhassan Doguwa |
| House Minority Leader | |
| In office 5 June 2007 – 6 June 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Ahmed Salik |
| Succeeded by | Ogor Okuweh |
| Member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from Lagos |
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| In office 3 June 2003 – 14 June 2023 |
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| Constituency | Surulere I |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 June 1962 Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Political party | All Progressive Congress (2013–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Alliance for Democracy (before 2006) Action Congress of Nigeria (2006–2013) |
| Spouse | Salamatu Gbajabiamila |
| Alma mater |
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Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila (born on June 25, 1962) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician. He has been the Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria since 2023. Before that, he was the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from 2019 to 2023.
Early Life and Education
Olufemi "Femi" Hakeem Gbajabiamila was born in Lagos, Nigeria. His parents were Lateef and Olufunke Gbajabiamila. He started his education at Mainland Preparatory School.
In 1973, he went to Igbobi College for his secondary education. Later, he studied at King William's College in the Isle of Man, United Kingdom. There, he completed his A-Levels.
He then attended the University of Lagos in Nigeria. In 1983, he earned a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree with honors. He became a lawyer in Nigeria in 1984.
Femi Gbajabiamila first worked at a law firm called Bentley Edu & Co. in Lagos. After that, he started his own law firm, Femi Gbaja & Co. He later moved to the United States.
In the US, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School in Georgia. He passed the Georgian bar exam in 2001. He also opened a law firm in Atlanta.
Political Career
Gbajabiamila was first elected to the House of Representatives of Nigeria in 2003. He represented the Surulere I area of Lagos State. He was re-elected and served for six terms in a row.
He spoke out against politicians who often switch political parties. He believed that voters sometimes choose candidates based on their party. He felt that changing parties too often could confuse voters.
Gbajabiamila served as the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives. This role meant he led the main opposition party in the House.
He also led a special committee in the House of Representatives. This committee looked into claims about a large debt. The investigation aimed to check if certain companies had paid back money they owed.
In 2019, Gbajabiamila was elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. He won with 283 votes. His opponent, Mohammed Umar Bago, received 78 votes.
As a member of the House, Gbajabiamila cared deeply about issues affecting his community and Nigeria. He became known as a very skilled lawmaker.
After 20 years in the House of Representatives, he left his position on June 14, 2023. He then became the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Awards and Recognition
In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari honored him. He received the Nigerian national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
