Mobolaji Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson
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| Military Governor of Lagos State | |
| In office 28 May 1967 – July 1975 |
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| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Adekunle Lawal |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 February 1936 Lagos, British Nigeria |
| Died | 30 October 2019 (aged 83) |
| Alma mater | Reagan Memorial Baptist School Methodist Boys' High School Lagos Mons Officer Cadet School R.M.A Sandhurst |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1959–1975 |
| Rank |  Brigadier |
Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson (born February 9, 1936 – died October 30, 2019) was a brave Nigerian Army officer. He became the first-ever Governor of Lagos State. He served in this important role from May 1967 to July 1975. Before that, he was the Military Administrator of Lagos from January 1966 to May 1967.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mobolaji Johnson was born in Lagos, Nigeria. His parents were Joshua Motola Johnson and Gbemisola Johnson. His father was a soldier in the Royal West African Frontier Force. This was during the World War.
Mobolaji started school at Reagan Memorial Baptist School in Yaba in 1941. He then went to Methodist School. Later, he attended Hussey College Warri in 1954. In 1955, he moved to Methodist Boys High School Lagos. This was the same school his father had attended. He finished his secondary education there in 1957. Mobolaji was a great athlete during his school days.
He continued his training to become a military officer. In 1959, he attended the Officer Cadet Training School in Ghana. He also studied at the Mons Officer Cadet School in England. Then, he went to the famous Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. This was between 1960 and 1961.
His Military Journey
Mobolaji Johnson began his military career in 1958. He trained at the Zaria Military Depot. He was part of the United Nations Peace Keeping Troops in Congo.
He quickly rose through the ranks. In 1961, he became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1962. By October 1962, he was a Captain. He held important positions like Deputy Commander of the Federal Guards. He also served as Commander of the Federal Guards in 1964.
In February 1966, he became a Major. He was Second in Command of the 4th Battalion in Ibadan. He also served as Station Commander in Benin City.
Leading Lagos State
In 1966, after a military change in government, Mobolaji Johnson became the Military Administrator of Lagos. This was a very important job. In May 1967, Lagos State was officially created. Mobolaji Johnson then became its very first Governor.
His time as Governor was focused on building up Lagos. He worked with key government officials. These included Adeymi-Bero and F.C.O Coker. They helped him manage the new state. He appointed his team of commissioners in April 1968.
Building a Modern Lagos
Governor Johnson's leadership brought many big projects to Lagos. He helped build important roads and bridges. These projects changed Lagos into the modern city it is today.
Some of his major achievements include:
- The 60.7-kilometer international express road. This road connects Lagos to neighboring countries like Benin, Ghana, and Togo. It is known as the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.
- The Toikin Bridge, which links Epe to Ikorodu.
- The Eko Bridge.
- Parts of the Third Mainland Bridge.
- A large network of roads and bridges across Lagos.
- Reclaiming land along the Bar Beach shoreline.
These projects were very important for the growth and development of Lagos.
Life After Service
In 1975, a new military government took over. An investigation looked into claims of corruption among state governors. Mobolaji Johnson was one of only two governors found not guilty. This showed his honesty and good character.
General Johnson retired from the Nigerian Army in 1975. After his military career, he went into private business. He had four children: three sons and one daughter.
Contributions in Later Years
Mobolaji Johnson continued to serve his community. He became the Chairman of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation. This group works to protect nature in Nigeria.
He also joined the construction company Julius Berger Nigeria. He became a Director in 1979. Later, he became its chairman in 1996. He held this position until 2009.
He was also the Chairman of the Executive Council for the Lagos State University Development Foundation. He helped his old school, Methodist Boys' High School, Lagos. He was the Chairman of their Board of Trustees.
Mobolaji Johnson passed away on October 30, 2019, at the age of 83. His son, Deji Johnson, announced his death.
His Lasting Legacy
Mobolaji Johnson left a lasting mark on Lagos. A road, an avenue, and a sports complex in Lagos are named after him. There is also a Housing Scheme at Lekki that bears his name. A railway station in Ebute Metta, Lagos, was also named in his honor. These names remind everyone of his important contributions to the state.
See also
- Timeline of Lagos, 1960s–1970s
