Reputable development expert and communications strategist, Lekan Fatodu, has been appointed the Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The new SSA has over 18 years of experience in the areas of International Development, Strategic Communications and Diplomacy garnered through his early years of engagement in global actions focusing on common good in different parts of the world, particularly his undertakings in the third sector and social entrepreneurship in the UK and Nigeria.
Prior to this appointment, Fatodu was the publisher of Checkout magazine, a business and development-focused publication; the lead consultant at Leeman Communications, a development, digital solutions and strategic communications firm; and the producer of the highly successful entrepreneurship forum, the Africa Shapers Initiative, a platform for the exchange of great ideas between established and aspiring entrepreneurs on the continent.
Notable for his predilection for pro-people causes and extensive global network, Fatodu has been facilitating greater support and initiatives from the international development space to Africa and Nigeria in particular, thereby opening up the country to invaluable skills and resources that will enable it confront its development challenges more effectively.
In 2017, Fatodu convened the First African Roundtable on Business and Sustainable Development in the British Houses of Parliament, London, a high-level engagement that played host to the then British Prime Minister’s Envoy on Trade to Nigeria, John Howell, and the Private Parliamentary Secretary on International Trade, Iain Stewart, and other influential stakeholders in international development towards engendering better outcomes from actions.
For his numerous positive and exemplary endeavours, Fatodu has received many recognitions and awards.
He was the recipient of the Most Outstanding Entrepreneur Award by Strides Media UK in 2011 and was awarded for his “outstanding achievement and exemplary public endeavours” by the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos State Chapter in 2013 amongst other honours.
Fatodu is a graduate of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, where he had his B.Sc in Mass Communication.
He also attended the University of Westminster, London for his Master’s degree in Diplomatic Studies.
He is also a PRINCE2 Certified Project Management Practitioner from the UK.
