In a significant appointment, President Bola Tinubu has chosen Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the former Lagos State Head of Service, to serve as his Principal Private Secretary. This move was anticipated, as TheCable had previously reported in July that Muri-Okunola was the top contender for this prestigious role.
The official announcement of this appointment came on Sunday evening through the presidency’s post on the X platform. The post simply read, “Hakeem Muri Okunola appointed Principal Secretary to President Tinubu.”
Hakeem Muri-Okunola is a distinguished administrator with a remarkable track record. He previously served as the Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu during Tinubu’s tenure as the Governor of Lagos State. Later, he assumed the role of Executive Secretary of the Land Use and Allocation Committee under Tinubu’s leadership.
Over his 25-year career in law and public service, Muri-Okunola has accumulated a wealth of experience. His tenure as the Head of Civil Service in Lagos State since December 2018 has been marked by his dedication and competence.
Muri-Okunola’s journey in public service began when he joined the civil service, and within a decade, he had risen to the position of Permanent Secretary. In 2011, he was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Lands Bureau within the Governor’s Office.
Notably, Muri-Okunola is the first son of the late Justice Muritala Okunola, adding to his impressive lineage of service and dedication.
The specific responsibilities of his role as Principal Private Secretary (PPS) are yet to be detailed, especially considering that President Tinubu already has a Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. It is possible that Gbajabiamila may focus more on the political aspects of the President’s engagements, while Muri-Okunola assumes a central role in managing administrative matters.
This appointment marks a significant development in the inner workings of President Tinubu’s team and is met with anticipation and interest in how these roles will complement each other in his administration.
