Ajibola Sulaiman Larinde is gunning to become the Chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Authority in Lagos. The 31 year old is the youngest of the 432 candidates cleared by the party to contest at the forthcoming primaries.
The candidate who has robust experience as Government Relations and Stakeholder Management executive at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) shares his vision for the people Ojokoro and outlines why party delegates should vote for his candidacy in this interview
Q: Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Ajibola Sulaiman Larinde, a public servant and proud son of Ojokoro. I currently serve in the Government Relations and Stakeholder Management department of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF). At LSETF, we empower entrepreneurs, support job seekers, and help reduce unemployment across Lagos. I’ve worked closely on projects that have funded over 15,000 small businesses, trained over 100,000 youths, and supported thousands of women and vulnerable residents. Now, I’m bringing that experience home to serve my people at the grassroots.
Q: What inspired your decision to run for Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA?
Working at LSETF has shown me what’s possible when government works for the people. I’ve seen barbers become CEOs, tailors grow their shops, and unemployed youths gain tech skills and land jobs. I want to replicate this impact directly in Ojokoro. We have the talent; we just need the right leadership and support systems.
Q: How do you feel being the youngest aspirant in the state for the primary elections?
I feel truly honored and blessed to be the youngest aspirant in the entire state for the forthcoming primaries. But beyond personal pride, this moment carries a deep sense of responsibility. The eyes of the youths in Lagos State and indeed across Nigeria are on this journey. I have received countless calls, messages of support, and goodwill from young people in different walks of life. It’s clear that this is no longer just about me. This has become a movement, a voice, and a symbol of hope for millions of young Nigerians who have longed for inclusion in governance.
Right now, I represent the face of a generation that is hungry for progress, tired of waiting, and ready to lead. We’ve talked for years about youth inclusion now is the time to demonstrate it. And as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu once said, “the youth are the future of this country”. We are hopeful that the promises made about youth inclusion, especially at the grassroots level, will be fulfilled.
This candidacy is not just a campaign it’s a message: that competence has no age, and the future is no longer a distant dream. It has started, and it starts from Ojokoro.
Q: Your father was once a local government chairman, what was your experience like watching him lead and how did this shape your decision to also serve in the same capacity?
Yes, my father, Larinde Babatunde Sulaiman, was the Executive Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government between 1991 to 1993 and although I was just a toddler during his tenure, the legacy he left behind speaks volumes. Till today, decades later, people still refer to him with pride and respect, he remains one of the few from his set who is still regarded as a major stakeholder in Lagos Mainland politics. That says a lot.
I grew up hearing stories of his selfless service, the roads he built, the people he empowered, and the communities he united. Even long after he left office, market women, artisans, and elders still speak about how he was a man of the people, always accessible and always putting the interest of the masses first.
Knowing that my surname carries that legacy has shaped me in profound ways. It instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to not just carry the name, but to also carry the values. His leadership wasn’t about noise; it was about impact. And that’s the same energy I’m bringing to Ojokoro LCDA, grassroots development, people-centered governance, and a legacy that speaks for itself, years after.
Q: How will you replicate your LSETF experience in Ojokoro?
I’ll establish the Ojokoro Local Enterprise Support Unit —to fund and mentor businesses. I’ll launch Ojokoro Employability Bootcamps, modeled after LSETF’s job placement programs. I’ll also create a database of skilled youth so we can link them to job opportunities and startups. With my network at the state level, I’ll ensure Ojokoro is not left behind in any state-wide development plan.
Q: What’s your vision for women and marginalized groups?
At LSETF, women-led businesses get priority. I’ll adopt the same in Ojokoro. I plan to launch a Women Support Fund, create women-only cooperative clusters, and offer free business clinics for female entrepreneurs.
For our elderly and vulnerable, I’ll implement health subsidies, mobile clinics, and food assistance programs.
Q: How do you intend to fund all these programs?
We’ll drive internally generated revenue (IGR) smartly —not by burdening the people but by digitizing payments, attracting investors, and leveraging partnerships. Also, my access to development agencies and donor organizations, gained through LSETF, gives us an advantage. We’ll attract grants, not just taxes.
Q: What’s your message to the people of Ojokoro?
This is not just another election. It’s a chance to choose fresh ideas, proven capacity, and true grassroots love. I’m not a stranger to you—I grew up here, I work for Lagos, and I’m ready to work for Ojokoro. Together, we can create jobs, fix roads, support businesses, and build a future that works for everyone.
