Otedola hosts dinner for Lagos deputy governor Hamzat, inviting Dangote and Rabiu

Dinner hosted by Otedola On the evening of 18 October 2026, billionaire Femi Otedola organised a private dinner in honour of Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat. The gathering took place at Otedola’s residence and was billed as a celebration of Hamzat’s upcoming role as the state’s governor.

Decades‑old friendship Otedola revealed on his X account that he and Hamzat were bunkmates at a boarding school nearly 49 years ago. He described Hamzat as a man of high integrity, noting that his long‑standing perception of the deputy governor has been shaped by honesty, sincerity, fairness and strong moral principles.

High‑profile guests The dinner was attended by some of Nigeria’s most prominent business figures. Aliko Dangote, the country’s richest man, and Abdul Samad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group, were present. Their attendance signalled a notable show of support from the corporate elite for Hamzat’s 2027 governorship bid.

Hamzat’s political trajectory Hamzat has served as Lagos State deputy governor since 2019 under Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu. In May 2026, he won the All Progressives Congress primary for the 2027 Lagos State governorship election, securing 657,917 votes against Olanrewaju Jim‑Kamal, who received a single vote. The APC has positioned Hamzat as the consensus candidate for the upcoming election.

Significance of the event The dinner, organised by a leading philanthropist and businessman, highlighted the intersection of business and politics in Lagos. By inviting Dangote and Rabiu, Otedola underscored the support of Nigeria’s corporate elite for Hamzat’s candidacy. The event also served as a reminder of the deep personal ties that often underpin political alliances in the country.