Femi Hamzat Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Education, 2027 Governorship

Femi Hamzat biography – Lagos Deputy Governor’s complete profile including age, wife Oluremi, children, educational qualifications, net worth, and his 2027 governorship ambition as APC consensus candidate.

Who is Femi Hamzat?

Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, professionally known as Femi Hamzat, currently serves as the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, a position he has held since May 29, 2019. Born into a politically influential family on September 19, 1964, this 60-year-old engineer-turned-politician has become one of Nigeria’s most recognized technocrats in governance.

His journey from agricultural engineering to the corridors of power reflects a unique blend of technical expertise and political acumen. With a doctorate from Cranfield University, England, and extensive experience in both private sector giants like Morgan Stanley and Oando Plc, Hamzat brought uncommon credentials to public service when he joined the Lagos State government in 2005.

As of 2026, Hamzat has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the Lagos State governorship race ahead of the 2027 elections. This development positions him to potentially make history as the first deputy governor to directly succeed his principal since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. His selection follows a high-level meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key party stakeholders, marking a significant milestone in his political trajectory.

Throughout his public service career spanning nearly two decades, Femi Hamzat has held critical positions including Commissioner for Science and Technology, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, and Special Adviser on Works to the Minister for Works, Power and Housing. His administrative competence and loyalty to the APC political structure have positioned him as a frontline candidate to lead Africa’s most economically vibrant state.

Personal Profile of Femi Hamzat

Category	Information
Full Name	Kadri Obafemi Hamzat
Commonly Known As	Femi Hamzat
Date of Birth	September 19, 1964
Age (2026)	61 years old
Birthplace	Lagos, Nigeria
State of Origin	Lagos State
Hometown	Iga Egbe, Lagos
Ethnicity	Yoruba
Religion	Islam
Current Position	Deputy Governor of Lagos State
Political Party	All Progressives Congress (APC)
Wife	Oluremi Hamzat
Father	Late Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat
Mother	Late Alhaja Kehinde Hamzat
Residence	Ikoyi, Lagos

Family Background and Early Years

Femi Hamzat was born into the prominent Hamzat family of Iga Egbe in Lagos State, with both political legacy and royal lineage shaping his formative years. His father, the late Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, originally worked as a banker before transitioning into politics and eventually receiving traditional royal recognition through his maternal lineage.

The elder Hamzat’s political career was illustrious, serving as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and as Commissioner for Transportation between 1979 and 1983. He later became the Vice-Chairman (South West) of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the Lagos West Senatorial District leader of the Action Congress. This rich political heritage provided young Femi with early exposure to governance, public service, and the intricacies of Nigerian politics.

His mother, Late Alhaja Kehinde Hamzat, hailed from Iga Egbe, Lagos State, bringing to the family a distinct cultural identity rooted in Lagos traditions. Raised in a Muslim household, Femi’s upbringing was characterized by Islamic values that continue to inform his personal conduct and public engagements.

Growing up in Lagos during the 1960s and 1970s, Hamzat witnessed firsthand the transformation of Nigeria’s commercial capital and the challenges facing its rapidly growing population. This early immersion in Lagos life would later prove invaluable when he took on governance responsibilities for the state.

Academic Excellence and Professional Qualifications

Early Education

Femi Hamzat’s educational journey began at Odu-Abore Memorial Primary School in Mushin, Lagos State, where he received his elementary education. He proceeded to Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo State for his secondary education, demonstrating early academic promise that would characterize his later achievements.

University Training

In 1986, Hamzat graduated from the prestigious University of Ibadan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering. His academic excellence prompted him to pursue further studies, earning a Master of Science in Crop Processing Engineering from the same institution in 1988.

Doctoral Studies

His pursuit of knowledge culminated in a remarkable achievement at Cranfield University, England, where he completed his Ph.D. in System Process Engineering in 1992. Notably, he became the first student in his department to complete doctoral studies within three years, a testament to his intellectual capacity and dedication to academic excellence.

This strong educational foundation spanning agricultural engineering, crop processing, and system engineering equipped Hamzat with analytical skills and technical knowledge that would distinguish him throughout his career.

Private Sector Career

Before entering public service, Femi Hamzat built an impressive career across multiple prestigious organizations in the private sector. His professional journey included positions at RTP Consulting Services, where he honed his consulting skills, and at Columbia University, where he engaged in academic and research activities.

His career took him to the heart of global finance when he worked at Merrill Lynch Inc. and Morgan Stanley, two of America’s leading investment banks. These experiences exposed him to international best practices in organizational management, technology deployment, and strategic planning.

Perhaps most significantly, Hamzat served at Oando Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading energy companies, where he held the positions of Group Head IT Strategist and Chief Information Officer. In these roles, he was responsible for driving technological transformation and information systems strategy across the organization, demonstrating his capacity to manage complex technical operations at scale.

This diverse private sector experience provided Hamzat with unique perspectives on efficiency, innovation, and results-oriented management that would later inform his approach to public administration.

Public Service Journey

Commissioner for Science and Technology (2005-2011)

Femi Hamzat’s entry into public service came in August 2005 when he was appointed Commissioner for Science and Technology during Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. This appointment recognized his technical expertise and potential to drive technological innovation in Lagos State.

In this role, he championed initiatives to position Lagos as a technology-driven hub, promoting innovations that enhanced government efficiency and service delivery. He retained this position when Governor Babatunde Fashola assumed office in 2007, demonstrating bipartisan confidence in his capabilities.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure (2011-2015)

In 2011, Hamzat was appointed Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Governor Fashola, taking charge of Lagos State’s ambitious infrastructure development agenda. During his tenure, he oversaw numerous civil and construction projects that transformed the state’s physical landscape.

His most notable achievement was the completion of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Nigeria’s first cable-stayed bridge. This iconic infrastructure connected two major economic zones of Lagos, significantly reducing travel time and enhancing economic productivity. The bridge has become a symbol of modern Lagos and stands as a testament to Hamzat’s project delivery capabilities.

Special Adviser on Works (2015-2018)

When Babatunde Fashola became the Federal Minister for Works, Power and Housing in 2015, he appointed Hamzat as his Special Adviser on Works. This federal appointment expanded Hamzat’s portfolio beyond Lagos to include national infrastructure planning and execution.

He served in this capacity until September 2018, when he resigned to contest in the Lagos State gubernatorial elections, signaling his transition from technocratic roles to frontline politics.

Deputy Governorship and Political Ascendancy

2019 Election Campaign

In 2018, Femi Hamzat initially entered the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial primary race as a candidate but later stepped down for Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the contentious primaries. This strategic decision demonstrated political maturity and party loyalty.

Following the primaries, Sanwo-Olu selected Hamzat as his running mate, creating a formidable ticket that combined Hamzat’s technocratic credentials with Sanwo-Olu’s political experience. The partnership resonated with Lagos voters, leading to their resounding victory in the March 2019 elections.

On March 10, 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Hamzat as Deputy Governor-Elect of Lagos State and presented him with a Certificate of Return. He was sworn in on May 29, 2019, commencing his tenure as the state’s number two citizen.

Second Term Victory (2023)

Hamzat’s performance in his first term earned him renomination as Sanwo-Olu’s running mate for the 2023 elections. The duo successfully secured re-election, and Hamzat was sworn in for a second term, continuing his contributions to Lagos State governance.

2027 Governorship Consensus

In March 2026, following a crucial meeting between President Bola Tinubu and APC stakeholders from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, Femi Hamzat emerged as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship race.

The high-level meeting, which included Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Governors Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, and Biodun Oyebanji, among others, settled on Hamzat despite a wide field of accomplished aspirants including former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, and Senator Tokunbo Abiru.

This consensus arrangement, if it holds, would make Hamzat the first deputy governor to directly succeed his principal as governor since 1999, marking a historic precedent in Nigeria’s democratic governance.

Marriage and Family Life

Femi Hamzat is married to Oluremi Hamzat, a woman he has publicly celebrated on numerous occasions. Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat maintains a relatively private profile but actively participates in social causes, particularly those related to health and women’s welfare.

She has been involved in initiatives such as the Lagos State TB Steering Committee, working alongside the state’s First Lady, Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, to combat tuberculosis and other health challenges affecting Lagosians.

The couple is blessed with children, though specific details about their offspring remain private, consistent with Hamzat’s general approach to protecting his family from excessive public scrutiny. This discretion reflects his belief in maintaining boundaries between his public responsibilities and family life.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Femi Hamzat has received several notable recognitions. In September 2013, he emerged as the winner of the fifth edition of the Lagos State Man of the Year Awards, an honor that acknowledged his outstanding contributions to the state’s development as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.

His 60th birthday in September 2024 saw tributes from across political and social divides, with Governor Sanwo-Olu describing him as “a passionate leader” and “a gift to Lagos State.” The celebration included a special prayer session at the Lagos State Secretariat Central Mosque, attended by senior government officials and former deputy governors.

Net Worth and Financial Standing

While Femi Hamzat’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed, his career trajectory suggests substantial financial success. His decades-long career in international finance with Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, combined with senior positions at Oando Plc, likely provided significant financial rewards.

As Deputy Governor of Lagos State, he receives official remuneration and benefits befitting his position, including official residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. However, like most senior Nigerian public officials, he maintains discretion regarding specific financial details.

His educational investments, including international doctoral studies, and his ability to maintain a family residence in Ikoyi, one of Lagos’s most expensive neighborhoods, suggest comfortable financial standing built through legitimate professional achievements.

Common Questions About Femi Hamzat

How old is Femi Hamzat?

Femi Hamzat is 61 years old, having been born on September 19, 1964, making him a Virgo by zodiac sign.

Who is Femi Hamzat’s wife?

He is married to Oluremi Hamzat, who actively participates in social and health-related initiatives in Lagos State.

What are Femi Hamzat’s educational qualifications?

He holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering (1986) and M.Sc. in Crop Processing Engineering (1988) from University of Ibadan, plus a Ph.D. in System Process Engineering from Cranfield University, England (1992).

Is Femi Hamzat running for Lagos Governor in 2027?

Yes, he has emerged as the APC consensus candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election following a high-level party meeting with President Tinubu in March 2026.

What was Femi Hamzat’s role before becoming Deputy Governor?

He served as Commissioner for Science and Technology (2005-2011), Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure (2011-2015), and Special Adviser on Works to the Federal Minister (2015-2018).