Sanni Ganiyu Babatunde is a Nigerian politician from Lagos. They have contested 1 election (1 win) across 1 party. Most recent: 2023 State Houses of Assembly Elections as All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
Political Career
Biography
Hon. Sanni Ganiyu Babatunde Okanlawon, popularly known as OKLA, is a Nigerian chartered accountant and politician.
He currently serves as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Kosofe Constituency I under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Before his legislative career, he served in the executive arm of the Lagos State Government as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, where he played a pivotal role in the LAKE Rice initiative.
Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawon was born on March 28, 1965, in Lagos State.
He began his education at St. Agnes Primary School, Maryland, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1976.
He proceeded to Victory High School, Ikeja, for his secondary education, graduating in 1982.
He pursued higher education at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), where he earned an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Accountancy in 1990 and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy in 1998.
Committed to professional development, he obtained a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Management from the University of Calabar in 2000 and a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, in 2006.
Before his election into the legislature, Okanlawon served as the Special Adviser on Food Security to the then-Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode.
During his tenure, he was instrumental in the execution of the LAKE Rice partnership between Lagos and Kebbi States, a strategic initiative aimed at boosting local rice production and ensuring food security in Lagos.
In 2019, he contested and won the seat to represent Kosofe Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
He was re-elected for a second term in the 2023 general elections.
In the Assembly, he has served in various leadership capacities, including as the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development.
In this role, he oversees the activities of local councils and traditional institutions in the state.
Hon. Okanlawon is known for his focus on education and youth development through the OKLA Scholarship Scheme.
He has awarded scholarships to indigent students in public tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Notable beneficiaries include first-class graduates from the University of Lagos who received financial support through his foundation.
In November 2025, he was conferred with the Islamic chieftaincy title of Baba Adinni of Mende Araromi Central Mosque, Maryland, in recognition of his contributions to the religious community. His wife was simultaneously honored as the Amira-ul-Hajj.
Party Positions
Policy positions from All Progressives Congress (APC)'s manifesto.
Agriculture
Will encourage local farmers to form farm cooperatives, enabling them to pool resources for modern farming equipment, fertiliser, and access priority government agricultural assistance programs (extension services), with tax breaks and credits.
Anti-corruption
Curb reliance on imported goods via luxury taxes, higher tariffs, and processing fees while incentivizing local manufacturing with tax credits/rebates.
Economy & Trade
Reforms the Federal Budgetary Methodology to move away from oil revenue dependence and base spending on projected growth, establishing an inflationary ceiling to optimize fiscal policy without causing excessive inflation.
Education
Introduces a new management system for federally funded primary and secondary schools via Boards of Education, reserving community representation in decision-making.
Energy
Will increase Nigeria’s domestic crude oil production to **2.6 million barrels per day by 2027** and **4 million barrels per day by 2030**, while implementing a Special Enforcement and Monitoring Unit to deter theft, vandalism, and pipeline breaches using drones and aerial surveillance.
Enterprise grant support
Provides tax credits, holidays, and reduced interest rate loans for businesses that hire a specified percentage of youth in their workforce and offer on-the-job training.
Environment & Climate
Will **reduce Nigeria’s gas flaring** by removing it from the top 10 countries with highest flares, aiming to maximize sector benefits while eliminating environmental harm.
Governance & Reform
Commits to amending Nigeria’s governance architecture through constitutional review and collaboration with the National Assembly and State Governments to grant States greater autonomy over critical matters like crime prevention, prisons, stamp duties, and taxation.
Healthcare
Will strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure with incentive schemes, counterpart funding programs, and grassroots preventative care (vaccinations, cancer screening, blood pressure monitoring) in collaboration with state/local governments.
Infrastructure
Launches a National Infrastructure Campaign to modernize national infrastructure by hiring millions of unemployed Nigerians through the fiscal flexibility gained from reforming budgetary methodology.
Reliefs and scholarships
Provides **conditional income support** to very poor households, tied to human capital development goals like high-school attendance, healthcare, and nutrition.
Security & Defense
Enhances compensation, medical care, housing support, scholarships, stipends, and health insurance for military personnel injured in duty and their families.
Technology & Digital
Establishment of an advisory committee to review and reform regulatory frameworks for blockchain technology and virtual asset services.
Follow the 2027 race
When someone declares, drops out, or switches party. You'll know.
Other Candidates in Lagos
Sources
Bio, State of Origin: Wikipedia ↗