Olumide Kola-Lawal
Olumide Kola-Lawal is a seasoned public policy and development expert, with a professional background spanning over 15 years in multilateral organizations, government, private sector, NGOs, and think tanks.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in English Education from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, a Master’s degree in International Policy and Practice (MIPP) from the George Washington University, USA, and a Public Management certificate from Virginia Commonwealth University, USA. Prior to pursuing his studies in the United States, Olumide worked as a youth development advocate at Youth 1960, and later as a Legislative Aide in Nigeria’s 7th National Assembly, where he later transitioned to partisan politics to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly in the 2015 general elections to represent surulere 1 Constituency.
He was also the pioneer Lagos State Coordinator for the Not Too Young To Run advocacy campaign, that culminated in The Age Reduction Bill that was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
My Vision
True leadership is the art of serving others, cultivating trust, honoring dignity, and igniting hope so that every person can flourish and contribute to the common good.
PRIORITIES THAT SHAPE MY WORK
15+ YEARS AS A DEVELOPMENT EXPERT
Through his flagship program, the Nurturing Nigeria’s Future Initiative, Olumide has led impactful convenings across the United States, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, strategically mobilizing diaspora resources to channel impact investments into Nigeria’s economy.
OKL IN THE PRESS
