Badagry West | Special Report
In a political landscape often dominated by seasoned figures and entrenched loyalties, a new contender is making waves in Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Hon. Princess Damilola Sonayon James, a Supervisory Councillor and community advocate, has formally declared her ambition to lead the council, positioning herself as a candidate offering both modern solutions and deep cultural roots.
James, comes from one of the region’s most prominent royal families, the Kweme Kingdom, and granddaughter to the late Oba Afolabi Ogungbe James a family rooted in service and community empowerment. But beyond lineage, it is her blend of community building and local engagement that is setting her apart in a crowded field.
Fiercely committed to her people, Damilola James is not offering empty rhetoric. She is delivering a clear, practical, and empowering agenda, one built on her deep professional experience in governance, community development, and capacity building. With years of leadership in sustainability, strategy, and grassroots empowerment, she represents the leadership that Badagry West desperately needs at this critical juncture.
Educated at the Administrative Staff College in Badagry and Lagos State Model College Kankon, Badagry, Damilola’s academic pursuits led her to the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, where she earned a degree in Business Management and Human Resources, and later at Ladoke Akintola University with an MSc in Social Work (Community Development), in the last four years, James has been in Badagry with a focus sharpened by capacity building.
Her professional career, including leadership roles in sustainability and governance consultancy, has informed a policy approach emphasizing youth empowerment, women’s inclusion, and sustainable development.
Her campaign slogan, “New Vision, New Plan, New Direction,” reflects a shift many young and first-time voters say they have long awaited.
James’ tenure as Supervisory Councillor has been marked by practical initiatives, notably the “Light Up Project,” which saw the installation of solar lighting in rural communities. Residents in areas like Gbanko and Kankon credit the project with improving nighttime security and boosting small businesses operating after dark.
Speaking at a recent community forum, James outlined her priorities: establishment of vocational and entrepreneurship hubs for young people, financial empowerment programs for women, and a commitment to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into local governance.
“Development must be inclusive, innovative, and sustainable.”, James said.
Political observers note that James’ campaign is building unusual momentum among demographics often marginalized in local elections: youth, women, and first-time voters. Her style- measured, participatory, and heavily community-driven, stands in contrast to the top-down leadership models historically dominant in Badagry West.
However, challenges remain. Some traditional political players in Badagry west are citing “other wards have previously produced council chairmen, Ward C has not had the opportunity”, hence they are rooting for a candidate in Ward C.
Yet among residents, especially the youth, optimism runs high for James.
“We need fresh ideas and courage to confront the problems here,” said 26-year-old trader in Badagry West. “She listens to us, and that alone is a change.”
If elected, James would not only represent a generational shift in Badagry West but could signal a broader change in Lagos State politics, where young, qualified leaders are increasingly asserting themselves at the local level.
For now, as election season heats up, all eyes are on Badagry West, and on whether Damilola Sonayon James’ combination of tradition and innovation can carry her to victory.
