Lagos Assembly Swears in Oshinowo as First Female Clerk

By Opeyemi Adelakun

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday made history as it swore in Barr. Adenike Abolanle Oshinowo as its new Clerk, following the retirement of Barr. Olalekan Onafeko.

Oshinowo’s appointment, approved on April 28, 2026, makes her the first woman ever to occupy the position of Clerk in the history of the Lagos Assembly, marking a significant milestone in the state’s legislative administration.

A seasoned legal practitioner and legislative expert, she brings extensive experience in parliamentary drafting, governance support, and public sector legal advisory services.

She holds an LL.M in Legislative Drafting from the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and an LL.B from Lagos State University. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995 before beginning her career in private practice.

She later joined the Lagos State Civil Service in 1997 as a Legal Draftsman, where she built a long career in legislative and administrative work.

Oshinowo previously served in the Lagos State House of Assembly between 1999 and 2006, before moving to the Ministry of Justice. She returned to the Assembly in 2008 and steadily rose through the ranks to become Deputy Clerk in 2021 before her elevation in 2026.

Her appointment reflects decades of continuity in legislative service and is expected to strengthen parliamentary administration in the state.

She is a member of professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association, and has received several honours, including the Lagos State House of Assembly Long Service Award.