Engr. (Dr.) Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (KOH) was born September 19, 1964 in Lagos, Nigeria. His father, Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat is the Lagos West Senatorial District Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and his mother, Alhaja A.K. Hamzat Nee Okonu of Oke Balogun Area of Epe Town in Lagos State.
Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hazat started school at Odu Abore Memorial Primary School, Mushin, Lagos. For his secondary education, he was at the Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo. Thereafter, he got admission to the University of Ibadan where he graduated with B.Sc. Honours, Second Class Upper Division in Agricultural Engineering (1986) and M.Sc. in Crop Processing Engineering (1988). He thereafter proceeded to the famous Silsoe College, Cranfield University, England where he obtained a Ph.D in System Process Engineering in 1992. To his credit, he was the first student to complete his doctoral degree within three years in his department at Cranfield. He also holds a certificate in Computer/Windows Programming (1995) of the Baruch College, City University of New York, USA.
A peep into Engr. (Dr.) Kadri Obafemi Hamzat working life offers explanation for the sterling performance that characterized his meritorious career in public service. He had stints in the private sector and the academia before birthing in the public service where he is shining like a million stars. He had over two decades of working experience in diverse areas of engineering practice, including project management, computer networking, enterprise system assessment, engineering system design and implementation. He has during this period held enviable positions in different world-class international organizations.
He was Human Resources Administration Case Manager, City of New York, USA from March 1993 to January 1996; Associate Director, Desktop/System Support, RTP Consulting Services, New York, USA and Adjunct Professor, College of New Rochelle, New York, USA from January, 1996 to June 1997; Consultant on System and Infrastructural Upgrade, Citibank NA/Compaq Computer Services, New York, USA between June 1997 and September 1999; Adjunct Professor, CTA Programme, Columbia University, New York, USA from September 1998 to June 2000; Vice President, Core Technology Support Group, Merrill Lynch Inc, New York, USA from October, 1999 to July, 2002. Senior Associate, PC Engineering, Morgan Stanley Inc, New York, USA, from July, 2002 to March 2005; and CIO and Group Head, IT Strategy, Oando Plc., Lagos, Nigeria from March to July, 2005.
Indeed, those who witnessed his growing up right from Epe Town, and Mushin are not surprised at his phenomenal activities in public service, especially his selfless service to Lagos State.
In recognition of his versatility and global experience in engineering practice and ICT development and deployment, Engr. (Dr.) Kadri Obafemi Hamzat was appointed the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technology, Lagos State in the month of August 2005 by the past Governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is a leader with an eye for details and ability to identify gold even in its raw state.
Unsurprisingly, his exhibition of clear sense of commitment, devotion and total dedication to duty as serious minded technocrat with a dream spirit, his track record of performance in office earned him, the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN who reappointed him in the same capacity as Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technology, upon his assumption in office as Governor of Lagos State in the year 2007, a position he held with distinction till June 2011.
KOH, an administrator with exceptional strength, ability and vision was later reappointed Honourable Commissioner, Works and Infrastructure, Lagos State by the Governor on the 4th of July, 2011. Not only is Dr. Hamzat an astute technocrat and a team player, he has integrity that can be described as uncommon in this part of the world. It was during his tenure as Commissioner for Science and Technology that Dr. Hamzat enforced the application of modern technology in the State’s Ministries, thus changing the face of data and record keeping in Lagos and at the same time eliminating the trend of state ghost workers. As Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Hamzat mandate has been to provide an articulate development and implementation of enduring infrastructure and service to the greatest advantage of the citizens in Lagos State by a motivated and dedicated workforce. In execution of his mandate, Dr. Hamazat’s Ministry initiated and completed several key projects for Lagos State in the Mega-City Era.
In October 2018, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), picked Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, as his running mate for the Lagos governorship election in 2019. As a team, they had a resounding victory at the polls.
From whatever perspective you choose to look at him, KOH is a picture of consistency. From the perspective of a technocrat, a politician, a professional Engineer, thorough-bred systems integrator, seasoned administrator, consummate manager of men and materials, a loyalist, a man of integrity, a committed family man, you name it; he is a man that has left his footprints on the sands of time. And there are clear indications that the footprints will get bolder, and more visible, as the years go by.
A role model for the present and future generations. Engr. (Dr.) Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, an acknowledged achiever, a quintessential public servant and distinguished administrator is happily married and combines successfully his public assignments with his fatherly roles to his children.
