Adebiyi Mabadeje, using Science & Technology to improve government service delivery to Lagosians

He is very easy going and down to earth yet professional in executing his duties. Born to the family of Professor Abdul-Fatai Biola Mabadeje and Professor Saida Ajile Mabadeje on the 2nd of April 1967, you need not be told he had no choice but to excel academically having such cerebral distinguished personalities as his parents.

He had his secondary education at the prestigious King’s College, Lagos (1979- 1983) and proceeded to the University of Lagos where he earned the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc Hons) Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1989.  He was back at the same University for a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 1997.

His working career has seen him garner over fifteen years experience in various positions with different IT/Telecom industries in Nigeria and West Africa. Call him a dynamic and result oriented executive with a proven track record of excellent performance then you would have described him correctly. He has a good understanding of the principles, philosophies and techniques of designing and execution of major projects and in recognition of his versatility in IT/Telecom development and deployment, he was appointed by the Fashola administration as a commissioner on July 4 2011.

Welcome to the world of Adebiyi Mabadeje, the Honourable Commissioner in the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology.

“I come from a middle class background and I was taught from childhood that hard work is the only route to success. I am the only son and I have three sisters but we were all treated equally by our parents which reinforced the ideals of hard work and team work.” He tells me as the interview begins and he continues “My parents are both retired professors so scholarship and research were and still are an integral part of my life.” He tells me.

Sharing with me his responsibilities as commissioner, Adebiyi says “my duties include developing policy, strategy and implementation plans for the growth of Science and Technology in Lagos State with particular emphasis on stimulating innovation and economic growth by leveraging on Science and Technology to create an enabling business environment in collaboration with the private sector.”

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“Secondly, my duty includes using ICT to improve government service delivery to citizens, businesses and other tiers of government.”

For Adebiyi, having a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters degree in Business Administration, combined with his work experience where he was privileged to manage complex projects have given him a good footing to contribute positively and discharge his responsibilities effectively.

I asked Mabadeje how his ministry has impacted Lagos for good, his contribution to it among others and his response said it all. Hear him “Lagos State has leveraged on ICT to improve service delivery to Lagosians. Some of our notable areas of impact include – Public Safety & Security, E-Governance, Science & Innovation and Broadband Infrastructure. My team and I have contributed to these impactful services by continuing the programs we inherited and enhancing and improving them.”

Shedding more light on his job in four years so far, Adebiyi has this to say “any role you find yourself, you must find your feet and understand how processes work in order to efficiently manage the resources at your disposal to deliver effective services. Not a lot has changed but after almost 4 years in the job, I’m clearly better equipped to discharge my duties more efficiently.” He states.

Working under an administration that has enjoyed several accolades for obvious effective actualisation of promised agendas, I asked Mabadeje to describe his boss, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) in few words and this is what he had to say “My boss BRF is extremely driven and hardworking and his passion is highly contagious.”

Looking at Adebiyi, it is easy to conclude he is an ardent lover of sporting activities but he however tells me his preferred choice. Again he speaks “I’m an avid squash player and I try to play 3 times a week (work schedule willing). I also play scrabble at a competitive level when I have the opportunity which is restricted to online games these days also due to my work schedule.

With his position comes personal and professional challenges “Combining excelling at my work, spending quality time with my wife and three daughters and making time for recreation are all challenging but God’s grace has remained sufficient for me so He makes it possible to excel in all.” Mabadeje tells me.

Adebiyi’s Philosophy of life is the love of God, humility, hard work and service to others as taught by his parents. “When you have a combination of the four listed, then you will find that life is real worth living and you can live daily fulfilling purpose and impacting humanity.”