Mr. Mosopefolu George: Steering the Economic Engine of the Center of Excellence

Mr. Mosopefolu “Ope” George is a distinguished economist and corporate finance expert currently serving as the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget for Lagos State. With a career spanning over two decades in both the international private sector and Nigerian public service, he brings a wealth of strategic expertise to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet. His leadership is defined by a commitment to fiscal discipline and the actualization of the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Development Agenda, ensuring that the state's resources are efficiently channeled toward sustainable growth and social impact.

His academic foundation is rooted in global excellence, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of Leicester and a Master of Science in International Business from the Manchester School of Management (UMIST). Before transitioning to public service, Mr. George honed his financial acumen at top-tier global firms in London. He served in the Global Markets team at Citibank N.A., focusing on emerging market loan syndications across Europe and Africa, and later at KPMG London, where he specialized in Corporate Finance and Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) for large-scale public sector projects.

​Mr. George’s journey in the Lagos State Government has been marked by a series of high-impact leadership roles. He previously served as the Senior Special Assistant on Economic Matters to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and later as the Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited, the state’s vehicle for the Lekki Free Zone. Prior to his current cabinet rank, he served as the Director-General and later Special Adviser on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), where he was instrumental in fostering collaborations that boosted infrastructure development and attracted significant investment to the state.

​Since his appointment as Commissioner in September 2023, Mr. George has overseen a period of remarkable fiscal performance for Lagos. Under his watch, the state achieved an impressive 87% budget performance in 2024, with total revenue projections surging significantly for the 2025 fiscal year. He has been a vocal advocate for innovation and data-driven governance, spearheading initiatives like the Lagos State Science, Research, and Innovation Council (LASRIC) and overseeing substantial investments in social protection programs that reach millions of residents.

Beyond his professional accolades, Mr. George is recognized as a visionary leader who balances technical precision with a deep-seated passion for the welfare of Lagosians. He remains focused on maintaining the state’s status as Africa's premier investment destination by improving budget transparency and reinforcing economic planning processes. A family man married to Oluwafemi George with three sons, he continues to be a pivotal figure in the "Center of Excellence," driving the policies that ensure Lagos remains a resilient and thriving megacity.