By Peter Dansu Dr. Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku (PhD) is a distinguished administrator, cultural historian, tourism expert, and prolific auth...
By Peter Dansu
Dr. Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku (PhD) is a distinguished administrator, cultural historian, tourism expert, and prolific author whose professional journey has left a remarkable imprint on Lagos State and beyond. A proud indigene of Badagry, Lagos State, he is widely celebrated as one of the foremost authorities on culture, tourism, and diaspora studies in Nigeria.
A former Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Public Service, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Mesewaku is a quintessential civil servant whose career is defined by diligence, vision, and impact. He began his public service journey in the local government system, where, through hard work and outstanding leadership, he rose to the apex of his profession as Council Manager/Head of Administration between 2003 and 2016. During this period, he served in several local governments across Lagos, including Surulere, Ibeju-Lekki, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ejigbo, and Yaba LCDAs. His sterling performance earned him the award of Most Outstanding Council Manager in Lagos State in both 2007 and 2011, conferred by the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria.
Academically, Dr. Mesewaku is a thoroughbred scholar whose educational journey spans both local and international institutions. He holds multiple qualifications across diverse fields including English/Theatre Arts, Tourism, Legal Studies, Museum Studies, and Public Administration, culminating in a PhD in African Studies from the prestigious University of Ibadan. His commitment to scholarship continues as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Diaspora Studies, University of Ibadan. He also serves as an Associate Lecturer at the Lagos State University’s School of Creativity, Culture and Tourism Studies, where he has designed curricula for various levels of tourism education and professional training.
As an author, Dr. Mesewaku has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s literary and cultural landscape. His works — covering Badagry historiography, culture, tourism, biography, and literature — include titles listed on Amazon. His most recent publication, a commissioned Compendium on the Inauguration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, further underscores his reputation as a cultural documentarian of note.
Beyond academia and authorship, Dr. Mesewaku is deeply involved in policy and development. He is a member of the Badagry Deep Sea Port GMOU Drafting Committee and the Lagos State University Marine and Blue Economy Policy Drafting Committee. Professionally, he holds Fellowships with the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria, and the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, where he also serves as Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter. In addition, he is a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
In September 2025, Dr. Mesewaku was appointed Chairman of the Badagry Local Government Tourism Committee by Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government — a role that aligns perfectly with his lifelong passion for heritage and tourism development.
Despite his vast professional and academic accomplishments, Dr. Mesewaku remains a family man at heart. He is happily married and blessed with exceptionally brilliant children.
Dr. Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku stands as a cultural torchbearer, thought leader, and advocate of tourism development, proudly flying the flag of Badagry and Lagos State on both national and international stages.
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