Lagos mourns again as fifth female council official dies in two months

Lagos State has been plunged into fresh mourning following the death of Mrs Adebimpe Akintola, Council Manager of Coker Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Chairman of the Forum of Council Managers in Lagos State.

Akintola, who served as the administrative and accounting head of Coker Aguda LCDA, reportedly passed away on Monday, 29 September, after a brief illness. Her burial is scheduled for Tuesday in line with Islamic rites, with Janazah prayers to be held at Al Kitab Mosque, Abosede Onamade Street, Eleshin, followed by interment at Equitable CDA Muslim Cemetery, Igbe Lara.

The Forum of Council Managers confirmed her death in a statement, saying:

“With total submission to the will of Allah, we announce the passing of our Chairman, Mrs Adebimpe Akintola, on Monday, September 29, 2025. She served as the Council Manager of Coker/Aguda LCDA until her death.”

Her passing has cast a shadow of grief over Coker Aguda LCDA staff and the wider community of council administrators, with many describing it as a significant blow to grassroots governance in the state.

A troubling pattern of losses

Akintola’s death is the fifth among female council officials in Lagos within two months, sparking concern over the series of tragedies since the inauguration of the current council administration on 27 July, 2025.

The roll call of recent losses includes:

• 13 August 2025: Mrs Oluwakemi Rufai, Councillor for Ward C, Ibeju Lekki Local Government.
• 18 August 2025: Mrs Zainab Shotayo, Councillor for Ward C, Odiolowo-Ojuwoye LCDA.
• 20 September 2025: Princess Oluremi Ajose, Vice Chairman, Badagry West LCDA.
• 21 September 2025: Mrs Basirat Oluwakemi Mayabikan, Councillor for Ward F, Somolu Local Government.

Council Managers, also referred to as Heads of Administration (HoA), oversee the administrative and financial operations of all 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs across Lagos.

With Akintola’s passing, colleagues and political leaders alike are grappling with the shocking frequency of deaths among female council officials — a trend many fear could undermine grassroots governance if not urgently addressed.