Toyin Falola
Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, a Nigerian medical doctor and seasoned politician, has been selected as the chairman of the 2025 memorial lecture in honour of the late Professor Ayo Olukotun, a distinguished academic, journalist, and educator, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Lead City University.
Dr. Mamora was born on February 16, 1953, to the late Chief K. A. Mamora and Deaconess E. A. Mamora, both of whom were community leaders in Ijebuland. Dr. Olorunnimbe was raised in Ijebu, Ogun State, Nigeria, and completed his secondary school at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School from 1966 to 1972. He attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (formerly the University of Ife), to obtain a Bachelor’s degree (MB, Ch.B) in Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Mamora served as a Medical Officer at May Clinics Group in Lagos immediately after his NYSC. In 1987, he founded his private medical practice, Nimbus Medical Centre, in Ogudu, Lagos. From 1988 until 1992, he held the position of Company Medical Doctor at Cadbury Nigeria PLC, and he continued to practice medicine until 1999 when he transitioned to a career in partisan politics.
The medical professional and experienced politician, Senator Mamora, is well-traveled and has attended several conferences in governance, leadership, and healthcare. He has also presented many papers both locally, nationally, and internationally and has been bestowed with many honours, laurels, and awards. Immediately after he was elected speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) in 1999, Dr. Mamora became a household name and a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian political landscape. Mamora’s intelligence, aura, appeal, political consciousness, and profound understanding of legislative procedures were readily apparent in the House as he represented the Kosofe local government, resulting in his appointment as Speaker. After he dedicated his time and efforts to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association during his tenure as the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, he was later named Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of Nigeria’s State Houses of Assembly in 2001.
In addition, Dr. Mamora was later elected to the country’s highest legislative body, the Senate, where he represented the Lagos East Senatorial District. It is often said that one good turn deserves another; therefore, he was again re-elected to the Senate in 2007 for a second term. During this time, Senator Mamora served in a range of leadership roles, including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Code of Conduct, Public Petitions, and membership in the ECOWAS Parliament, so proving his leadership qualities. Some of his accomplishments and contributions as a Senator and member of the Hallowed Chamber included his sponsorship of bills pertaining to the tenure of office and the revision of the Tobacco Control Act. Not only that, he also cosponsored a number of bills, which included the repeal of Senate Rule 111 to adhere to the country’s constitution. It is noteworthy that his charisma and charm earned him the appellation of the “master of parliamentary procedures.”
In 2018, Senator Mamora was appointed as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), an initiative that aims to promote an efficient multimodal transportation system and successful inland waterways transportation in Nigeria. He subsequently served as the Minister of State for Health from 2019 to 2022 and as the Minister of Science and Technology from 2022 to 2023. As the Minister of State for Health, Senator Mamora was popular for his policy formulations, regulations, and dedication to social development and public health initiatives. He was mostly recognized for his contributions to moving major health regulations from NAFDAC to the Ministry of Health and finally to the Ministry of Justice, especially during the #TransfatFreeNigeria campaign, which was a campaign to remove partially hydrogenated oils from the food supply.
On Thursday, 16th February 2023, distinguished individuals, such as Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Boss Mustapha, Chibuike Amaechi, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Gbenga Daniel all felicitated with him on his 70th birthday celebration in Ikeja, Lagos. This occasion also marked the launch of his biography, “Olorunnimbe,” and the establishment of the Mamora Education and Leadership Foundation. Senator Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora is happily married to his wife, Olanlesi Mamora, with three beautiful kids who are thriving in their respective fields. When Senator Mamora is not reading, he is either listening to music or chanting hymnals.
Please join us at the inaugural Professor Olukotun’s memorial lecture at Lead City University on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 10.30 AM.
Quite a life