Mr. Bode Agoro, Permanent Secretary of Lands Bureau in Lagos State is one big boy that many people talk about at the seat of Lagos State Government, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos. Be that as it may, there are certain things so many people don’t know about him. Read on…

“I was born at Island Maternity in Lagos into the household of Late Justice I.O. Agoro and Alhaja G.E.R Agoro (nee Shitta-Bey) of Isale Eko. I am the last of five children and happily married to Abisola Agoro with four children, (two boys and two girls). I attended Corona Primary School Victoria Island, Lagos and later went to St Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos, and then onto Lagos State University (LASU) where I enrolled for Political Science in 1988 (which I did not finish). Just before enrolling in LASU, I joined Stationary Stores Football Club in 1987 (till 1989), playing in the Division One National League. During my time with Stationary Stores Football Club, I played football in almost all the then 19 states of Nigeria. Prior to joining Stationary Stores Football Club, I played for UAC Football Club (1982-84), then to Savannah Bank Football Club (1984-87). Throughout these periods I combined my studies with playing full time football. I left Nigeria (and LASU) after only 2 years of study, for the United Kingdom to play professional football at Leeds United.

After one year at Leeds United, I left (due to injuries and on instruction from my Dad) to study law at Leeds University. I graduated with a second-class upper honors degree in law (LLB) in 1993. Thereafter I returned to Nigeria to undertake a two year law school program at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos and was called to bar in 1995. After the law school program I commenced my NYSC program and then got employment with the law firm of F. O Akinrele & Co., one of the foremost and prestigious law firms in Nigeria (the law firm has produced four Senior Advocates of Nigeria till date).

I gathered substantial and quality experience during my time at F. O Akinrele & Co dealing in oil and gas law, shipping law and litigation work. I continue to have tremendous respect for them. I left F. O. Akinrele & Co (in September 1998) to undertake a masters degree in Petroleum Law (LLM) at the Centre for Energy Petroleum, Mineral Law and Policy at the University of Dundee. After obtaining my LLM (with distinction) in Petroleum Law in 2000, I decided to gain some practical experience in petroleum law. After numerous interviews I was offered employment at Denton Wilde Sapte (a firm of solicitors in London) as a lawyer in the Energy Department. I was at Denton Wilde Sapte when I met with His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (then Governor of Lagos) at a conference in London. After some discussions and submitting my CV to him he invited me to Lagos for a chat/interview. For all it was worth I decided to go to Lagos (leaving my wife and child behind) in July 2003 for the chat with Asiwaju packing a small bag. I arrived in Lagos and after three days of waiting and trying to see him, I finally met with Asiwaju and after some discussions he offered me a job to start the next day. Of course I accepted the job and started the next day, 7th of July 2003.”