Otunba Engr. Segun Jawando, MFR
Otunba (Engr) Olusegun Abayomi Jawando was born on December 3, 1941 in Lagos. He attended Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos from 1955-1961. In 1962 he won full scholarship to an American University through the African Scholarship Programme of American University (ASPAU) to study for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering at Washington State University, Pullman, Washington State. He also obtained a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington State, USA in 1970.
The highlights of his educational and professional background include:
– A Professional programme in Urban Transportation and Development at the Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA
– A Planning and General Projects Analysis Programme at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;
– A professional programme in Urban Development at the Education Development Institute, World Bank, Washington D.C, USA.
Engr Jawando while in the USA was employed as;
A civil engineer with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Washington State. An urban planner-engineer with the Montgomery-Green County Transportation Development and Planning programme in Dayton, Ohio, USA where he participated in urban transportation and development.
In 1972, he decided to leave a promising career in the USA to put his professional knowledge and experience to the development of his country, Nigeria. He took up employment with the Lagos Executive Development Board (LEDB) later Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) where he was responsible for the planning and development of many residential and industrial estates amongst which are Amuwo Odofin New Town, Gbagada Estates, Ogba and Omole Residential Schemes as well as Ikorodu Industrial Scheme.
In 1977, Engr. Jawando was deployed to the services of the Lagos State Civil Services as Assistant Chief Town Planning Officer where he contributed to the preparation of the first Lagos State Regional Master Plan as well as the first Comprehensive Master Plan for Metropolitan Lagos, a joint effort of the Lagos State Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He also contributed to the development of FESTAC Town as well as the Murtala Mohammed Airport. In 1981, he was appointed as the Director of the newly created New Towns Development Authority with the responsibility for developing the hitherto vast undeveloped Lekki Peninsula as well as other underdeveloped areas of Lagos State.
Under his Planning leadership, the Government of Lagos State accomplished the following milestones; the development of the Lagos Epe-Expressway, the development of the Victoria Island Annex, the Lekki Scheme 1, Ikeja Central Business District, Alausa, Magodo Residential Scheme.
In 1984, Otunba was appointed as a Permanent Secretary in the Governor’s Office responsible for the Department of Physical Planning and Development Matters. He was also Director General, Ministry of Tourism and Home Affairs. After he retired in 1989, he managed a property development company before establishing a planning and development consultancy. He has consulted for many developments including shopping mall, offices and residential buildings and estates.
Otunba (Engr) Jawando continues to offer his services to Lagos State in various capacities. As the Chairman of the Lekki Free Zone Technical Committee which was charged with conceptualization and establishment of the 16,500 hectares Free Zone in Ibeju, Lekki the largest free zone in Africa, The Lekki Free Zone.
Otunba (Engr) Jawando remains the pioneer Chairman of Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by the Lagos State Government for the development, implementation and operation of the free zone in joint –venture partnership with a Chinese Consortium known as the Lekki Free Zone Development Company.
He is the Chairman of the joint venture company.
Engr. Jawando was Chairman, Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Board and he is also the organizer of the Lagos Water Regatta promoted by the Lagos State Government. The Water Regatta is an annual event staged to showcase the spendour of the waterways of the state and the culture of its people. He is on the board of several companies involved in various ventures including construction, building materials and property development.
(Engr) Jawando is a distinguished Merit Awardee of Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA), a recipient of the Inside Business Africa Leadership Series 2011 Award, as well as National Merit Award as Member of Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR).He is blessed with a wonderful, caring and supportive wife, Funmi. He is blessed with many children and grandchildren.