Lateef Olufemi Okunnu, born on February 19, 1933, in Lagos State, Nigeria, is one of Nigeria’s most respected legal minds and public figures. Known for his integrity, intellect, and dedication to national service, Okunnu’s name stands tall among the nation’s post-independence generation of leaders who shaped Nigeria’s political and legal institutions.
Early Life and Background
Lateef Olufemi Okunnu was born into a prominent Yoruba Muslim family in Lagos State. Growing up in Lagos during the colonial and early post-independence periods, he was exposed to both Western education and traditional Nigerian values — a blend that shaped his disciplined and patriotic character.
From a young age, Okunnu showed exceptional academic promise and leadership qualities, which led him to pursue higher education both at home and abroad.
Education
Okunnu attended King’s College, Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious secondary schools, where he excelled academically and participated in various extracurricular activities that honed his leadership skills.
After completing his secondary education, he traveled to the United Kingdom to study law. He was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London, before returning to Nigeria to be enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
His legal education and training in Britain provided him with a strong foundation for the role he would later play in shaping Nigeria’s legal and political landscape.
Legal Career
Upon returning to Nigeria, Okunnu quickly rose through the ranks of the legal profession. His dedication, mastery of the law, and ethical conduct earned him the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (S.A.N.), one of the highest honors in the Nigerian legal system.
Over the years, he handled several landmark cases and served as legal counsel to major public and private institutions. His career was marked by a deep sense of justice, fairness, and professionalism.
He also contributed significantly to the development of legal education in Nigeria through mentorship and active participation in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other professional bodies.
Public Service and Political Career
Lateef Olufemi Okunnu’s public service career began in earnest when he was appointed Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing during the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon (1967–1974).
In this role, he supervised the construction and maintenance of major national infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges, and housing estates across Nigeria. His tenure is remembered for promoting efficiency and accountability in public works.
In 1980, Okunnu served as part of the Nigerian Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, representing the country’s interests on global issues. His contributions reflected his deep commitment to Nigeria’s development and international diplomacy.
Family and Personal Life
Lateef Olufemi Okunnu is married to Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu, a respected public servant and community leader who also served as the Deputy Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2003 under Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The couple has children who have followed in their footsteps of professionalism and public service. Their family is well known for its legacy of education, discipline, and civic responsibility.
Later Years and Legacy
Even in his later years, Okunnu remained active in national discourse, particularly concerning issues of governance, law, and Nigerian unity. He has been a vocal advocate for constitutional reform and has written and spoken extensively on Nigeria’s political structure, corruption, and the need for ethical leadership.
His life’s work stands as a testament to his belief in nation-building through justice, discipline, and public accountability.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Lateef Olufemi Okunnu
Date of Birth: February 19, 1933
State of Origin: Lagos State, Nigeria
Profession: Lawyer, Politician, Statesman
Position Held: Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing (1967–1974)
Honor: Senior Advocate of Nigeria (S.A.N.)
Spouse: Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu (former Deputy Governor of Lagos State)
Delegation: Nigerian Representative at the United Nations General Assembly (1980)
Status: Alive as of 2025
Sources
1. The Guardian Nigeria – “Femi Okunnu: Nigeria Needs a New Constitution to Survive” (2022)
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
