Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, widely known as SMA, has formally signalled his intention to vie for the Lagos State governorship in the 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
An entrepreneur and development-focused advocate from the Badagry Division, Ajose’s emergence follows growing agitation by political and community stakeholders for the governorship seat to shift to Badagry, in the interest of equity, inclusion, and recognition of the division’s contributions to the growth of Lagos State.
In furtherance of party strengthening efforts, Ajose, through the SMA Movement, donated 24 new printers and 44 tablets to support smooth electronic registration across three councils. He also provided equipment and financial assistance to all 57 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to enhance continuous voter registration and boost APC membership mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Additional funds were equally released to facilitate the training of more personnel to support the registration exercise statewide.
Outlining his motivation, Ajose described himself as a forward-looking entrepreneur committed to building sustainable communities, institutions, and economic systems.
He currently serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitikal Group, a conglomerate with investments in construction, luxury real estate, and infrastructure development, which has played a role in stimulating local economic growth and community advancement.
Ajose holds academic and executive qualifications from the University of Ilorin, Harvard Business School, and the International Business School of Scandinavia.
He noted that his personal struggles to finance his education instilled in him a lifelong belief in education as a critical tool for social mobility and empowerment.
Through the Samuel Mawuyon Ajose Foundation, he has executed several social impact initiatives, including a quarterly food support programme that reaches more than 1,100 families in Badagry, Ojo, and Ikorodu. Beneficiaries include widows, senior citizens, low-income earners, and other vulnerable groups.
The foundation also supports students from primary to tertiary levels through scholarships and educational assistance, with special attention given to girls.
In addition, it delivers healthcare services to underserved communities through mobile clinics and periodic medical outreach programmes.
Beyond philanthropy, Ajose has interests in tourism and technology-driven ventures. He is the promoter of Le Grand Bleu Beach Resort, a hospitality project designed to position Lagos as a major African tourism destination while creating employment opportunities.
He is also the founder of Travelfix, a travel technology company offering flight and hotel bookings, holiday packages, and visa processing services across more than 50 countries, with access to over half a million hotels worldwide and operational offices in four major Nigerian cities.
Speaking on his governorship ambition, Ajose said his decision is anchored on a desire to expand access to quality education, empower women, generate sustainable employment for young people, and diversify Lagos State’s economy through tourism, technology, and small and medium-scale enterprises.
He maintained that true leadership should be measured by service, impact, and the positive transformation of lives.
