LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has thrown his support behind Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat's 2027 governorship ambition, revealing that their friendship dates back 49 years to their days as boarding school students.

Otedola made the disclosure on Monday, October 19, in a post on his social media platform, X, following a private dinner he hosted in honour of Hamzat, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State.

The gathering brought together some of Nigeria's most influential business figures, including Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote and BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu.

Reflecting on their longstanding relationship, Otedola recalled sharing a bunk bed with Hamzat nearly five decades ago, describing the deputy governor as someone whose character he had come to admire over the years.

“Yesterday, I hosted dinner in honour of @DrObafemiHamzat, the incoming Governor of Lagos State. A man of the highest integrity, with whom I shared a bunk bed at boarding school 49 years ago,” Otedola wrote.

The businessman praised Hamzat's personal qualities, citing honesty, sincerity, fairness and strong moral principles as characteristics he had observed throughout their friendship.

His comments amounted to a public endorsement of Hamzat's governorship ambition as political activities intensify ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections.

The dinner, held at Otedola's residence on Sunday, also attracted attention because of the presence of Dangote and Rabiu, two leading figures in Nigeria's private sector.

Rabiu confirmed his attendance in a social media post, describing the occasion as an evening of friendship and meaningful conversations.

The BUA Group chairman also extended his best wishes to Hamzat as the deputy governor prepares to contest the Lagos governorship election.

Hamzat, who has served as deputy governor under Babajide Sanwo-Olu since 2019, emerged as the APC governorship candidate in May 2026 following the party's primary election.

According to results announced by the party's electoral committee, Hamzat secured 657,917 votes, defeating his challenger, Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal, who received one vote.

The primary, conducted across Lagos State's 20 local government areas, positioned Hamzat as the ruling party's candidate to succeed Sanwo-Olu, whose second term ends in 2027.

Hamzat previously served as Commissioner for Science and Technology in Lagos State and has been involved in public administration and governance for several years.

His governorship campaign is expected to focus on infrastructure development, employment creation, education, healthcare and the continuation of existing development programmes in the state.

Otedola's endorsement adds a personal dimension to Hamzat's political campaign, highlighting a friendship that began long before either man became prominent in business or public life.

While the presence of prominent industrialists at the dinner attracted attention, the event does not establish any formal financial commitment to Hamzat's campaign.

As Lagos prepares for the 2027 governorship contest, Hamzat will seek to build on his experience in government while presenting his plans to voters in Nigeria's commercial capital.

For Otedola, the occasion was also an opportunity to celebrate a friendship that has endured for almost half a century, from their shared school accommodation to Hamzat's bid for the state's highest political office.

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