The first question I ask myself when I get into an office is what would I be remembered for if I leave – Akinbile-Yussuf

The immediate past Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, is a woman of many parts. A pharmacist by training, she is also a successful industrialist, who between 2015 and 2023 served as commissioner in charge of four different ministries in Lagos and left indelible legacies in all. Uzamat will mark her 50th birthday next Saturday. Ahead of the event, she spoke with journalists about her growing up, issues that shaped her personality, and her dreams for the future.

Looking back at what you have achieved in life so far, what does fulfillment mean to you?
Thank you for that question. I think the question is why this celebration? It’s looking at how far you have gone in life and the grace that God has bestowed on you. That is when you decide that this kind of celebration is worthwhile.
To the glory of God, over the years, what God has done for me is marvelous in my sight. I have a very humble background with blood of royalty and discipline. I always tell people that when you come from a humble background and you are well disciplined, you have gotten the best to start off your life with.
My late mother was a very tough woman. I happen to be the first daughter with five elder brothers. So, life wasn’t fun. My father, who should have showered that love and given me the best of childhood that any child would love to experience, died so early. I was barely 16 years old when I lost my father. So, life became another thing because my mother wouldn’t stop at anything to discipline me.
But to the glory of God, I appreciate both of them. My mother made me to be a strong independent woman through the kind of training she gave me. This has enabled me to train my children in the same manner. I didn’t spare the rod when they were much younger. So, I appreciate my family.

What are the major thorns you have experienced in the course of your life so far?
When I lost my father, it was like the world wanted to crumble on me because I saw him as my pillar of support. I couldn’t imagine a life without the loving father he was. I was still in secondary school then and it was tough with my mother.

I would have dropped out of school when the man passed on but because I promised my father that I would make sure I graduate from a university, I soldiered on. And how did I make that promise? A teacher came to report me to him that I was not serious in school and he felt disappointed. I told him not to mind the teacher and promised him that I would study up to the university level and bag a certificate.
I kept remembering that promise after he passed on. So, I resolved that whatever it was going to cost me to be a graduate I must achieve it. Yes, it was very tough; you needed to run from one place to another to pay your school fees. When I did my first WAEC, I didn’t pass; my mother simply told me to go and look for a business to do. I just packed my things and left the house. I came to Ibadan with a friend and from there started looking for opportunities to enroll myself in a school and pass my WAEC and JAMB. I was able to pass both before I returned back to my mother. I was admitted to study Biochemistry at the University of Ibadan, which was not the course of my choice at that time. So, I was writing JAMB year in year out because I wanted to be a pharmacist and not a biochemist. I am happy I am a pharmacist today.
I think that is just who I am. Whatever I want to get, I don’t look at the challenges on my way. I don’t believe that there is a storm one cannot overcome in life unless you don’t have the strength to go further. If you are really determined, it might be difficult; it might be tough but you will surely achieve it. I always tell the young ones that nothing good comes easy. Nobody will come and knock on your door and say come and have sweets unless it is a stone that is inside the paper they wrapped. If it’s truly sweet, people will be eager to have it for themselves and so will not knock on your door to give you your own. So, you will need to stress yourself to get it and that is when you will appreciate it. So, I love to struggle to get whatever I want and I don’t get deterred easily.

How did growing up among five elder brothers prepare you to play in the country’s political arena, which is dominated by men?
I was nurtured by guys; I was in their midst. So, I know how tough it was growing up with them. My brothers were very tough with me when we were growing up. That alone prepared me to face anybody in life. To me, if I could face these ‘lions’ in the house and survive, I can face anybody. I have never found myself anywhere a man will be a threat to my life and my ambitions. We are all human beings and we are equal. No man can tell me that because I am a lady or a woman, you can’t do this or that. I will tell you that the only thing you can do that I cannot do is may be going to war. If it’s going to war, I will sit at home. But outside that, if it’s about intellect, maturity and mind, we are all equal. So, I don’t feel threatened at all. So, that prepared me for my journey in politics and it’s good for me.

Were the men you worked with in different ministries as commissioner comfortable with your nature with regard to you seeing them as equals?
I think I’m a bit fortunate; I grew up in a very large family and we are very accommodating. I have gone through so many experiences in life. However, I was fortunate to have the best permanent secretaries when I was coming in afresh into the system and that helped me to understand their roles and expectations.

The first permanent secretary I worked with is now the Principal Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. I had the best time with him. He is a thorough administrator who knows his onions. I took my time to study him and understand his roles. So, I was not pushed to dominate him as a woman. He respected the office I occupied and I think we are the best of friends, even till today. Subsequently, other people that I worked with had gathered experience and I had been able to understand my role as the honourable commissioner. They were able to give their best and I contributed my own quota. However, I think I had more female permanent secretaries than male. I had only two male permanent secretaries; I worked with the third person for only four months.

For you, what does it take for a woman to stand out from the pack and shine brightly?
It’s a mindset. For me, I am being propelled by my goals. So, you can only be exceptional when you have a force that is driving you, a positive driving force. I think that’s what really helped me.
So, if you want to be exceptional in whatever you do, just have your own inner strength and persistence to break the wall and achieve your goals. It’s difficult but you must develop yourself and prepare your mind that nothing will deter you from achieving your goals. But when you are goalless, it means there is nothing for you to achieve and that is a problem on its own. It’s not only for a woman; it’s for anybody. When you don’t have a personal goal, there is nothing for you to achieve.
When I get into an office, the first question I ask myself is what would I be remembered for if I leave the place tomorrow that would last the test of time? If I’m thinking of something I would do that would not die when I leave, I must work very hard because the next person coming after you would want to dust your achievements. So, in all the ministries I have worked, I made sure that I left something behind that they are carrying on with. Three of my projects have become a pride to the Lagos State government today.

Can you highlight such projects?
The Ibile Youth Academy is the child that I gave birth to during my time at the Ministry of Youth and Social Development. The products of that academy have made Lagos State proud everywhere they go.
The Mindset Reorientation Programme, which was initiated to re-orientate the minds of the youth about what they can do while they are in the universities so that they will not be looking for jobs after graduation, is still running. This has helped many youths to navigate life.

What is your take on the agitation for gender inclusion? Do you think there should be a deliberate policy by the government and organisations towards that?
Recently, somebody asked me about the slot for women in a programme and I told the person that we are not handicapped as women. Let’s go to the field and sort it out. I don’t see why I should be craving special attention. I am a woman with a difference. Whatever I want to do, I don’t need to beg people because I’m a woman; they will be looking at me with pity. I don’t want to hear ‘leave her because she is a woman’ in anything that concerns me. I will leave you because you are a man.
Women are multi-tasked; we are strong; we are reliable. So, why would I need to be pitied to get what I deserve? I don’t go in that direction. So, I believe that if I have the capacity I will get it.

At 50, there is no doubt that you still have dreams to achieve. What should society expect from you going forward?
I was born on May 25, 1974. So, by the grace of God I will be 50 years old next Saturday. I want to celebrate it in my usual way and in some unusual ways.
The usual way of celebrating myself yearly is to give back to society, to the less privileged. I think I took that from my mother. So, we will be visiting hospitals and orphanages. I also have many youths that I love to mentor, who are looking up to me. I am going to sit down with them in a room and allow them to ask whatever question they want to ask about me. I will avail myself of them. If they have a speaker of choice they would want me to invite, I will try as much as possible to bring whoever they might have chosen.
Some of my young friends in politics are planning to have a football match in my honour where the boys will be competing with girls for the trophy.
There is also going to be a night of praises to thank God for the journey of my life so far. He deserves all I can muster to thank Him. My heart sings His praises everyday but that night is to say ‘God it’s only You that can do this for me.’
On life after 50, I still hope to serve if the opportunity comes. I don’t force myself to serve. Service means that people believe that you have the capacity to do something and they push you to go and do it. If it’s about my business I can force myself; but if it’s to serve people, NO! You cannot force yourself on people.
So, if they identify that I can help navigate one area or the other and they call on me, I will be available to pick it up. And to the glory of God, I have not disappointed people who entrusted me with an office and I believe I will never disappoint in any space I’m offered to serve. I am very diligent; I am a go-getter.