Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hosted Esther Etiyemonu on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Lagos House in Marina. Esther Etiyemonu, a 14-year-old student from Lagos State Senior Model College Igbokuta in Imota, Ikorodu, emerged as the one-day governor of the state. She won the 21st Lagos State Spelling Bee Competition held in December 2025 at the Eko FM Multi-purpose Hall.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated Esther Etiyemonu in a post on X. He described her as a brilliant student and highlighted her confidence, focus, and hard work. “Her confidence, focus, and hard work stand out. She represents the very best of our youth, and I am incredibly proud of her achievements,” Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu wrote. He added that her future appeared bright.
Esther Etiyemonu presided over a brief State Executive Council meeting during her one-day tenure. She was accompanied by her two-member cabinet. This included One-Day Deputy Governor Dorcas Awoyemi from Ikosi Senior High School and One-Day Secretary to the State Government Salami Jumain Olaide from Angus Memorial Senior High School in Yaba. Parents and teachers joined the group.
Esther Etiyemonu received N1 million as the overall winner of the 21st edition. Dorcas Awoyemi took second place and earned N750,000. Olaide Salami secured third place and received N500,000. The Spelling Bee initiative encouraged academic excellence among public secondary school students across Lagos State.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu noted that Esther Etiyemonu’s success from Lagos State Senior Model College justified his administration’s continued support for education. The school benefited from government interventions. The one-day governor program symbolized recognition of young talent and promoted educational achievement in the state.
