Why Sam Egbe Is Labeled Very Influential In Sanwo-Olu’s Govt

Insiders say former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Samuel Egbe—fondly addressed as Sam Egbe—is one of the most influential players in the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Egbe currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to the Governor of Lagos State.

He assumed the position in late May 2024, following the shocking demise of his predecessor, Gboyega Soyannwo—one of the most beloved appointees in the state.

Sources disclose that the new DCoS wields significant influence largely due to a critical function he performs: managing the Governor’s appointments.

“You have to understand the kind of effort it takes to get an appointment with a Governor like Sanwo-Olu to appreciate the kind of influence that comes with being in charge of fixing his appointments,” an insider pointed out.

Beyond politics, Lagos is Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, contributing no less than 30% to the nation’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and serving as its primary financial, commercial, and industrial hub.

With a population estimated to exceed 20 million and a thriving informal sector, Lagos generates substantial tax revenue and employment opportunities, making it central to Nigeria’s economic stability and growth.

Sanwo-Olu governs the state widely regarded as the gateway to international trade in West Africa—facilitating billions of dollars in imports and exports and linking regional markets to global supply chains.

And in the corridors of that powerhouse, where every minute counts and access is currency, Sam Egbe is the man who holds the key to the Governor’s time—a gatekeeper whose quiet power shapes who gets heard, and when. And he is described as doing an excellent job of it.