Four years after earning the mandate to represent Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru has become a model of effective legislative governance — blending technocratic expertise, accountability, and innovation. His 2023 re-election was less a surprise than a reaffirmation of trust in a lawmaker whose record continues to speak for itself.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and former Managing Director of a leading bank, Abiru entered the Senate with deep experience in finance and administration. He had earlier served as Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, where he earned a reputation for integrity and performance.
Today, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Abiru is recognized for his leadership, policy depth, and quiet efficiency — a rare blend of professionalism and public service.
Legislative Achievements and Economic Reforms
One of his landmark accomplishments is the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Bill, which was recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The legislation modernises Nigeria’s insurance framework, consolidating outdated laws and introducing key reforms such as the Insurance Protection Fund, which safeguards policyholders when insurance companies become insolvent.
“The goal was to create a modern, transparent insurance system that protects Nigerians and strengthens our economy,” Abiru explained. “It also aligns with President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda aimed at building a $1 trillion economy.”
The new law introduces risk-based capital requirements, ensures faster claims payments, and empowers the regulator, NAICOM, to enforce compliance. It also expands inclusion through microinsurance and takaful (Islamic insurance) — extending protection to small businesses and low-income earners.
“Insurance should not be seen as a privilege for the rich,” Abiru said. “This law ensures that every Nigerian — from micro-entrepreneurs to large corporations — can have access to affordable and reliable coverage.”
Commitment to Constituency Development
Beyond Abuja, Abiru’s impact is tangible across Lagos East. His development agenda rests on four pillars — legislation, empowerment, community development, and innovation.
In education, he has facilitated the construction of 20 new primary and secondary schools across the district. In healthcare, his efforts led to the establishment of four 40-bed primary health centres, including facilities at LASUSTECH and a new dental centre in Ikorodu.
He has also built mini-stadia in communities like Ijede and Igbogbo to promote youth development and sports. Traders in the Oluwo Fish Market, Ikorodu, now enjoy improved facilities following his market modernization project.
Twice a year, Abiru runs a food distribution programme that reaches more than 10,000 vulnerable households, offering relief to families battling economic hardship.
Championing Innovation and Digital Empowerment
Perhaps his most forward-looking initiative is the Sail Innovation Lab, established in 2022 in Ikorodu and jointly funded with his wife, Mrs. Surat Feyisola Abiru. The hub, managed by Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), provides free digital skills and entrepreneurship training to young Nigerians.
With over 1,900 graduates and partnerships with organisations like MTN, the lab is nurturing a generation of tech-driven innovators. A similar STEM Lab has been built at his alma mater, Government College, Ikorodu, and another is nearing completion in Ibeju-Lekki, with capacity to train 500 youths per cycle.
“Innovation and technology are at the heart of future development,” Abiru said. “We’re equipping young people with the skills to compete globally.”
Legislative Oversight and National Reforms
Abiru continues to play a key role in shaping Nigeria’s economic architecture. He has sponsored motions to investigate Ponzi schemes that have defrauded thousands of Nigerians, and is currently leading reforms of key financial institutions such as the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).
“These reforms are about ensuring that our financial institutions are robust, transparent, and aligned with modern realities,” he noted. “We cannot aspire to be a trillion-dollar economy while relying on laws made decades ago.”
As Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum, Abiru is also a bridge-builder in the often polarised Nigerian legislature, fostering collaboration across regions while maintaining focus on national unity.
A Technocrat in Politics
Abiru is not a “bench warmer” in the Senate — nor an Abuja-based politician detached from his people. His legislative style mirrors his corporate background: strategic, disciplined, and results-oriented.
He often reminds constituents that policymaking is painstaking work requiring consultation, public hearings, and expert input. “Every bill passes through rigorous debate and public participation. That’s how we ensure transparency and accountability,” he explained.
Legacy of Service
From championing legislative reforms to investing in human capital, Senator Tokunbo Abiru exemplifies how technocratic leadership can translate into real impact. His blend of public sector experience and private sector efficiency continues to redefine what it means to serve in the Nigerian Senate.
As Lagos East constituents can attest, Abiru’s story is not just about politics — it’s about purpose-driven governance, innovation, and a vision for inclusive national progress.
