Muiz Banire

Banire was born on 6 October 1966 in Olowogbowo, Lagos Island and attended primary and Secondary School in Mushin, Lagos.[4][5] He received his LLB, Masters and Doctorates of Law from the University of Lagos focusing on the Evolving Alternative Legal Framework for Land Management in Nigeria.[6]

Banire served his compulsory Youth Service with the Legal Aid Council and was later attached to Gani Fawehinmi Chambers before he was called to bar in 1989. He established his firm, M.A. Banire and Associates in 1995. He was a Senior Lecturer of Law at the University of Lagos from 1991 till 2010 lecturing in private and Property Law.[7]

He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2015[8] and appointed a Bencher. He was appointed to be a member of the National Judicial Council in 2017.[9]

Muiz Banire was appointed Special adviser to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in 1999 and subsequently named Commissioner of Transportation in the same year which he served as till 2007.[10][11] During his tenure, he created the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA)[12] to combat the state’s growing problem with automotive congestion. He also initiated the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to improve capacity and reliability relating to conventional bus systems.[13]

Under Babatunde Raji Fashola’s administration, he was appointed as Commissioner of Environment and made combatting Lagos flooding through the implantation of statewide drainages a priority and Lagos’ role in combatting the worldwide problem of climate change was actively pursued.[14]

He served as the National Legal Adviser to the former Action Congress of Nigeria and following the creation of the All Progressives Congress, he was elected National Legal Adviser at the National Convention in 2014.[15] He offered to step aside from the latter post in November 2016, following an allegation of bribery of a judge but the offer was rejected by the party.[3][16][17] The judge involved has since been charged with unjust enrichment through solicitation, under false pretences, financial assistance from several Senior Advocates thus vindicating Banire.[18]

Muiz Banire formed the United Action For Change which serves as a pressure group and think tank with the drive to build a society where people are valued and treated equally, enjoy their rights as full citizens.[19]

He is married to Jemilat Olufunmilayo Banire.[20] The couple have four children (Muiz Oluwadamilare Banire, Malik Oluwadamiloju Banire, Mardyat Oluwadamilola Banire, Mariam Oluwadamipe Banire) [1]