At the young age of 29, Opeyemi Bright has left her imprint in the history books of Barking and Dagenham as the youngest Civic Mayor in the borough’s history. Her rise to this great office follows a deserving seven-year public service career marked by purpose, drive, and community engagement.

Bright started her political career in 2018, being voted in as the youngest Labour councillor in the history of the borough. Since the age of 22 has continued to make significant contribution, driven by a clear vision for young people’s empowerment, social justice, and economic opportunity. A year after being elected on to the council, she was appointed Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee, an early sign of the confidence that her leadership commands.

Opeyemi Bright was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian parents and her upbringing has shaped into a very active practitioner of public service. Her mother, Dr. Councillor Afolasade Bright, was a one-time Civic Mayor of Hackney, whereas her father, Pastor Gbolahan Bright MBE, is a renowned leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. They instilled in her the values of discipline, integrity, and service. These are principles that she upholds even in office.

Professionally, Opeyemi Bright is a Chartered Accountant. After graduating from the University of Westminster in 2017, she started working as an investment banker and later moved into the tech industry, where she worked as a Senior Operations Manager at Uber UK. Her decision to take a year off from her corporate existence to focus on her mayoral responsibilities speaks volumes about her unwavering commitment to public service leadership.

Her win is more than a reflection of her own success, it is an indication of the larger trend of leadership towards inclusivity, diversity, and generation change. At a time when more Nigerians are taking on prominent roles in the global world, Opeyemi Bright is numbered among leaders like Kemi Badenoch, Chi Onwurah, and Uzoma Asagwara as an sign of what is possible when opportunity meets preparation.

Her ascension contradicts youth stereotypes in politics and reminds us that leadership is a function of talents, character, and conviction, not age. For many, Opeyemi Bright’s story proves that young women, especially African women, are able to lead not just at the table but from the top.