In a significant breakthrough for youth leadership and the Nigerian diaspora, Princess Opeyemi Bright has been sworn in as the youngest Mayor in the United Kingdom at the age of 29.
Her inauguration as the First Citizen of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham took place on Friday, May 16, 2025, marking a proud moment for both her community and the wider Nigerian diaspora.
Bright, who was born in the UK to Nigerian parents, has been widely celebrated for her commitment to public service and her trailblazing political career.
“This is nothing short of God’s grace,” Princess Bright said at the swearing-in ceremony.
“I’m proud to serve my borough, and as a proud Nigerian, I will represent my heritage with humility and excellence. May this journey inspire others to lead, serve, and rise.”
Her political journey began at just 22 when she was elected as a councillor. Over the past seven years, she has been a strong advocate for youth empowerment, social inclusion, and economic development in her local government area.
Bright comes from a family deeply involved in public service. Her mother, Dr. Councillor Afolasade Bright, previously held the position of Civic Mayor of Hackney (2006–2007), while her father, Pastor Gbolahan Bright MBE, is a senior minister with the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Her emergence as mayor underscores the rising influence of Nigerians in global political spaces. From UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, to Labour MP Chi Onwurah, and extending to North America with leaders like Canadian Minister Uzoma Asagwara and Minnesota’s Esther Agbaje in the U.S., Nigerian-born individuals are making notable contributions to governance around the world.
Bright’s achievement defies conventional narratives about young people’s disengagement in politics and highlights the vital roles women and immigrants are playing in leadership today. Her rise is also seen as a powerful reinforcement of Nigeria’s soft power on the global stage.
For many, her story serves as a motivating example of what young Nigerians can achieve with the right support systems and values.
Her election also brings a broader message for Nigerian policymakers—to recognize and harness the potential of the diaspora in driving national development. Encouraging youth leadership and building strategic global partnerships with diaspora communities could unlock new opportunities for growth back home
