By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia
REPRESENTING ISLINGTON at hundreds of civic events, chairing full council meetings and championing community causes now form part of Rosaline Ogunro’s public duties after she became the first Nigerian born woman to serve as Mayor of the London Borough of Islington.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that Ogunro, a community advocate, broadcaster and Labour politician who represents the St Peter’s and Canalside ward, was formally sworn in at the council’s annual meeting on 27 May 2026 for the 2026/27 civic year.
Her appointment follows that of fellow Nigerian born councillor Jason Jackson, who served as mayor the previous year and became the first mayor of Nigerian origin in the borough since its creation in 1900.
Their consecutive tenures mark a notable period for the Nigerian diaspora in British local government.
Born in Issele-Uku, Delta State, as the first of seven children, Ogunro moved to the United Kingdom in 2001. She studied for a Diploma in English Law and an LLB Honours degree at the Open University in London before completing a part-time legal practice course at the College of Law while working full-time.
Her career before elected politics spanned broadcasting, community advice and voluntary work. In Nigeria, she worked as a radio announcer with Radio Nigeria.
One widely recounted episode from February 1976 saw her remain on air for hours after armed men overran the studio in the aftermath of the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed, continuing broadcasts amid the crisis.
Her professional journey continued in Britain, where she worked part-time as an adviser at Islington Citizens Advice Bureau and later served in the marketing department of the London Symphony Orchestra as a customer service and office coordinator.
She also sang with the orchestra’s community choir for nearly two decades, from 2003 to 2022.
Beyond public service and broadcasting, Ogunro has maintained a strong connection with the arts. She has released two music albums and lists designing and making clothes, gardening and singing among her hobbies.
Her involvement in community work has also featured prominently in her public life. In May 2022, she was appointed a trustee of St Luke’s Community Centre, the same month she was first elected to Islington Council.
Since entering the council, Ogunro has served on the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee, the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, as well as planning and licensing committees. She previously served as deputy mayor before taking on the borough’s highest civic role.
A mother of two, Ogunro has appointed her son, Zulu Ogunro, as her mayoral consort. Councillor Jilani Chowdhury serves as deputy mayor.
For her mayoral year, Ogunro has chosen St Luke’s Community Centre and Islington Boat Club as her mayoral charities. St Luke’s holds particular significance for her because she learned computing there after arriving in the United Kingdom and has described the centre as a personal source of support.
She has also spoken about the value of sports clubs for young people and families, while her wider role will give her an opportunity to engage with communities across the borough beyond her own ward.
“There is nothing I enjoy more than helping and serving members of our community and I cannot wait to continue doing that as Mayor of Islington.
“Becoming Mayor is the honour of a lifetime, and I’m looking forward to bringing my compassion and hard-working nature to the role,” Ogunro said.
She also noted that the mayoralty would enable her to engage across Islington, meeting people of different ages, backgrounds and walks of life.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) congratulated Ogunro on her appointment.
Its chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the development as a proud moment for Nigeria and a reflection of dedication, excellence and community service, while urging Nigerians in the diaspora to continue distinguishing themselves positively.
Ogunro’s appointment adds another chapter to the presence of Nigerian and wider African diaspora figures in British civic leadership.
Her tenure places community service, civic representation and engagement at the centre of a role that will see her represent Islington at hundreds of events during the 2026/27 civic year.
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