Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro is a Nigerian politician. He served as Senator for Lagos State from 2003–2007, and was later appointed High Commissioner to Ghana. He served as the Minister of State for Defence during 2014.
He was born in Lagos and belongs to the Bakare family of Ita-Ado in Isale Eko, Ikare and Ilashe in Amuwo Odofin Local Government of Lagos State, the Obanikoro (Ajayi-Bembe) family of Lagos and Idoluwole (Ojo Local Government of Lagos), and the Eletu-Odibo (Oshobile) family of Isale-Eko, Lagos. Obanikoro attended Saint Patrick Catholic School, Idumagbo, Lagos and Ahmadiyya College (Anwar-ul/Islam College) Agege.
Obanikoro worked briefly as a Clerical Officer at LSHMBS, and at Union Bank as a Clerk before traveling overseas for further studies. While in the US, he attended Texas Southern University where he earned his B.Sc degree in Public Affairs and Master’s Degree in Public Administration (M. P. A).
He served as an intern with Houston adult Probation Department, Houston, Texas. He also served as a social worker and later as the Head of the adolescent unit with Little Flower Children Service (an agency affiliated with New York City Department of Social Service). He is an honorary citizen of Glenarden, Maryland and Little Rock, Arkansas.
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In 1989, he returned to Nigeria and started his political career immediately. Obanikoro was appointed as Caretaker Committee Chairman of Surulere Local Government (National Republican Convention); State Deputy Chairman (NRC). He was later appointed by Governor Otedola’s administration as Director, LASBULK (Lagos State Bulk Purchasing Corporation); and member, Lagos State Football Association. He has served as Delegate to Local Government Congress, State Congress, and National Convention. He has also served as Elected State Secretary, Justice Forum. He was also the Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government. He was a national Executive member, Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) under the military government of General Sani Abacha.
Obanikoro was appointed State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in 1999 and served for four years before he was elected Senator of the Federal republic of Nigeria. He was elected senator for Lagos Central in April 2003, running for the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
He was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo as a member of the 2004 Amirul-Hajj Committee.
In February 2005, Obanikoro was among senators who urged the African Union chairman, President Olusegun Obasanjo, to use military force if necessary to restore democracy in Togo.
As a senator, hee initiated an Urban renewal bill that is designed to give a face-lift to selected cities in Lagos. He set aside funds to help children and women who need financial assistance during surgery. Dozens of Lagosians have benefited from this fund. He is currently in partnership with a US-based NGO (AWHPI) to set up a mammogram centre that will enable women to test for breast cancer for free in Lagos.
In April 2007 Musiliu Obanikoro ran for governor of Lagos State on the PDP ticket, but lost the election to Babatunde Fashola of the Action Congress. In May 2008, He was appointed by President Umaru Yar’Adua as Nigerian High commissioner to Ghana.
