During the military era under Maj.Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, 1985-1993, Alhaja Okunnu was made the deputy governor of Lagos state.

Alhaja as she is fondly called was born eighty- three years ago. She became deputy-governor in 1990 up till 1992 at the age of fifty-one to fifty-three .

Alhaja is alumnus of two prestigious schools in Lagos state, Nigeria. Methodist Girls’ High School and Queen’s College both in Yaba.

A graduate of Geography from the University of Lagos and another PGD in education. She soon began work as an assistant lecturer in the same school. For three years.

She later joined Lagos state service, stayed ten years and moved on to the Federal Government service till she retired.

She and Pamela Sadauki are the first ever female deputy governors in Nigeria. They were appointed at the same time for the same duration.