Princess Opeyemi Bright made history on May 16, 2025, when she was sworn in as the youngest-ever Civic Mayor of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. At just 29 years old, she is now the borough’s First Citizen and a powerful voice for her community.
Youngest Mayor with a Strong Vision for Barking and Dagenham
Bright won the mayoral election in March, showing the trust her community places in her leadership. Born in the UK to Nigerian parents, she has been involved in local politics since she was 22. At that young age, she became the borough’s youngest Labour councillor, proving her commitment to public service early on.
She told the Daily Post during her swearing-in, “This is nothing short of God’s grace. I’m proud to serve my borough, and as a proud Nigerian, I will represent my heritage with humility and excellence.” Bright hopes her journey will inspire others to lead, serve, and rise.
A Family Legacy of Service and Leadership
Princess Bright’s passion for leadership runs in her family. Her mother, Dr. Councillor Afolasade Bright, served as Hackney’s Civic Mayor from 2006 to 2007. Her father, Pastor Gbolahan Bright, MBE, is a respected minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Her strong family support and role models helped shape her path. Bright is a Chartered Accountant who graduated from the University of Westminster in 2017. She started her career in investment banking before moving into the tech sector as a Senior Operations Manager for Uber UK. In 2025, she decided to take a year off her corporate career to focus fully on serving as mayor.
Deep Commitment to Community Growth and Youth Empowerment
Bright is passionate about giving back to the borough that raised her. She shared on Instagram, “At just 29, I’ve decided to take a year out of my corporate career to give back to the Borough that raised me – not just as a Councillor, but now as your Mayor.”
She views her mayoral role as more than a title. “Being Mayor is a promise to be present, visible, and to uplift every corner of our Borough,” she said. Bright plans to support local schools, businesses, and high streets, aiming to celebrate the people and places that make Barking and Dagenham special.
Part of a Larger Nigerian Global Leadership Movement
Princess Bright’s success is part of a wider story of Nigerians making global political strides. Nigerians in diaspora, such as Uzoma Asagwara in Canada, Esther Agbaje in the U.S., Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and Labour MP Chi Onwurah, continue to break barriers and inspire change in leadership roles worldwide.
Bright’s rise shows the power of dedication, heritage, and community spirit in shaping new leaders.
Leave a Reply