Opeyemi Bright, a British citizen with Nigerian heritage, has made history as the youngest person to be appointed mayor of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham at the age of 29.
Her appointment was officially confirmed in April, and she was formally inaugurated during a ceremony held on Friday.
Bright’s political journey began in 2018 when she was elected as a councillor at just 22 years old—also the youngest to have ever served in that capacity within the borough. She has also held roles as a school governor and as a board member of Agile Africa, a non-profit focused on equipping young people with technological skills.
Born to Nigerian parents, Afolasade and Gbolahan Bright, Opeyemi comes from a family involved in both civic leadership and community service. Her mother, Afolasade, was previously the civic mayor of Hackney in 2006 and currently serves on Barking and Dagenham’s cabinet, overseeing employment, skills, and aspiration. Her father is a senior pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
In her inaugural speech, Bright emphasized her dedication to community service and the values of unity and tradition.
“I believe in the power of community, the importance of tradition, and the need to inspire pride in the place we all call home,” she said. “As Civic Mayor, I am committed to being a voice that uplifts our borough—honouring local heroes, supporting charities, and building stronger ties with residents, schools, and businesses.”
She expressed that holding the position is both an honor and a responsibility, one that allows her to represent the hopes and values of the people in her borough.
The civic mayor role is one of the most longstanding and symbolic positions in the borough, focused on preserving its cultural identity, promoting local causes, and strengthening civic pride. According to the Barking and Dagenham council, the mayor also serves as a representative of the borough at various community events and initiatives.
Bright joins a growing list of UK political figures with Nigerian roots, such as Kemi Badenoch, Chi Onwurah, Kate Osamor, Taiwo Owatemi, Florence Eshalomi, and Bayo Alaba.
Beyond her official duties, Bright enjoys cooking, teaching, content creation, and organizing career development webinars for young people in Nigeria. She describes her leadership journey as one guided by grace and driven by a strong desire to give back.
