British-Nigerian Princess Bright becomes UK’s youngest mayor
In a landmark moment, Princess Opeyemi Bright, a 29-year-old British-Nigerian, was inaugurated as the youngest mayor in the United Kingdom on May 16. Sworn in as the First Citizen of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Bright’s historic appointment marks a significant milestone for youth representation, and the growing influence of Nigerians in British politics.
Born in the UK to Nigerian parents, Dr. Afolasade Bright and Pastor Gbolahan Bright MBE, Princess Opeyemi Bright began her political journey at the age of 22, when she was elected as a councillor for Barking and Dagenham in 2018, becoming the youngest to hold that position in the borough’s history.
A chartered accountant and former senior strategy and operations manager in the tech sector, Bright has spent the last seven years championing youth empowerment, social inclusion, and economic opportunities.
Her dedication to public service is deeply rooted in her family’s legacy. Her mother served as Civic Mayor of Hackney from 2006 to 2007, and her father is a senior minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Bright’s appointment as mayor was confirmed on March 17, at the council’s Annual General Meeting, with her official inauguration taking place at Barking Town Hall.
In her acceptance speech, she expressed profound gratitude, stating, “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. May this journey inspire others to lead, serve, and rise.”
Her vision for the borough centres on growing community pride, honouring local heroes, supporting charities, and building stronger connections with residents, schools, and businesses.
As Civic Mayor, Bright serves as an ambassador for Barking and Dagenham, a borough known for its rich heritage and vibrant diversity. The role, one of the oldest in the borough, involves celebrating its values, promoting local initiatives, and strengthening community bonds.
Bright’s prior experience as a councillor, chair of the Audit and Standards Committee since 2019, and board member of Agile Africa, an NGO equipping young Africans with tech skills, has equipped her with the tools to lead effectively. She is also a school governor and a passionate mentor, regularly hosting career webinars for Nigerian students.
Bright’s achievement adds to the growing list of Nigerians making strides in global politics, including Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Labour MP Chi Onwurah, and Canadian Minister Uzoma Asagwara.
Beyond politics, Bright is known for her multifaceted interests, including cooking, teaching, and content creation. She describes herself as “guided by grace” and has earned accolades such as the Universal Peace Federation’s Young Achiever Award and the Young Politician of the Year award at the Nigerian High Commission.
Written by Abeeb Lekan Sodiq.
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He’s as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
