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{{for|the Nigerian footballer|Mohammed Lawal (footballer)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} 
{{Infobox officeholder
|name                = Mohammed Alabi Lawal
|honorific_prefix    = [[Rear admiral|Rear Admiral]]
|image               = 
|office1             = Military [[Governor of Ogun State]]
|term_start1         = December 1987
|term_end1           = August 1990
|predecessor1        = [[Raji Alagbe Rasaki]]
|successor1          = [[Oladeinde Joseph]]
|office              = [[Governor of Kwara State]]
|term_start          = 29 May 1999
|term_end            = 29 May 2003
|predecessor         = [[Rasheed Shekoni]]
|successor           = [[Bukola Saraki]]
|birth_date          = 24 January 1946
|birth_place         = [[Ilorin]]<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=140XAQAAIAAJ&q=mohammed+alabi+lawal+born+ogun+state+governor|title=UNIFECS (Obafemi Awolowo University) Encyclopaedia of 2,000 Foremost Nigerians: Featuring 100 outstanding Nigerians of the African International Biographical Order (AIBO) Volume 2 of 2000 foremost Nigerians|author=Olugbemi Fatula|publisher=Afribic|year=2002|isbn=9789783492226}}</ref>
|death_date          = {{death date and age|2006|11|15|1946|1|24|df=y}}
|allegiance          = {{NGR}}
|branch              = {{navy|Nigeria}}
|rank                =[[File:Nigeria-Navy-OF-7.svg|25px]] [[Rear admiral|Rear Admiral]]
|nationality         = Nigerian
}}

'''Mohammed Alabi Lawal''' {{pronunciation|Yo-Mohammed Alabi Lawal.ogg|Yoruba pronunciation|help=no}}; January 24, 1946 – November 15, 2006) was a Nigerian naval officer who was military governor of [[Ogun State]] between December 1987 and August 1990 during the military administration of General [[Ibrahim Babangida]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-06-25|title=All Governors of Ogun State|url=https://www.glimpse.ng/all-governors-of-ogun-state/|access-date=2022-03-29|website=Glimpse Nigeria}}</ref> He was one of the pioneers of the Nigeria Navy Secondary School [[Abeokuta]].The then Navy Captain Mohammed Lawal, invited the Nigerian Navy to consider a location of the defunct St Leo's Teachers' Training College at Ibara Abeokuta (www.nnssab.net)on a hilly Onikolobo site. This premises had been abandoned and merely serve as a route to the Catholic Compound and was also used for administering a newly conceived secondary school in that name. The Nigerian Navy considered the site and found it suitable. After the return to democracy in 1999 he was elected governor of [[Kwara State]], holding office from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003.<ref name=wstate>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Nigeria_federal_states.htm|title=Nigeria States|publisher=World Statesmen|access-date=2010-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lawal, Ex-Kwara Gov. Dies|agency=[[Sahara Reporters]]|date=2006-11-15|url=https://saharareporters.com/2006/11/15/lawal-ex-kwara-gov-dies-pm-news-lagos|access-date=2023-06-12}}</ref>

During the [[1999 Kwara State gubernatorial election]], Lawal was elected governor under the umbrella of the [[All People's Party (Nigeria)|All Peoples Party]] (APP).<ref>{{cite news|date=2015-12-16|title=Remembering Governor Muhammed Lawal|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/remembering-governor-muhammed-lawal/|access-date=2022-03-08|work=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref> He was said to be a protégé of Senator Dr. [[Abubakar Olusola Saraki]]. Saraki later moved to the [[People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)|People's Democratic Party]] (PDP).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200905060036.html|work=[[This Day]]|title=Kwara - Why Saraki Holds the Aces|last=Shittu|first=Hammed|date=2009-05-05|access-date=2010-01-17|via=[[allAfrica]]}}</ref>

Lawal initiated a N250 million libel action against a paper ''The People's Advocate'' based in Ilorin, published by [[Abdulkareem Adisa]] but later withdrew the suit after the two men were reconciled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediarightsagenda.org/MRM%202000/MRM%20Nov.%202000.pdf|publisher=Media Rights Agenda|title=Media Rights Monitor November 2000. Vol 5 No. 11|access-date=2010-01-13}} {{Dead link|date=August 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

In the [[2003 Kwara State gubernatorial election]], he ran for re-election but lost as his previous supporter Abubakar Saraki backed his son [[Bukola Saraki]] as candidate for governor of Kwara state and his daughter [[Gbemisola R. Saraki]] as senator for Kwara State Central in which they were both elected.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2003/apr/01/113.html|title=A Dynasty in Trouble|work=[[Newswatch (Nigeria)|Newswatch]]|date=2003-03-31|last=Ojiabor|first=Favour|access-date=2010-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106140305/https://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2003/apr/01/113.html|archive-date=2011-01-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In October 2006, it was reported that [[Nuhu Ribadu]], chairman of the [[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]] was investigating Lawal for alleged diversion of funds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/nigeria/11002192051.htm|title=Closing In On Corrupt Governors|last=Mabayoje|first=Alex|date=2006-10-02|work=Newswatch|access-date=2010-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727105049/http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/nigeria/11002192051.htm|archive-date=2011-07-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Lawal died in a [[London]] hospital after a brief illness in November 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=63631|work=This Day|title=Lawal: The Final Berth...|date=2006-11-19|access-date=2010-01-17}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-24|title=Late Admiral Mohammed Alabi Lawal's Posthumous Award; An Award Well Deserved|url=https://theinformant247.com/late-admiral-mohammed-alabi-lawals-posthumous-award-an-award-well-deserved/|access-date=2022-03-29|website=The Informant247S}}</ref>

==Administration==
Alhaji Mohammed A. Lawal, was a democratically elected politician and a former military officer. He served as the seventeenth Chief Executive of Kwara State from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003, representing the [[All Nigeria Peoples Party|All Nigeria People's Party]] (ANP). Lawal's administration was marked by his swift and precise approach, reminiscent of his military background, in tackling various socio-economic challenges. One of Lawal's notable achievements was the implementation of a comprehensive road development and rehabilitation program. Numerous roads in Ilorin, as well as other major towns and villages across the state, were resurfaced under this initiative. Recognizing the significance of mass transit for economic growth, Lawal granted autonomy and self-accounting status to the [[Kwara State]] Transport Corporation (Kwara Express). To bolster the corporation's fleet, his administration purchased 15 new air-conditioned buses.

Healthcare Sector, Lawal's government procured and distributed medical and non-medical equipment worth N500 million to healthcare institutions. This investment aimed to ensure effective and efficient healthcare delivery throughout the state. The improvement of the Water Supply Scheme and water installations that serviced approximately 180 communities also received substantial resources. To alleviate the acute shortage of residential accommodation in [[Ilorin]], Lawal's administration initiated the construction of 150 two-bedroom houses in Irewole Ilorin at a cost of N180 million. Additionally, they reconstructed and completed the previously abandoned Woman's Development Centre along Ajase-Ipo Road, amounting to a cost of N36 million. Recognizing the importance of communication with the population, Lawal prioritized enhancing logistical support for the Herald newspaper. This effort led to an increased production frequency, from twice to three times a week. Furthermore, his administration completed the FM stereo station in the Apata Yakuba area of Ilorin.

Lawal's administration introduced several other improvements during his tenure. These included the distribution of tractors to all 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) at a 40% subsidy, the construction of 193 prototype [[clinic]]s, and the launch of the state's Poverty Alleviation Programme. Additionally, all dilapidated structures in the state's health institute were rebuilt.<ref>[https://abubakarbukolasaraki.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Part-Two.pdf Part Two] abubakarbukolasaraki.com {{Dead link|date=August 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{OgunStateGovernors}}
{{Nigeria Babangida Governors}}
{{KwaraStateGovernors}}
{{Nigerian state governors 1999-2003 term}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawal, Mohammed}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:2006 deaths]]
[[Category:All Nigeria Peoples Party politicians]]
[[Category:Governors of Ogun State]]
[[Category:Governors of Kwara State]]
[[Category:Yoruba politicians]]
[[Category:Yoruba military personnel]]
[[Category:People from Ilorin]]