Princess Opeyemi Bright, the youngest mayor in the United Kingdom, has been sworn in after winning the mayoral election in March. After her inauguration on Friday, May 16, 2025, the 29-year-old is now officially recognized as First Citizen of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Bright, who was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian parents, entered politics when she was elected as a councillor for the first time at the age of 22, becoming the Borough’s youngest-ever Labour councillor. She has established herself during the past seven years as a fervent supporter of economic opportunity, social inclusion, and youth empowerment.
“This is nothing short of God’s grace,” she declared during her swearing-in ceremony, according to the Daily Post. “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.”
Being elected to this position is not surprising, considering that her mother, Dr. Councillor Afolasade Bright, was Hackney’s Civic Mayor from 2006 to 2007.
Pastor Gbolahan Bright, MBE, her father, is a well-respected minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Bright, a Chartered Accountant who started her career in investment banking, graduated from Westminster in 2017. She branched into the technology industry in 2021 and worked as a Senior Operations Manager for Uber UK before leaving to concentrate on becoming a mayor.
Bright explained why she decided to take up the leadership role on Instagram. She posted, “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 added, “Barking and Dagenham is my home, my heart, and my community. I’m deeply honoured to serve it. Being Mayor is more than a title – it’s a promise to be present, visible, and to uplift every corner of our Borough.”
The young pacesetter reaffirmed her dedication to her community, including supporting local businesses and schools, “walking our high streets, and celebrating the people and places that make Barking and Dagenham extraordinary.”
Princess Bright’s rise is connected to a larger trend of Nigerians making progress globally in politics.
Nigerians living abroad, such as Uzoma Asagwara in Canada and Esther Agbaje in the U.S. as well as Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and Labour MP Chi Onwurah, continue to shatter barriers and change the face of leadership.