The mayoral chain of the London Borough of Islington now rests on the shoulders of Rosaline Ogunro, a Nigerian-born public servant whose journey to one of the borough's most prominent civic offices has been shaped by years of community involvement, public engagement and local leadership.
Sworn in as Mayor on May 27, 2026, Ogunro assumes the role after serving as councillor for St Peter's and Canalside Ward since May 2022. During that period, she established herself across several areas of council work, contributing to the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee, Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, and the Planning and Licensing Committees. She also served as Deputy Mayor before her election to the borough's highest ceremonial office.
Her path into public life did not begin in British politics.
Before relocating to the United Kingdom, Ogunro worked with Radio Nigeria, building a career in broadcasting and communication. Those early experiences would later prove valuable in roles that required constant engagement with people, communities and public institutions.
In London, she combined professional work with an enduring commitment to community service. She worked in the marketing department of the London Symphony Orchestra as a customer service and office coordinator, while maintaining a longstanding relationship with music itself.
Between 2003 and 2022, Ogunro was a member of the London Symphony Orchestra Community Choir. Music has remained a significant part of her life, and she has released two albums as a singer.
Her work outside the arts has been equally rooted in service. Through the Islington Citizens Advice Bureau, where she serves as a part-time adviser, Ogunro has spent years assisting residents with practical challenges affecting their daily lives. The position has given her direct contact with the concerns of local people and a close understanding of the community she now represents as Mayor.
She also serves on the Board of Trustees of St Luke's Community Centre, having been appointed in May 2022.
For her mayoral year, Ogunro has selected St Luke's Community Centre and Islington Boat Club as her chosen charities.
St Luke's Community Centre supports residents through a range of programmes, activities and services designed to strengthen community ties across generations. Islington Boat Club provides accessible water sports and training opportunities, particularly for young people, older residents and individuals with additional needs, while helping participants develop confidence and life skills.
Speaking after her installation, Ogunro described community service as the driving force behind her public life.
"There is nothing I enjoy more than helping and serving members of our community, and I can't wait to continue doing that as Mayor of Islington," she said.
As a mother of two, she also highlighted the importance of organisations that create opportunities for young people and strengthen local communities.
Her son, Zulu Ogunro, will serve as her mayoral consort during her year in office.
Ogunro succeeds Jason Utitofon Jackson, the British-Nigerian politician who made history in May 2025 when he became the first Nigerian-born Mayor of the London Borough of Islington. Originally from Akwa Ibom State, Jackson moved to the United Kingdom as a teenager and built his reputation through community advocacy, public service and political leadership.
During his tenure, he championed Islington Giving, a coalition that supports grassroots projects across the borough, including initiatives focused on youth employment and mental health.
The transition from Jackson to Ogunro creates a notable moment in Islington's history. Two consecutive mayors born in Nigeria have now led the borough's civic office, reflecting the growing contributions of Nigerians within public institutions across the United Kingdom.
For Ogunro, however, the story is not one of symbolism alone. It is the continuation of a life spent working within organisations dedicated to informing, supporting, educating and connecting people. From broadcasting studios in Nigeria to community organisations and council chambers in London, the thread running through her career has remained remarkably consistent.
The title may be new, but the work is not. And with Rosaline Ogunro's election, another Nigerian story of service, leadership and impact has found its place on the global stage.
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