Opeyemi Bright, a proud British citizen of Nigerian descent, has shattered records and glass ceilings by becoming the youngest civic mayor in UK history. At just 29, Bright was inaugurated as the Civic Mayor of Barking and Dagenham on May 16, 2025, stepping into the history books with purpose and pride.
Born to a family steeped in public service—her mother, Dr. Afolasade Bright, once served as Civic Mayor of Hackney, and her father, Pastor Gbolahan Bright MBE, is a senior minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God—Opeyemi has carried the torch of community leadership from an early age. She previously made headlines as the youngest councillor for the borough at age 22.
Bright’s tenure is set to be marked by her fierce advocacy for youth empowerment, diversity, and community development. In her inaugural address, she pledged to “strengthen local pride, celebrate diversity, and connect more deeply with residents,” promising a mayoralty rooted in inclusion and inspiration.
Her achievement shines as a beacon for young people, women, and minorities across the UK and beyond, underscoring the rising influence of the Nigerian diaspora in global leadership—a league that now includes Kemi Badenoch, Chi Onwurah, Uzoma Asagwara, and Esther Agbaje. Opeyemi Bright’s election is a clear symbol of progress, heralding a new era of representation and unity for Barking and Dagenham and the UK at large.