By Oluchi Obiahu
On May 16, 2025, Princess Opeyemi Bright, aged 29, was inaugurated as the youngest mayor in the United Kingdom, taking office as the First Citizen of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. This moment, marks a weighty chapter for youth leadership and the Nigerian diaspora in British politics and leadership.
Born in September 1995 at Homerton Hospital, London, to Nigerian parents Dr. Councillor Afolasade Bright and Pastor Gbolahan Bright MBE, Princess was raised in an environment steeped in public service and faith. Her mother’s tenure as Civic Mayor of Hackney from 2006 to 2007 and her father’s role as a senior minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God shaped her commitment to community leadership.
In 2009, the Bright family relocated to Barking and Dagenham, a borough known for its diversity but also its challenges, including housing affordability and economic disparity. Here, Princess’s connection to her community deepened. Her early years were marked by a personal trial: a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease at 16 in 2011. This chronic condition could have derailed her ambitions, but instead, it forged her empathy, a quality that now define her leadership. “Living with Crohn’s taught me to push through pain and to value every moment,” she shared in a recent interview, a sentiment that underscores her choice of Crohn’s & Colitis UK as one of her mayoral charities.
Her journey
Before entering politics, Princess built a robust corporate career. A chartered accountant, she qualified with the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) in 2021, with experience in investment banking and as a senior strategy and operations manager in the tech sector. Her political career began at 22, elected as a councillor in 2018, making her the youngest at the time. Her professional acumen, blending analytical rigor with strategic vision, earned her respect in high-stakes environments. Yet, her heart remained tethered to her community, a pull that led her to pause her corporate career for a year to serve as mayor. Over seven years, she championed youth empowerment, social inclusion, and economic opportunities, serving as a school governor and board member of Agile Africa, an NGO equipping youth with tech skills.
Her mayoral position was confirmed on March 17, 2025, at the council’s Annual General Meeting, and her inauguration drew widespread attention, denoting diversity and youth representation. “This is nothing short of God’s grace,” she said.
As Civic Mayor, Princess’s role is ceremonial, acting as the borough’s ambassador and First Citizen, a position detailed on the borough’s official site She represents the council at civic events, supports local initiatives, and advocates for community needs, without executive powers. Her duties include honouring traditions, fostering community pride, and engaging with residents, schools, and businesses, as outlined in her inaugural address.
Her vision for Barking and Dagenham, grounded in inclusivity and community service, aims to uplift the borough. She plans to be present in schools, support local businesses, and celebrate community heroes, as shared in her X post: “Over the next year, I’ll be in our schools, with our residents, supporting local businesses, walking our high streets, and celebrating the people and places that make Barking and Dagenham extraordinary” She has chosen Ab Phab Youth Club and Crohn’s & Colitis UK as her mayoral charities, reflecting her personal connection to youth development and health advocacy.
Her battle with Crohn’s disease adds depth, making her advocacy for health charities personal and impactful. Living with Crohn’s disease since her teens, she has navigated pain and uncertainty with grace, transforming her struggle into advocacy. “My illness taught me empathy and endurance,” she reflected, a perspective that informs her compassionate leadership. Her choice to champion Crohn’s & Colitis UK as a mayoral charity is a bold move to raise awareness, particularly in communities where health stigma persists
Her focus aligns with borough challenges, including housing affordability, employment, and poverty, which notes issues like rising rents and benefit dependency. While her role is not executive, she can advocate for policies, leveraging her accounting and tech background to address these issues.
Her appointment is a landmark for representation, challenging stereotypes about youth apathy and gender barriers in politics. At 29, she joins a growing cadre of Nigerian diaspora leaders reshaping global governance, of note are Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Chi Onwurah, a Labour MP, international figures like Canada’s Uzoma Asagwara and U.S. Representative Esther Agbaje.
For women of color, her story is commanding. “Her victory challenges outdated ideas about young people’s role in politics,”. “It shows that leadership has no age limit and that young women can sit at the table and lead it.” Her presence in a historically male-dominated sphere inspires countless women, particularly those from marginalized communities, to pursue leadership roles. “I want every young girl to see herself in me,” she said at a recent community event, her words igniting hope among attendees.
Everyday we are reminded by young stars like princess that leadership is not about age, gender, or circumstance but about vision, courage, and heart. “Together, we’ll share our stories, raise our voices, and keep moving our borough forward,” she vowed.
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 Councilor, but now as your Mayor. 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. Over the next year, I’ll be in our schools, with our residents, supporting local businesses, walking our high streets, and celebrating the people and places that make Barking and Dagenham extraordinary.
Together, we’ll share our stories, raise our voices, and keep moving our borough forward.
God bless Barking and Dagenham.
Her Worshipful Madam Mayor
