Funky Banjoko

Funky Banjoko is a Councilwoman of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), City of Fort McMurray, a Supply Chain Professional of over 30 years. She is a mother of two amazing adults who she raised all by herself, with the help of God and her church community.

Councilor Funky obtained her first degree from the University of Jos, Nigeria in 1989 and proceeded to specialize in supply chain management at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Stamford, England and completed MCIPS in 1997. She is a Certified Supply Chain Management Professional of Canada.

Councilor Funky moved to Fort McMurray, working in Nexen, then Syncrude before transitioning to work off-site. Upon moving to McMurray she began volunteering actively in the community, within the Nigerian community and then turning to other opportunities in the RMWB like serving on the Communities in Bloom Committee and volunteering at the Soup kitchen run through the Salvation Army.

Her decade-long investment in giving back to the community taught her a lot, and she began to notice gaps in leadership. She was not seeing herself represented and wanted to step up and be a representative for all, as a single, working-class mother, immigrant, and a working professional. Her life experiences help her understand the impacts that bad governance has on residents, and she is committed to standing strong to ensure that good governance becomes the status quo in our region.

Councilor Funky still finds time to volunteer personally. Locally, she sits on the board of the United Way Fort McMurray, Wood Buffalo Regional Library, and RCCG The Lord's Heritage. Provincially, she also serves on the boards of Ruth House (Calgary), and the African Caribbean Heritage Alliance (Edmonton). In September 2024, she initiated Funky Girls Foundation in her hometown in Nigeria to support girls' and women's education.

This initiative honors her mother's legacy as a respected educator and local leader who believed in the potential that we all carry and took steps to support those without social and economic privileges.

On October 19th, 2021, Funky made history by becoming the first Black person to be elected into office, receiving the most votes of all 24 great candidates. Funky describes her faith and belief in God as the source of her strength and has worked tirelessly over 4 years to be a counselor.

As a Councilor, Funky is currently representing the RMWB on various advisory committees, listening and taking action based on what she hears from those residents who have dedicated their time to advocating for specific changes. Currently, she is the Cllr. tasked with sitting on the downtown revitalization and transport advisory committees.