Daily lens
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has renewed his call for the conferment of a special status on Lagos State, stressing that such recognition is vital to unlocking Nigeria’s full economic and global potential.
Speaking on Tuesday at the maiden Distinguished Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), themed “Lagos and Nigeria 2030: Projections of a World Power”, the governor argued that Lagos remains central to Nigeria’s growth trajectory and global influence.
“There is no contesting the fact that Lagos is the beating heart of Nigeria, the reason why Nigeria is the regional and continental leader that it is,” Sanwo-Olu said. “Nigeria’s future competitiveness lies in Lagos.”
Daily lns Report:The governor pointed to landmark projects such as the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, Eko Atlantic City, the Coastal Road, the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail, the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge, Lekki International Airport, and the Lagos International Financial Centre as evidence of Lagos’ role as a hub for commerce and finance.
According to him, aligning Nigeria’s national development goals with Lagos’ “energies” would create a transformative synergy capable of propelling the country towards global power status.
Sanwo-Olu also pressed for the creation of state police, noting that it would enable governors to boost personnel strength in response to rising security needs. He reminded the audience that Lagos had long pioneered initiatives at the subnational level, including the Security Trust Fund, tax reforms, traffic management systems, and emergency response services.
He highlighted Lagos’ history of innovation, citing former Governor Bola Tinubu’s creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) as a model of grassroots governance reform.
“Lagos will play a significant role in Nigeria’s full manifestation as a global power,” he affirmed. “From industrial and free trade zones to logistics, infrastructure, financial centres, and 21st-century urban developments, Lagos is already showing leadership.”
The governor also pointed to progress in agriculture, digitisation, transportation, entrepreneurship, and financial innovation, adding that Lagos’ leadership in these areas is pivotal to Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a global economic force.
