PIC: L-R: Representative of Oba of Lagos, Bajulaye of Lagos, Prince Ayodele Oyekan; Royal Staff Bearers; Former Lagos State Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Mrs. Muyibat Wonuola Folami; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; Former Minister of Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), and President, IBILE Eko Summit Foundation, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN) at the General Assembly of Indigenous Associations in Lagos State, hosted by the IBILE Eko Summit Foundation, held at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on Wednesday.
By Our Reporter
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated that effective urbanisation in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, is crucial for unlocking economic prosperity, improving connectivity, and fostering the empowerment of indigenous communities.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the declaration on Wednesday at the General Assembly of Indigenous Associations in Lagos State, hosted by the IBILE Eko Summit Foundation, themed: "Addressing Urbanization and Urban Challenges of Lagos State," held at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised that urbanisation is not the enemy of indigenous identity, but must be guided by a government that sees, hears, and plans with the people.
According to the governor, indigenous communities must remain central to Lagos’ development agenda, where every planning decision, infrastructure project, and policy must reflect their voices.
Governor Sanwo-Olu alluded that rapid urbanisation had brought opportunities and growth, stressing that this growth had also strained infrastructures in the communities across the state, with the government massively investing in infrastructure and amenities that enhanced the well-being and living standard of Lagosians.
Speaking further, he said that his administration in the past seven years had pursued inclusive development across all five IBILE divisions through major investments in infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, housing, and economic development.
The governor cited the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge and the operational Red Line Rail in Ikeja; the Badagry road network, a Mother and Child Centre and housing schemes; the Imota Rice Mill in Ikorodu, now the largest in Africa; the reconstruction of Massey Children’s Hospital and the J.K. Randle Centre on Lagos Island; and the rehabilitation of the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor alongside new health facilities and jetties in Epe, among others.
Reaffirming Lagos’ position as one of the fastest-growing cities in the world with a population exceeding 20 million, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that, while the state remainsy Africa’s most dynamic urban economy, contributing nearly a third of Nigeria’s GDP and attracting global investment, unmanaged growth continued to place pressure on infrastructure and traditional livelihoods.
He warned that without deliberate planning, urbanisation could deepen inequalities, especially in indigenous and waterfront communities that had long existed before the city’s rapid expansion.
In his keynote address, themed: "Urban Subnational Challenges: Leadership, Policy Reform and Governance," former Minister of Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), called for urgent reforms in key sectors such as housing and transportation as part of a more structured and inclusive approach to managing the rapid urbanisation of Lagos.
Fashola, who is also former governor of Lagos State, described Lagos as a historic homestead with a rich cultural identity that had shaped its emergence as a major economic hub, noting that while the state continues to attract opportunities and global attention, its uniqueness must be protected.
He urged key ministries, including Transportation, Budget and Planning, Housing, and Environment, to engage more actively with stakeholders by presenting clear plans, challenges, and expectations.
Addressing infrastructure and planning challenges, the former minister underscored the importance of reliable data for effective governance, advocating for expanding initiatives such as the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRA) to improve identity management and service delivery.
He further called for renewed investment in mass transit systems and the development of housing along emerging rail corridors.
In his welcome address, President, IBILE Eko Summit Foundation, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), stated that the forum was designed to strengthen unity among indigenous groups and address challenges affecting their identity and development.
He added that the summit aimed to promote inclusion by creating a platform where indigenous voices, experiences, and expertise can contribute meaningfully to the development of Lagos State.
Speaking further, the IBILE Eko Summit Foundation president stressed the importance of unity and cultural identity, describing it as a key strength for driving sustainable development and greater global recognition of Lagos and its people.
He further emphasized the need to align development with global standards such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas like housing, transportation, environmental sustainability, and waste management.
In his goodwill message, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akinolu, represented by the Bajulaye of Lagos, Prince Ayodele Oyekan, commended the IBILE Eko Summit Foundation for its unwavering commitment to the continuous development of indigenous people in Lagos.
The monarch noted that the Council of Obas in Lagos places high importance on the development of their communities, adding that the Lagos State Government had consistently prioritized the growth and upliftment of all IBILE divisions in the state.
Oba Akinolu added that as traditional rulers in Lagos, they were committed to ensuring that indigenous people have a voice in community development and governance, emphasizing that Lagos remained prepared for urbanisation, youth empowerment, sustainable development, and social inclusion.
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