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  • How Lagos can contribute to making Nigeria a world power, by Sanwo-Olu

    How Lagos can contribute to making Nigeria a world power, by Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday said that the Centre of Excellence is critical to making Nigeria a world power in the forseeable futute.

    He described the state as the country’s laboratory for growth, innovation and reforms, adding that Nigeria is today a regional and continental power because Lagos is its ‘beating heart.’

    Sanwo-Olu said “Nigeria’s capacity to convert every remaining ounce of raw potentials into the hard currency of world power and global influence will depend, to a large extent, on Lagos.”

    He called for a special status for Lagos, stressing that the country can scale up its growth and development by treating the state as a pivotal leverage that can help unleash collective national potential.

    Sanwo-Olu delivered the maiden Distinguished Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, in Lagos titled: ‘Lagos and Nigeria 2030: Projections of a World Power.’

    At the event chaired by Dr. Dere Awosika, the NIIA Director-General, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, discosed that the governor has endowed the ‘Sanwo-Olu Foreign Policy School’ at the institute.

    At the lecture were Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, wife of the governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Prince Julius Adeluyi-Adelusi, Lagos State Chief Judge Kashim Alogba, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Lagos Police Commissioner Dare Jimoh, Prof. Femi Otubanjo, Alhaji Mutiu Are, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Abiodun Mafe, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Dr. Muritala Seriki, Information and Strategy Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso, Special Adviser Gboyega Akosile, and eminent journalist Sam Omatseye. 

    Noting that the future of the nation’s economic competitiveness lies in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu alluded to the economic realities and potentials that mske the former federal capital a factor in national growth. 

    These include the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, Eko Atlantic City, the Coastal Road, Badagry-Sokoto Road, Lagos-Ibadan Standard Guage Rail, the Proposed 4th Mainland Bridge, and the Lekki International Financial Centre, which make Lagos a hub of global commerce and finance. 

    The governor said the state has set the pace in sub-national security trust fund, sub-national leadership in tax reform, and traffic management emergency response, which are being replicated in other states.

    He added, “Nigeria’s economic ambitions will be enabled by industrial and free trade zones, logistics infrastructure, financial centres and 21st century urban developments – all areas which Lagos is showing leadership.”

    The governor, who also highlighted areas of giant strides which have made Lagos a model, stressed that “what we must now do is to convert those individual energies into a collective tsunami of cultural and national self-confidence that will enable us break through inertia and dysfunction, and rise to take our place in the comity of nations.”

    Sanwo-Olu hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring the goal of making Nigeia a one trillion naira economy by 2030, the national commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement that would halt gas flaring and generation of electricity through renewable sources. 

    He said his government has also unfolded the ‘Lagos State Development Plan 2052, which is a 30-year plan launched in 2022, articulating the goal of Africa’s Model Mega City and a Global Economic and Financial Hub that is safe, secure and productive.

    He said, “The Lagos 30-Year Plan is anchored on four pillars – thriving economy, modern infrastructure, human-centric city and effective governsnce. 

    To the governor, Nigeria can actually become a global power in economy, diplomacy, technology, culture, defence, demography, resources and endowment. 

    Alluding to human capital development, Sanwo-Olu said “our people are our most important assets, above our oil and gas, marine and firest wealth.

    He stressed, “Today, we already have one of the largest populations of young people in the world – an estimated one hundred million people under the age of 20 – making it impossible to envision the workforce of the 21st century without fully accounting for Nigeria. This is sn extraordinary asset, but only if properly harnesed.”

    Sanwo-Olu said the country should try to unlock its powers, particularly where it is lagging behind. 

    He said the country should fully embrace technology and make itself felt in the areas of cutting-edge technologies, including cloud computing and artificial intelligence, adding that it should become priducers instead of being consumers of foreign technology. 

    Hailing President Tinubu for providing the right leadership, he noted that he is resetting the very foundations of the economy through policy, legislation and diplomacy. 

    Peeping into the future, Sanwo-Olu said: “I can picture what 2030 looks like – a trillion dollar national economy, winning the war against poverty and crime, ruling the workd with its arts, culture, technology and sports, powered by the jewel that is Lagos – a model megacity for the 21st century.”

  • Lagos new legal year begins September 22

    Lagos new legal year begins September 22

    The Lagos State Judiciary has unveiled the programme of activities to mark the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year.

    According to the schedule, the new legal year celebrations will commence with  thanksgiving services to be held simultaneously on Monday, September 22, 2025  at the Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos, and the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.

    The thanksgiving services are designed to usher in the new legal year with prayers and gratitude, while seeking divine direction for the judiciary in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

    As part of the activities, the Judiciary will also host the 2025/2026 legal year summit on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at The Shell Zenith Bank Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

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    The summit will provide a platform for robust engagement among judges, lawyers, policymakers, and stakeholders on emerging issues in the administration of justice.

    The Lagos State Judiciary emphasised that the annual event reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the rule of law, ensuring access to justice, and sustaining Lagos State’s position as a model of judicial excellence in Nigeria.

    Members of the public, legal practitioners, and invited stakeholders are encouraged to participate fully in the activities.

  • Top 10 largest markets to buy foodstuff in Lagos

    Top 10 largest markets to buy foodstuff in Lagos

    Feeding a city of more than 17 million people is a massive undertaking, but Lagos manages it through a vast network of food markets that keep grains, vegetables, fish, meat, and other staples flowing daily. 

    These markets are the lifeblood of the city’s food economy—sustaining households, powering wholesale and retail trade, and shaping the cost of living in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described Lagos as the nation’s largest food market, consuming over 50 percent of all food traded across the South-West. 

    He valued the state’s food economy at ₦16.14 trillion, ranking it among the most critical drivers of local commerce.

    According to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, daily transactions in Lagos markets are worth about ₦9 billion, with annual figures topping ₦5 trillion. 

    The numbers underscore the scale of activity, as traders from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries converge on Lagos each day to meet its enormous food demand.

    Here is a list of 10 largest markets to buy foodstuff in Lagos:

    1. Mile 12 Market

    Mile 12 is Lagos’s biggest wholesale hub for perishable produce, notably vegetables. Every morning, long trailers roll in from places like Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, and Benue, laden with tomatoes, onions, peppers, carrots, and yams. The market supplies over 60% of Lagos’s vegetable consumption, making it the single most important fresh-produce wholesale center in the state. Mile 12 lies in Kosofe Local Government Area, along Ikorodu Road.

    2. Oyingbo Market

    Oyingbo, on the mainland near Ebute Metta, is ideally located for both Island and Mainland shoppers. One of Lagos’s oldest trading hubs, it was reconstructed in 2015 as a multi-storey complex under government modernization schemes. Frozen fish—both imported (from Europe and Asia) and locally smoked—dominate the market, and prices set here often influence fish sales across Lagos. Oyingbo is also a busy center for meat, fruits, and household goods, making it a one-stop shop for many consumer needs.

    3. Mushin Markets

    Mushin hosts some of Lagos’s most bustling and varied markets, including traditional open-air spaces and modern trading facilities. The main components are Ajino (a hub for fresh produce, peppers, onions and other perishables brought in by traders from the North and West); Ojuwoye (focused on provisions, grains and general foodstuff); Daleko (famous for rice, both imported and locally milled, traded in massive quantities); and the Fresh Food Agro-Hub at Idi-Oro (a 2023-launched facility with dedicated sections for meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables, as well as storage infrastructure). The Agro-Hub logged ₦2.495 billion in transactions in its first year, accommodated 348 vendors, and attracted over 75,000 buyers—signalling its rapid rise as a structured food trading centre.

    4. Makoko Seafood Market

    Situated in the waterfront community of Makoko, Yaba, this lagoon-edge market thrives on its fishing roots. Canoes deliver daily catches straight to the stalls. As one of Lagos’s oldest fishing settlements, Makoko has evolved over time into a commercial fishing hub that supplies the city. The market is known for its variety of seafood—fresh fish, crabs, prawns, oysters, snails, and periwinkles.

    5. Oluwo Fish Market (Epe Fish Market)

    Located in Epe, a coastal town with a long fishing heritage, Oluwo Fish Market has grown into a major seafood trading centre in Nigeria. Fishing has long defined Epe, and what started as community-based exchange has grown into large-scale trade, drawing buyers from across the South West. The market offers a broad array of seafood, including some exotic items, and is largely operated by women—many of whom inherited the trade from earlier generations—making it both a commercial and communal institution.

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    6. Ounje Eko Food Markets

    Launched on March 17, 2024, Ounje Eko is a government-run initiative introduced to ease food inflation pressures in Lagos. Temporary markets were set up across all 57 local government and development council areas to sell staple foods at discounted prices (roughly 25% off), including rice, beans, gari, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and peppers. This initiative came against a backdrop of food inflation reaching 40.9%, which had made essential goods difficult for many families to afford. Though the program was strong in its first phase, Phase II (which began on September 1, 2024) was temporarily paused in October to address operational hitches, with a resumption date later announced.

    7. Ijora Fish Market

    Near Apapa Sea Port and the PHCN Ijora area, Ijora Fish Market is one of Lagos’s main seafood trading hubs. According to traders, most fish arrive daily, either directly from the sea or in live tanks to retain freshness. The most prized fish are those still alive—favoured for their superior freshness. Traders here deal in tilapia, catfish, mackerel, barracuda, prawns, crabs, lobsters, and other shellfish, negotiating prices with skill honed over many years.

    8. Ile-Epo Market (Oja Oba)

    Ile-Epo, also known as Oja Oba, is situated in Abule Egba along the Old Abeokuta Expressway. Its location made it a natural transit point for traders moving goods between Ogun and Lagos, and, over time, it has grown into a major food trade hub. Ile-Epo is especially noted for staples like yam, rice, and garri, which come in from various states to meet Lagos’s growing demand. The market mixes wholesale and retail activity—allowing large-scale trade while making staples easily available to local buyers.

    9. Oko-Oba Abattoir, Agege

    Located in Agege, the Oko-Oba Abattoir Market is a critical part of Lagos’s meat supply chain, connecting livestock suppliers with butchers, restaurants, and households. Buyers and sellers gather to trade cows, sheep, goats, and other livestock, with transactions reflecting the day’s demand. The market is divided into zones for live animals, slaughtering, and processed meat, helping to organize the flow despite the constant bustle. Slaughtering is often done in view of buyers, offering transparency and confidence in meat quality. Freshly cut beef, goat, and mutton are bundled and then distributed to smaller markets, butcher shops, and restaurants across Lagos.

    10. Sabo Market

    Sabo Market in Ikorodu is strategically located along the Ikorodu-Epe Road, with multiple entry points via Epe-Itokin Road and Adeniran Ogunsanya Road—an arrangement that helps ease movement of goods in spite of heavy traffic. A large general-purpose market, Sabo serves Ikorodu and surrounding towns. It sells foodstuffs (fresh and perishable), farm produce, livestock, frozen foods, and dry goods such as rice and beans. Beyond food, the market also hosts traders dealing in textiles, kitchenware, electronics, and second-hand clothing, blending open-air stalls with more structured shops to serve a wide range of buyers.

  • Lagos projects N170bn for social protection in 2026

    Lagos projects N170bn for social protection in 2026

    …As Governor Sanwo-Olu wins champion of compassion award

    The Lagos State Government has hinted of plans to increase its budgetary allocation for social protection intervention from N130 billion in 2025 to N170 billion in 2026, thus reiterating its commitment to the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.

    Giving this hint was Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Sanwo-Olu who spoke at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement themed “Advancing Social Protection through the National Social Register: A Resilient Tool for a Resilient Nigeria,” held in Lagos, recently, said the theme deeply resonates with the state’s vision of a Nigeria where resilience is built on a system that ensures dignity, opportunities and protection for everyone.

    Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube, emphasised that the engagement is not about statistics but about the collective responsibility to ensure no citizen is left behind.

    According to him, Lagos has domesticated the operations of the NSR under the supervision of the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, to ensure all residents, particularly the vulnerable, are captured.

    “Governor Sanwo-Olu remains dedicated to improving the lives of Lagosians, especially the most vulnerable. The state has strengthened the NSR to guarantee that no one is left behind in social protection programmes,” Egube said.

    “I think, generally speaking, we always understand how we are in a society that’s mutually dependent on one another. What that means for us in Lagos is that we must act together. We must put our hands together to lead Lagos forward. It’s a collaboration between the government and the private sector and everybody is actually putting their hands together. And it’s the reason why, even though we have about 25 million people, the state continues to thrive. It’s the reason the agenda for the second term of the government was THEME++. That even though social protection was embedded in it in the first term, we wanted to actually emphasise it in the second term. It’s about our people. It’s about consideration for all people. It’s about not leaving anyone behind. It’s about social inclusion and integration.

    “But there are deliberate steps which we are taking in selecting those who are required to be supported all the time. You can see the attendance all the way to the Minister for Finance. About four governors or five governors were here in person or represented. It shows the keenness of which we look at the protection which Mr. President is trying to drive. Mr. President, in putting two major policies on the table for the well-being of the economic situation in Nigeria, is also stimulating the outcome, the fallout of it. Because while we have very strong economic initiatives in those policies, they are setting fallouts in the humanitarian side that we must also take into account for.”

    Speaking on the sidelines of the stakeholders’ engagement interface, Egube shared interesting insights on the social protection proposition by the state government. “Like I said during Mr. Governor’s speech, it’s decentralised in Lagos, but centrally coordinated by the Social Protection Coordinating Department under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget. But there are over 22 agencies that are intervening on the streets on the social protection side. The idea is that we are very close to the people and we are intervening in different ways. But that entire intervention is coordinated also centrally for impact and for accuracy and validity. So you see the Ministry of Women Affairs, you see the Ministry of Youths, you see the Office of the SDGs, you see the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, you see a variety of them, the Ministry of Wealth Creation and so on and so forth.

    “As I mentioned, we have 22 of them because it’s important that we are with our people. Governance is really about the people eventually. We might talk about economic growth in GDP terms, but the well-being of our people is crucial to us and we must monitor it all the way to the ground.”

    Mr. Egube, who also received the Champion of Care Award for Social Protection Implementation in Nigeria on behalf of the governor, commended President Bola Tinubu for repositioning the NSR as a credible platform for delivering interventions.

    Also speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office, Ms. Funmi Olotu, revealed that the NSR has become one of the largest social protection databases globally, with over 19 million heads of households and individual members captured. She added that the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) had made the system more reliable and inclusive.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Dr. Badamasi Lawal, stressed the necessity of social protection in Nigeria’s current economic climate.

    “Social protection is not a choice but a necessity, given the realities of today,” he stated.

    Also lending his voice, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, HRH Dr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, emphasised that social protection should be viewed as a duty of the state and society, rather than an act of benevolence.

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    The engagement drew participants from federal and state governments, civil society organisations, development agencies, traditional institutions, Community Development Associations, and senior officials of the Lagos State Executive Council.

    Ms. Funmi Olotu, National Coordinator, National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office, said that the register had become one of the world’s largest social protection databases with more than 19 million households captured.

    She said that the recent integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) into the register was transforming it into a more reliable and inclusive system.

    “As of Aug. 31, 2025, a total of 7.68 million household records had been updated across the 36 states.

    “From these, over 9.5 million NINs were recorded, with more than 8.3 million successfully validated,” Olotu said.

    She described the achievement as remarkable.

    “The real story behind the numbers is that mothers in rural areas, displaced households and young Nigerians seeking opportunities are beginning to see a government that recognises their struggles and is deliberate about supporting them,” she said.

    In his goodwill message, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Dr Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, said that social protection should be seen as a duty of the state and society rather than an act of benevolence.

    “Giving to the poor is not charity, it is social responsibility,” he said.

    The royal father said that Nigeria’s social contract must be anchored on inclusiveness, adding that vulnerable citizens should not look like beggars but rightful beneficiaries of public policy.

    “When government supports the less privileged through a credible system like the National Social Register, it is fulfilling its moral and constitutional responsibility.

    “We must change our mindsets and treat social protection as an obligation,” Ogunsanwo said.

    He said that the traditional institution would continue to partner with governments in ensuring that households in rural communities would benefit from social protection schemes.

    A senator representing Lagos West, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, described the register as a collective commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient platform.

    She stated that the gathering marks a critical step in the government’s desire to reach the poor and vulnerable population in Nigeria.

    She emphasised that NSR, is not merely a database but the backbone of the nation’s capacity to deliver aid with transparency, monitoring, and respect for human dignity.

    The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of awards to some deserving recipients.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu was amongst the honorees, with Egube, receiving the award on his behalf.

    According to the organisers, the governor was recognised for setting new standards in social protection governance by implementing numerous people-centred programmes, strengthening inclusion and expanding the safety net for millions and for his unwavering commitment to social protection and exceptional responsiveness to the needs of the people of Lagos. His leadership sets a swinging example of governance that truly cares about the people.

    Nasarawa state Governor Abdullahi Sule also received the Social Protection Leadership Award for his unwavering commitment to inclusive governance, just as Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, and a host of others.

  • Three-storey building collapses in Yaba, four rescued as search continues

    Three-storey building collapses in Yaba, four rescued as search continues

    A three-storey building under construction collapsed on Friday night, September 12, at 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos State.

    The incident occurred around 8:30 pm, leaving several persons trapped under the rubble. Eyewitnesses gave conflicting accounts, with some saying six people were trapped and others reporting five. So far, four adult males have been rescued alive and taken to hospital for treatment.

    Responders from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other emergency teams quickly mobilised to the scene and commenced search and rescue operations.

    As of press time, the exact number of persons still trapped could not be confirmed, but rescue efforts are ongoing. Emergency officials have cordoned off the site to ensure safety and smooth operations.

    The search and rescue operation continues into the night, with officials assuring that no effort will be spared to save lives.

  • Lagos to improve roads, kicks off street project

    Lagos to improve roads, kicks off street project

    Lagos State has launched construction of a 200-metre road on Sanni Street in Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to improve road infrastructure in rural and semi-urban areas.

    Sanni Street project is part of interventions by Office of Rural Development to address decades-old challenges of poor roads, flooding, and inadequate lighting.

    Residents of Amukoko and Musafejo, who have endured difficulties in mobility and commerce due to poor condition of the street, hoped the road will transform their lives.

    Nurudeen Agbaje, special adviser to the governor on Rural Development, said the project is executed through Office of Rural Development and will be ready in six months.

    Agbaje noted that the project will deliver a good road, with  installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve visibility and enhance security.

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    He said the initiative followed recommendation by Lookman Olumo, chair of House of Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriation, and representative of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency I.

    According to him, Olumo proposed the road for construction in recognition of the community’s support for the ruling party, a commitment which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu promised to fulfill.

    APC chair in Ifelodun LCDA, Babalola Olalakan; former Executive Secretary and Apex Leader of the LCDA, Adigun Wahab; and Mayor of Ifelodun LCDA, Olufemi Okeowo, lauded the project, describing it as a timely.

    Chief of Staff to the LCDA Chair, Mr Ayinde Bolaji, who spoke for the chairman, lauded Olumo and Agbaje for facilitating the road construction.

  • Lagos intensifies drive to cut malaria to pre-elimination level says Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos intensifies drive to cut malaria to pre-elimination level says Sanwo-Olu

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reducing malaria prevalence to below one per cent.

    Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the mid-term review meeting of the IMPACT Project and the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.

    According to him, the state is on course to shift from a high-burden to a pre-elimination stage.

    He said the initiative, launched on March 4, was designed to turn hope into tangible results by deploying evidence, technology and collaboration to combat malaria.

    According to the governor, funding from the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and other partners has enabled Lagos to expand targeted activities at key points of care and strengthen its monitoring capacity.

    A major plank of the strategy, he noted, “is digitisation including real-time reporting systems and digital platforms in public and private facilities to close information gaps that slow diagnosis, reporting and response.

    “Through partnerships with innovative companies and the rollout of digital pharmacy and facility software.

    “We are enhancing diagnostic accuracy, standardising case management and integrating private providers into the state surveillance system,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu said malaria continued to impose huge social and economic costs on Lagos residents through lost school days, diminished wages and pressure on the health system.

    Hence the drive to cut prevalence to pre-elimination levels by improving diagnostics, ensuring consistent treatment and engaging communities.

    He identified accountability, scale and quality, and community ownership as the three key focused areas of the review.

    On accountability, the governor called for strict adherence to rapid diagnostic testing and timely reporting by private pharmacies and patent medicine vendors.

    On scale and quality, he stressed the need to extend interventions to hard-to-reach areas without compromising standards, through training, supervision and integration with the Ilera Eko health-financing platform to guarantee affordable access to care.

    ” I urge households and communities to play their part by eliminating mosquito breeding sites, testing promptly and trusting the health system.

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    ” Supported by effective communication, community health workers and collaboration with traditional leaders, market groups and schools,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu commended development partners including the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, WHO, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

    Others are, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Maisha Meds, Society for Family Health, private hospitals, pharmacies and community providers for their support.

    He also applauded the Ministry of Health, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHV) for progress made so far.

    The  governor, however, urged them to sustain the momentum by drawing up a solid operational plan for the next quarter.

    The governor appealed to residents to contribute to the fight by using treated nets, getting rid of stagnant water and testing before taking anti-malarials.

    According to him, such individual actions will help achieve a malaria-free Lagos.

    “Let us commit to being transparent with our data, ensuring quality care in both public and private sectors and empowering our communities.

    “Together with government, partners, health workers, private sector and community leaders, we can make Lagos a shining example of effective malaria control,”he said.

    (NAN)

  • Lagos Govt begins 2026 budget consultations, seeks citizens’ input

    Lagos Govt begins 2026 budget consultations, seeks citizens’ input

    The Lagos State Government has commenced consultations on the 2026 budget with a call for residents to actively participate in shaping the state’s fiscal priorities.

    Speaking at the opening session of the Budget Consultative Forum for the Ikeja Division held at the Multipurpose Hall of Radio Lagos, Agidingbi, the Commissioner, Lagos state Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, said the initiative was designed to give citizens a voice in the budgeting process while also providing updates on the performance of the 2025 budget.

    “This is the first of our visits to the divisions of the state. We are here to hear from our people what they want to see in the 2026 budget. It also allows us to report back on what they requested in 2025 and to give a scorecard of what has been achieved,” he said.

    George disclosed that Lagos had so far achieved over 80 per cent budget performance in 2025, both in revenue generation and expenditure, adding that the state was optimistic about meeting its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for the year.

    “We are building on the gains of 2025. Our IGR is growing, and as of August–September, we have hit about 80 per cent of our target. Last year, we met our IGR target, and we are confident that 2025 will follow the same path,” he noted.

    The Permanent Secretary added that while Lagos continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, the state is also prioritising social protection, healthcare, education, and agriculture. He further revealed that the agribusiness initiative, Lagos Produce, would be expanded to strengthen food security.

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    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, raised concerns over the rising rate of drug abuse among young people in Lagos.

    Describing the menace as a “pandemic,” Ogunlende said the ministry had established a special department under the Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse (LASCADA) programme to tackle the crisis.

    “At the moment, our rehabilitation centres are full. Drug abuse is something we see on our streets and in our homes. At least 35 per cent of our youths are dependent on substances,” he stated.

    He noted that the state was working with the NDLEA, private institutions, and civil society groups to provide advocacy, rehabilitation, and rescue services, while urging communities to take ownership of the fight against drug abuse.

    The Budget Consultative Forum, which runs from September 9–16, 2025, will be held across the state’s divisions, with participation from traditional rulers, professional bodies, civil society organisations, trade groups, persons with disabilities, and youths.

  • Two injured, three rescued in separate road crashes in Lagos

    Two injured, three rescued in separate road crashes in Lagos

    Two people were left injured and three others rescued after separate road accidents over the weekend at Olohunsogo, Mile 2, and the Stadium Hotel axis of Ojuelegba, Surulere.

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed both incidents in a statement on Sunday, noting that its officers intervened swiftly to rescue the victims and restore traffic flow.

    At Olohunsogo Bus Stop, inward Mile 2, a Toyota Camry with registration number FST 450 HG rammed into a stationary Scania truck marked LSR 243 YC.

    The crash left the Camry’s driver and a passenger badly injured. LASTMA officers pulled the victims out of the wreck and rushed them to Ademola Hospital, opposite Ijanikin Police Station, for emergency treatment.

    Preliminary investigations revealed that the Camry driver had been speeding before losing control of the vehicle.

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    The driver of the stationary truck was arrested at the scene, while officers from the Ijanikin Police Division provided security backup. The wrecked vehicles were quickly evacuated to ease traffic congestion in the busy corridor.

    In a separate accident at Stadium Hotel, Ojuelegba, Surulere, a white commercial Mazda bus (registration number KRD 141 YH) reportedly lost control and crashed into the median along the BRT lane.

    The bus driver was found unconscious, while two passengers also sustained injuries. LASTMA operatives rescued the victims and rushed them to a nearby hospital, where they were stabilized.

    One of the passengers, Aina Kadri, recounted that the bus suffered a sudden brake failure while moving at high speed, leading to the crash.

    The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the officers for their professionalism and collaboration with the police in handling the emergencies.

    He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to rapid rescue operations, efficient traffic management, and public safety.

    Mr. Bakare-Oki also urged motorists to obey speed limits and carry out regular maintenance of their vehicles, stressing that excessive speeding and mechanical negligence remain major causes of avoidable road tragedies.

  • Lagos wins 9th National Youth Games 

    Lagos wins 9th National Youth Games 

    Team Lagos has emerged champions of the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, with 52 gold, 32 silver and 26 bronze medals

    Delta, the host state displaced Edo State to come second with 37 gold, 38 silver and 39 bronze medals.

    Edo State garnered 33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze medals to finish third.

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    Thirty three States registered their presence on the medals table, winning a total of 802 medals, comprising 246 gold, 236 silver and 320 bronze medals.