Tag: Sanwo-Olu

  • Sanwo-Olu unveils Lagos financial hub blueprint, rallies stakeholders

    Sanwo-Olu unveils Lagos financial hub blueprint, rallies stakeholders

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), urging stakeholders across the public and private sectors to sustain collaboration toward positioning Lagos as a global financial hub.

    The event held at the Lagos State House, Marina, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who chairs the Lagos LIFCC, spoke during the unveiling of the LIFC Phase 1 Report, describing the initiative as a strategic economic reform designed to strengthen Nigeria’s global competitiveness and position Lagos as a leading international financial hub.

    The governor said the project, conceived about two years ago, was designed to attract international capital, deepen financial markets, and create sustainable economic opportunities for the country.

    He stressed that the initiative was anchored on long-term vision and strong institutional backing, noting that its success would depend largely on sustained stakeholder support and policy continuity.

    Sanwo-Olu said, “For me, it is all about leadership and confidence. If you can dream it and envision it, then you can achieve it. The foundation we are laying today is for the future of our economy, our children, and generations to come. This is not just about Lagos; it is about building an economic legacy that will transform Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.”

    He noted that substantial groundwork had been completed through policy engagements, technical partnerships, and institutional capacity building, adding that the next phase would focus on implementation and structural reforms.

    The governor commended the United Kingdom government and TheCityUK for providing technical and financial support, stressing that the development of a credible international financial centre requires robust institutional frameworks and strategic investment partnerships.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu reaffirms Lagos–Air Force partnership, backs airport base proposal

    Sanwo-Olu also emphasised the need to insulate the project from political transitions, revealing that key state and federal institutions were already being integrated into the implementation structure.

    “We have designed a model that involves both state and national institutions so that the project becomes institutional rather than personality-driven. It is about building a sustainable structure that will outlive any administration,” he said.

    He urged stronger synergy between the public and private sectors, noting that risk-sharing and joint investment strategies were critical to achieving the project’s objectives.

    British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter described the initiative as a major economic milestone capable of unlocking domestic and international capital flows into infrastructure development, job creation, and economic growth.

    He lauded the Lagos State Government and EnterpriseNGR for driving the initiative and strengthening collaboration with federal institutions, noting that a well-structured financial centre would benefit the national economy.

    “A well-designed international financial centre can unlock significant domestic and international capital flows. These resources will support infrastructure development, boost productive sectors, and create employment opportunities,” he said.

    He added that the United Kingdom, through TheCityUK, was providing expertise to help identify Lagos’ comparative advantages and the regulatory reforms required to establish a globally competitive financial centre.

    Co-chairman of the LIFCC, Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, underscored the importance of private sector participation, describing the LIFC as a collaborative economic ecosystem that requires strong partnerships between government and business institutions.

    He said EnterpriseNGR had championed the initiative by drawing lessons from established global financial centres such as London, New York, and Kigali.

    According to him, Lagos emerged as the preferred location for the project due to its economic strength, infrastructure capacity, and investor-friendly policies.

    Aig-Imokhuede described the completion of Phase 1 as a significant milestone, noting that Phase 2 would focus on policy reforms, legislative frameworks, and resource mobilisation to drive implementation.

    “The scale and impact of the Lagos International Financial Centre will go beyond the Nigerian Stock Exchange. It will strengthen capital mobilisation, expand financial institutions and position Nigeria as a global financial destination,” he said.

  • Sanwo-Olu reaffirms Lagos–Air Force partnership, backs airport base proposal

    Sanwo-Olu reaffirms Lagos–Air Force partnership, backs airport base proposal

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), particularly in safeguarding strategic installations and enhancing security across the state.

    The governor spoke at Lagos House, Marina, while receiving the Chief of the Air Staff and his delegation on a courtesy visit.

    Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos remains conscious of its strategic importance to Nigeria’s economic progress, stressing that the state would continue to provide necessary support to the Armed Forces to protect critical national assets.

    “The Nigerian Air Force and the Lagos State Government have been in partnership for a long time. Your strategic installations and facilities in Lagos are critical, and we will continue to ensure they are adequately safeguarded,” he said.

    He praised the professionalism of Air Force officers deployed to the state, describing them as competent and capable, while assuring the delegation that previous commitments made by the state government to the Air Force would be honoured.

    The governor also acknowledged the request for the establishment of an Air Force base around the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, noting that such a move would further strengthen the security architecture of the airport.

    “We have taken note of your request for a base around the international airport. It will further enhance capacity and security, considering the strategic nature of the area and its surrounding waterways,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    He pledged continued collaboration with the Air Force, as well as other security agencies, to ensure the safety of residents and critical infrastructure in Lagos.

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, called for deeper collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Lagos State Government, citing evolving security challenges and the strategic importance of Lagos to national stability and economic growth.

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    He described the courtesy visit as one of his earliest official engagements since assuming office.

    He said the visit underscored the importance of Lagos State, noting that the Air Force maintains one of its earliest and major operational bases in the state.

    “Lagos is the heartbeat of Nigeria. If it’s not Lagos, it’s nowhere,” he said, commending the state government for its infrastructure development, transportation projects and sustained investment in security.

    The Air Chief praised Sanwo-Olu’s leadership and commitment to security, saying the state has consistently remained ahead in adopting modern and intelligent security solutions.

    He revealed that the Air Force is prepared to support Lagos with advanced surveillance capabilities, particularly through the deployment and management of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

    “What can take days to observe on the ground can be seen within minutes from the air. Our expertise in unmanned aerial systems can greatly benefit Lagos if we continue this partnership,” he said.

    He assured the governor of the Air Force’s readiness to provide technical support, manpower and expertise to ensure effective deployment and utilisation of security equipment.

    The CAS also expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended to his wife during an earlier visit to Lagos, describing it as a reflection of the state government’s warmth and respect for the Armed Forces.

  • There is a governor in Lagos

    There is a governor in Lagos

    • By Tunji Bamishigbin

    There has been one man, one governor in Lagos State, who has done greater things with immeasurable boldness, despite his simple nature and calm demeanour. That man is Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the current governor of Lagos State. When it comes to embarking on daring projects, he stands taller.

    Let me break it down.

    Recently, as I drove by Alausa, Ikeja, I saw the state government’s Secretariat extension building opposite the Lands Bureau, and the Ministry of the Environment. That building was meant to house some of the state MDAs’ offices that are spread across the state in rented buildings.

    The project has passed through God knows the number of administrations in the state, and I always wonder who was responsible for the delay in completing that single project. It is hoped that the building will be put into use and afford the state huge savings from the annual rents it has been expending yearly.

    There is also the Oko Baba Log Market by the Ebute-Meta Waterfront. This is a community that has existed for over a century. The Log Market has been a stain on the beauty of the waterfront from the Third Mainland Bridge. No administration in the past was bold enough to tackle the menace, military or civilian.

    When I first heard about the governor’s intention to evacuate the market to Ejirin in his speech at the inauguration of the Epe film village, where I sat in the hall near my friend and colleague, Tade Ogidan, I remember whispering to him that the governor’s proclamation was a mere political statement and doubted how he could achieve that.

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    Behold, the day I saw the location from the Third Mainland Bridge, sometime mid last year or thereabout, and saw that the park was already evacuated, I had to park for a proper view of the site. No doubt, it takes some guts to achieve that, especially when it is realised that the previous administrations (military and civilian) could not work it out. For me, perhaps, what makes the feat rather amazing was how it was done without noise.

    Pelewura Market

    If I could recollect quite well, the Pelewura Market was built on a site that used to be a dumpsite by the Lagoon on Adeniji Adele, long before the 3rd Mainland Bridge was constructed. It used to be another version of Owode Onirin, where scraps were traded, particularly by Ijebu traders, who were the original motor spare parts traders before the advent of the eastern traders after the civil war.

    I cannot remember the administration that later acquired the site and constructed lock-up shops on it, which were sold to individuals. However, rather than the shops being used for trading, many were converted to accommodation that was let to many undocumented characters who fled the state within and outside the country. This made it gradually to become unkempt, thereby making it attractive to criminals. Many administrations had watched this site unattended before now.

    It was on the same day I saw the Oko Baba evacuation that I witnessed the demolition of Pelewura Market by the Sanwo-Olu administration. It is the same daring approach being witnessed at Makoko now that the government deployed to tackle the market issue.

    It should be stressed that the previous administrations saw the need to remove the illegal residents and traders along the corridor, but they never had the political will to deal with it.

    These people built their homes on makeshift stuff, with the attendant danger and serious environmental degradation, thereby endangering their lives as well as those of others. This is also in addition to destroying the aesthetics of the waterway. It is to the credit of the current administration that it decided to do the right thing despite the predictable backlash and threat from NGO groups, who had turned the undue activism into a money-spinning venture.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu stands taller for taking bold steps to achieve difficult results that will ultimately benefit the state. The icing is the fact that the governor deploys his quiet and simple demeanour to achieve his goals without unnecessarily being loud and noisy.

    However, I need to stress that his administration needs to improve on the maintenance of public infrastructure across the state, as well as the strict enforcement of law and order. This is one weakness that I have observed with the administration.

    Oshodi was cleaned up by the Fashola administration, and discipline was introduced in the running of the place by the NURTW. The Ambode administration also gave the corridor a facelift, with the construction of the high-tech terminal, but today Oshodi appears to be going back to the previous times. The terminal is underutilized and not in a good state.

    Another example is the activities of the iterant street boys, called bolar boys. My last check on the Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, revealed how these boys have gradually removed the strong iron protection railings at the bus stop from the one by LTV, opposite Coca-Cola, Agidingbi, and the one at Agidingbi Primary School Bus Stop.

    The same goes for the one at Agidigbi Grammar School and the one by Mega Chicken, Agidingbi. To think that this is a location close to the government office, and some guys are employed as Business District Police, but choose to engage in vehicular assignment, needs to be looked into.

    Lastly, the governor, as part of his unique endeavours in breaking the ice that others were not able to dare, should add Oba Akran Road, Ikeja, and its adjacent roads that hold industries. The road needs reconstruction as done in Apapa, Eric Moore, and another industrial location in the state.

    I am aware of the two major impediments on that road: the overhead mini high tension electric cables and the underground gas pipe. These, I believe, are surmountable, going by the daring nature of the governor in infrastructural development.

    The unique achievement this will be is the first transformation of the first main road that held the very first industrial estate in Nigeria by the colonial administration and developed by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, administration in the First Republic. Surely, Baba Awo will be glad in heaven.

     • Bamishigbin is a veteran movie director, actor, and producer.

  • Sanwo-Olu seeks private sector support for Lagos security needs

    Sanwo-Olu seeks private sector support for Lagos security needs

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to individuals and corporate organisations to support his administration’s efforts at sustaining the security of lives and property through increased contributions to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).

    The Governor made the appeal during a private breakfast meeting with select Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of various companies, organised by the LSSTF in Ikoyi, Lagos, to raise funds for critical security needs for 2026.

    According to him, the funds will be deployed to procure multipurpose security helicopters and drones, armoured personnel carriers (APCs), water cannons, digital communication equipment, smart CCTV cameras, vehicles, as well as for tactical training and infrastructural upgrades for the Police, including an ultra-modern mechanical workshop.

    Sanwo-Olu said previous interventions by the private sector had been judiciously utilised by the Trust Fund to empower security agencies, adding that the LSSTF model had been adopted by other sub-national governments and even at the federal level.

    He said the Lagos State Government continues to shoulder a significant portion of security funding, accounting for over 50 per cent of annual expenditure, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the deployment of donated funds.

    “We wanted it to be something that the private sector can trust, where they can see that their support is always judiciously used. There is accountability, and funds are transparently deployed at all times,” he said.

    The Governor disclosed that the state is rebuilding its Command and Control Centre with state-of-the-art equipment and expanding its Safe City project through the installation of CCTV cameras across the metropolis.

    “We want to ensure that Lagos continues to remain secure. We also want to improve the rescue ability, capacity, and capability of our first responders,” he added.

    Commenting on recent protests over the demolition of structures in parts of Makoko, Sanwo-Olu said the action was taken in the overall public interest and to avert a looming disaster.

    He explained that the illegal structures had begun encroaching dangerously close to the Third Mainland Bridge and high-tension power lines, posing serious safety risks.

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    “I am not going to sit down and allow a situation where something drops off and, in one day, between 100 and 500 people lose their lives. What we have done is to push them back for safety reasons,” he said.

    The Governor dismissed allegations that the government was deliberately dislocating residents, insisting that the intervention was purely to safeguard lives and property.

    He also criticised some non-governmental organisations for what he described as exploiting vulnerable communities for financial gain, assuring Lagos residents that his administration remained committed to improving the quality of life for all.

    Sanwo-Olu further disclosed plans to commission 35 junior and senior secondary schools in the Tolu community of Ajegunle next month, with a combined student population of about 22,000.

    He also recalled how his administration resolved the long-standing Okobaba sawmill challenge by relocating operators to Agbowa, at a cost of several billions of naira, and providing over 500 housing units for them.

    “Despite all these interventions, we still need to keep our people safe and create an environment that attracts investment. Several investors are planning to come in, and we must assure them that Lagos is the right place to do business,” he said.

  • Sanwo-Olu, others grace Lagos Country Club’s New Year party

    Sanwo-Olu, others grace Lagos Country Club’s New Year party

    Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other eminent personalities, on Friday, graced the Lagos Country Club’s 2026 New Year party.

    The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Gbenga Omotoso, said the state shares the can-do spirit of the club as he noted that in spite of the challenges faced in 2025, the state recorded huge successes in different areas that stood it out among others.

    His words: “When the president was speaking, he spoke about some of the challenges that the club had last year, some of the crises that the club faced. He was right. These are some of the things that Lagos State shares with this club. In 2025, there were so many challenges. On Christmas Eve, the 25-story Great Nigeria Insurance House building was on fire. And while people were celebrating Christmas, the Governor and I, as well as some other members of the Executive Council, were out there to see how our first responders were doing in curtailing that fire.”

    About three days after, he said, “there was a boat accident in which some people died. But then, the challenges of 2025 have grown in 2025. And in Lagos State, we always like to look at the bright side of life.

    “In 2025, we made so many admirable feats in Lagos State. 2025 was the year that we hosted the E1 Lagos GP | Africa’s First All-Electric Powerboat Race, the first ever to be hosted anywhere in the black world. And the organisers of the race said that it was the best they had ever seen.

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    In 2025, we hosted GITEx. GTEx is the most popular and the biggest exhibition of technology anywhere in the world. The organizers, too, have judged the one hosted by Lagos State as the best so far.

    Today, if you talk about Lagos State, people are talking about Detty December; they are talking about all the strides we have made together in tourism, in technology, and in so many other things. Despite all the challenges, we have been able to do all of these things. These are the things that we have in common with Lagos Country Club.

    “Our resilience, our courage, our endurance, our can-do spirit, the ability to bounce back when people feel that, oh, this crisis is going to consume them. I would like to say tonight that our members of this club continue to behave the way they have been behaving. They should continue to see the club as a symbol of unity, as a symbol of harmony, and as a symbol of the can-do spirit of our dear state, Lagos State.

    The only thing that I would do is to just pray that this club will continue to grow and grow.”

    Earlier in his welcome speech, the President of the club, Mr. Seyi Adewunmi, appreciated the guests and appealed to the governor to actively support the club.

     â€œYour Excellency, while we are a self-sustaining body of professionals, our ambitions for infrastructure renewal are vast. As our Patron and a leader who understands the power of institutions, we invite you to actively support these developmental strides.

    Your financial support would not only accelerate our facility upgrades, specifically the YES project. Still, it would also serve as a profound investment in a community that remains a critical pillar of support for your administration’s vision for a Greater Lagos.

    Also speaking,  the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Aare Kola Oyefeso, said: “As we celebrate the treasure of a new year, we are called to pause, to reflect, and to renew our covenant with one another. It is a very enduring family.In every enduring family, love is not merely spoken. It is demonstrated through understanding, tolerance, and a steadfast commitment to the collective good. These are the pillars upon which Lagos Country Club has been built, and these must remain the hallmarks of our future.”

  • Royal family seeks Sanwo-Olu’s intervention in land dispute

    Royal family seeks Sanwo-Olu’s intervention in land dispute

    The Igbaro Oteshade Royal Family of Oko Ado community in the Eti- Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to halt the unlawful occupation of its ancestral land currently under dispute.

    The family said that its call for Sanwo-Olu’s intervention was aimed at safeguarding ancestral property and preventing further disputes that could threaten peace in the community.

    Speaking with reporters shortly after the protest, the counsel to the royal family, Mr. Kingsley Okoro, urged the Lagos state government come to the aid of the family to prevent the lingering crisis from causing further disorders.

     ”The Igbaro Oteshade Royal Family of Oko Ado Village, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State are the beneficial owner of the vast area of land situate and lying at Oko Ado Village, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Eti-Osa Local Government Area. We got the said area of land through inheritance under Yoruba native law and custom from our great-grandfather, namely, Igbaro Oteshade and later Oba Ado of Adoland, who founded the area now known as Oko-Ado in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State.

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    ”However, the portion of land in issue was released to the Oko Ado Community and Thrift Society (an organization predominantly owned by the Igbaro Oteshade Royal Family of Oko Ado) through an Allocation by the Government of Lagos State. In addition to the fact that the matter is already subjudice in Suit No. LD/14386LMW/2023 before the Hon. Justice B. O. Kalaro, there is also a valid and subsisting Order of the Hon. Court that the status quo be maintained on the land.

    ”This Order is being obeyed in the breach. In another suit marked Suit No LD/12656LMW/2022, the Honourable Court has made a clear Order of Injunction restraining Urban Housing Cooperative Society and Others from further interfering with the property in any manner whatsoever.”

    The family explained that despite a subsisting court order and ongoing suit, armed security men are stationed on the landed property and have been preventing its members from having access to their land.

     ”Fully armed Police Officers are permanently stationed on the land and have on many occasions threatened to shoot if we get closer to the land. We have no intention of relinquishing ownership of our land. We trust that justice will prevail in the end.”

  • Sanwo-Olu’s ‘Lagos Light Up’ idea

    Sanwo-Olu’s ‘Lagos Light Up’ idea

    By Luqmon Balogun

    One of the major pieces of urban infrastructure that impact positively on public safety, economy, as well as wellbeing of any community is street lighting.  In every developed world, street lighting plays a significant role as a preventive mechanism for road accidents, crime reduction, and ensuring energy savings. In the same vein, social interaction and community engagement increase when places like parks, highways and walkways are lit, and this invariably enhances a stronger sense of belonging and neighbourhood cohesion.

    In the past years, there have been hues and cries by residents of Lagos, alleging that the state government had left the streets in darkness and made it pervious to social menace. The House of Assembly, at a point, also reprimanded the executive arm for neglecting roads and highways across the state.

    On December 3, 2024, Governor Sanwo-Olu signed the Lagos State Electricity Bill 2024 into law, thus setting the stage for a power supply system aimed at providing reliable electricity to residents. During the signing, he expressed his administration’s resolve to lighting up Lagos.

    “The bill is not about us; it is about the whole market and the entire system. So, it is important that the system is fully carried along, and they should see it as a win-win. We want, at the end of the day, Lagosians to be the full beneficiaries of what the bill is about. We all want to see affordable and accessible lights all around our state.

    “We all have a common objective, which is to develop and improve the energy infrastructure of our state, and once we do that, we know it will transform into economic benefits for citizens so that people can have a better security network in terms of making Lagos a true 21st Century economy, and not being scared or worried about night or illumination in some parts of the city. We want to light up Lagos. We want our citizens to feel the benefit and effects of this legislation”, he had said at the occasion.

    In addressing this concern, the administration aligned with the evolving smart and LED lighting to replace the old orange-glow streetlights, while building on the existing components. The administration also ensured improved operations with fresh installations and decommissioning of old fittings on major routes across the state.

    Previous administrations had adopted numerous initiatives to light up the streets, with the use of diesel- and gas-powered lighting, but this, as it turned out, was not economically and financially sustainable, as most of the major streets could not be covered.

    With the new installations, the government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, has since restored nightlife to areas like Iddo, Eko Bridge, Ikorodu Road, Jibowu, Fadeyi, and all the way down to Maryland and Ojota. Others include Marina Bridge, Western Avenue, Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway, Muritala Muhammad International Airport Way, Governor’s Road, Alausa, Old Toll Gate-Olusosun, Alapere-Ogudu, Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Agric Ikorodu, Ikorodu Road, Lekki-Epe Expressway, with many of them completed while others are ongoing.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said that the project is a continuous exercise across the state.

    “What you are seeing today on the streets is the answer of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the question of unlit, dark streets. Today, so many streets in Lagos are well lit, and the job is not complete. It is not done; it is something that is ongoing, and we will continue to do it.

    “In the first phase, we are going to fix 20,000 lamps while the second phase is about 22,000…the streetlights have really brightened up the streets. And there are so many implications, such as reduction of crime, safety, and security on our streets.” he said 

    Omotoso also spoke on the efforts so far by the Sanwo-Olu’s administration to light up the city.

    “When Mr Sanwo-Olu came in, we felt it was not reasonable and was not sustainable for us to spend about N600 million every month to power, repair and fuel generators, and to do all of that.

    “Besides, the world is running away from emissions but towards clean energy. And that Lagos should not be left behind in that kind of conversation. So we decided to go solar. We tried so many, until we got the right specification, which we are doing now. In all, this is a testament to the fact that we are also advancing technology, sustainable energy, in the beautification of our streets and communities,” Omotoso stressed. 

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    Technically, an improved visibility allows drivers to see road hazards ahead, as study shows that a well-lit intersection can drastically reduce night-time crashes by roughly 30% to 40%, and proper illumination has been shown to reduce pedestrian-related crashes by up to 50%.

    Sodiq Omotayo, a commercial driver who plies Ikorodu to Lagos Island daily, shares his experience on the road, particularly at night: In the past, we usually had journeys laced with fear whenever we were returning home, because of the dark spots and fear of the unknown. But since the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu fixed these solar powered lights, it has become interesting to drive in the night, because now, you can see what is ahead of you.”

    The idea of solar light retrofitting, according to Morenike Ladega who sells goods at Ikorodu bus stop, is transformational to the business environment.

    “We the market people in Ikorodu are the only ones that can explain the magnitude of what Governor Sanwo-Olu did for us with these new solar installations. It has improved our sales greatly. Before now, we used to light up our stalls with rechargeable lanterns and others, but now Sanwo-Olu light up is the real light,” she said

    It is a truism that areas with modern, consistent lighting are often perceived as more luxurious, thus increasing the value of property in the area. This audacious move by the government to light up major highways will no doubt bring about development and impact the environment positively, reduce the city’s carbon footprint, electricity costs, and enhance the city’s overall development.

    The government has also assured that the solar street light installation and retrofitting is a continuous exercise and areas that are yet to be illuminated would soon be lit up.

    For the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to sustain the accolades, all major roads across the state must be touched and, from there, the greater Lagos that is rising can be felt at all nooks and crannies of the state.

    •Balogun is a journalist and writes from Lagos.

  • Sanwo-Olu’s aide empowers 500 residents with N25m

    Sanwo-Olu’s aide empowers 500 residents with N25m

    • By Sherifdeen Amusa

    The Special Adviser on Transportation to Lagos State Governor, Sola Giwa, has empowered 500 Lagos Island residents with N50,000 each.

    Giwa said the initiative was aimed at giving back to his constituents as a form of appreciation for their constant support over the years.

    “I have achieved a lot through the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. And this is my own way of saying thank you to the people of my constituency for supporting me,” he said.

    He added that the initiative will also serve as a form of motivation for  members  to participate in the  E-registration of the APC and invite non-members to join the party.

    Lauding the initiative, a Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Lagos Island Constituency II, Olanrewaju Afinni, said Giwa was part of the team that cleared the gridlock at Apapa years back and has always been consistent in giving back to his constituents.

    He added that the initiative would relieve the burden from him and other elected officials in the area.

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    Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Muibi Folawiyo, expressed satisfaction with the performance of Giwa and other appointed officials of Lagos Island and Lagos Island East in the Lagos State executive cabinet.

    He added that their efforts have not only improved governance across Lagos Island and its environs, but have enhanced the party’s image while contributing to electoral success, grassroots development, job creation, and the implementation of impactful programmes at the local government level.

    Lagos State Chairman of the APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, represented by the Deputy State Chairman, Moshood Maiyegun, said the collaboration between the legislative arm and the council chamber at the constituency level was not only unprecedented but already yielding positive results and strengthening governance at the grassroots.

    He urged party members to participate in the E-registration to take advantage of the opportunity in the party, adding, that the process was simple and accessible to all.

  • Family writes Sanwo-Olu, police over illegal land sale

    Family writes Sanwo-Olu, police over illegal land sale

    The Ogunnusi Oloko Family of Arapagi-Oloko Village, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, has escalated its petition over the alleged illegal sale of ancestral land to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Police.

    It raised fresh concerns about land fraud in the fast-growing coastal corridor.

    In its appeal to Sanwo-Olu, the family urged the state government to intervene to halt further illegal land sales.

    It also asked the state government to protect innocent buyers and preserve communal land ownership in Ibeju-Lekki, an area experiencing intense real-estate pressure.

    The family called on the police to investigate alleged cases of impersonation, forgery and obtaining money under false pretences.

    The family stressed that its action was aimed at safeguarding ancestral property and preventing further disputes that could threaten peace in the community.

    The family alleged the sale of communal land without authorisation.

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    It said documents with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) contains a list of recognised family heads and trustees, including Elder Mumuni Adebola Oloko, acknowledged by the family as Head of the family.

    In a petition earlier addressed to the Paramount Ruler of Ibeju Land, Oba Waliu Olasunkanmi Oniwolu,  and now escalated to the state government and security agencies, the family alleged falsification of family documents, forgery of signatures of senior family members and collection of millions of naira from land buyers.

    A formal resolution issued by the family association also warned against illegal and unapproved land sales and announced plans to prosecute any individual found culpable.

    The resolution noted that the activities allegedly continued despite repeated appeals and internal interventions and warned buyers to beware.

  • Gov Sanwo-Olu commends Westerfield College ahead of 2026 summer camp

    Gov Sanwo-Olu commends Westerfield College ahead of 2026 summer camp

    The Chief Executive Officer of Westerfield College, Michael Dosunmu, and his team, paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor as part of activities to mark the school’s first anniversary as a wholly owned Nigerian school thriving in the UK. 

    Westerfield College is also participating in the International Education Fair (IEF) and the School Leaders and Teachers Conference (SLTC 2026).

    Westerfield College is a leading Sixth Form institution with campuses in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Last year, the school became the first wholly owned African school to offshore into the United Kingdom.

    This remarkable achievement was well celebrated by Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwoolu at the official launch, held at the British High Commissioner’s residence, where he commended the CEO, Michael Dosunmu, who is an indigene of the state.

    The visit formed part of Westerfield College’s ongoing engagement with key education stakeholders as it continues to expand opportunities for Nigerian students and families seeking globally competitive education pathways.

    During the courtesy call, the College reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening educational linkages between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and to supporting the aspirations of young Nigerians through quality international programmes.

    In his remark, Governor Sanwo-Olu harped on the educational prowess of Nigerian youths who have continued to excel across the world.

    Finding Westerfield College to open up in the United Kingdom is opening vistas of opportunities for selling Nigeria and Lagos positively to the world.

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    Westerfield College is currently hosting its School Leaders and Teachers Conference (SLTC 2026) and participating in the International Education Fair, a platform designed to provide students, parents, and schools with direct access to guidance on international education opportunities.

    A major focus of this engagement is the Westerfield College UK Summer Camp Programme, which offers students early exposure to British culture, specialist academic tracks, leadership development, cultural exchange and networking, sports, and personal growth within a safe and structured learning environment. 

    The camp will run in 3 cohorts from 20th July to 1st August, 3rd to 15th August, and 17th to 29th August 2026 at its campus in Worcester, UK.

    Campers enjoy the most holistic offer that a camp can offer with a combination of academic tracks, which include STEM, Pre-medicine, Business and Law, Computing and coding, as well as Arts and Humanities; sports, such as football, basketball, tennis, and athletics; immersive English; tours; leadership and networking opportunities.

    Speaking during the visit, the CEO of Westerfield College highlighted the institution’s vision of education as a tool for global mobility and personal transformation.

    They emphasised that the Summer Camp Programme is tailored to help Nigerian students build confidence, global awareness, and leadership skills, while giving families a meaningful introduction to the British education system.

    The delegation also underscored the significance of Westerfield College UK, which was launched in 2025 and marks a major milestone as the first African-owned and Africa-based school to establish a campus in the United Kingdom.

    The UK campus combines British academic standards with Westerfield’s personalised, student-centred approach, offering Cambridge A Levels, University Foundation Programmes, Pre-Medicine, and enrichment opportunities that support strong university progression outcomes.

    The courtesy visit reflects Westerfield College’s broader mission to collaborate with government and education leaders in advancing access to high-quality, future-focused education for Nigerian students.