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Awakening a Greater Lagos: Full Text of Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Inauguration Speech
“AWAKENING A GREATER LAGOS”
By the grace of Almighty God and Your votes, I stand before you today as your Governor.
This day marks the beginning of a new chapter in our journey to greatness. Today, I ask you to join me on this journey to awaken a Greater Lagos.
When we speak of a Greater Lagos, we speak not empty words. It is a deep and profound assertion we mean.
We intend to make history by making for ourselves and our children a better future.
Therefore, on this day, on this precious land we call our home, let us stand together in the very face of history.
Let us vow to ourselves, and to posterity that we shall not just dream of a Greater Lagos. Let us agree this day that we shall collectively rise up to build the Lagos of our dreams.
We need not be discouraged by the challenges that may be apparent. Today is an opportunity for us to forge ahead in our quest for a Greater Lagos.
It is possible!
No one should ever underestimate the spirit of Lagos and the resilience of its people. Yes, hard problems may confront us, but we will also confront them. Every problem will lose its potency to our unity.
Therefore, Lagosians, in this new chapter of our lives, we need not cry or fret. We are united by our common purpose of a Greater Lagos and fulfilling future.
Posterity has given us this day to commence our journey to greatness. We need to envision the glorious end of working together, tirelessly and committedly, towards achieving a Lagos of our dreams. By our individual and collective efforts and the Grace of God, these dreams will become a reality.
In Lagos State, our story has been of successes and achievements. Since 1999, our tradition of progressive governance has set Lagos apart and strengthened people’s belief in our ideology.
And that is the very reason I stand before you on this historic day as your Governor. While we celebrate the victory of progressive governance and democracy, tomorrow we must be ready to stand on guard and be fully vigilant.
Democracy and progressive governance hold only to the extent that we protect and nurture them. While Lagos glimmers as a beacon of progressive and quality governance, our nation now undergoes a historic battle to establish progressive and just governance.
Lagos must again rise and help lead this nation to fuller progress and to a closer realization of the greatness that exists within all Nigerians.
This inauguration symbolizes such an awakening.
Today, I stand before you as your governor, but also as your friend, brother; neighbor and your servant. I stand here to ask that you join me to script and fashion this greater Lagos with the creativity of our minds.
Let the ingenuity of our hands, the sweat of our labor and the compassion that resides in our hearts be committed to this common goal.
We are but human beings. Our time on this earth is finite, and shall one day pass. At some point, we shall all enter the book of history. This is inevitable.
But we can choose how we walk into history. Shall we do so as masters of our fate, or as slaves to things that seek to suppress us?
When the history of our moment is written, let it not be told in tears of defeat, rather let it resound with the anthem of collective victory.
Let our time be proclaimed in golden celebration of a state, and of a people who stood in unity of purpose to make their home a Greater one.
In this, we simply adhere to the tradition of enlightened government set by those who came before us. We owe a large debt of gratitude to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN.
Asiwaju led the team that created the blueprint for development; both administrations faithfully executed that economic blueprint and established the structures and institutions of progressive governance in the process.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode pushed forward in a special manner. His efforts and actions shall be duly remembered.
As your Governor, I know fully well who I am, because I know where I am from. More importantly, I know where I am headed.
I have been a part of this progressive journey since its very inception. I know first-hand the concerted efforts that went into planning so many of the innovations we now see and enjoy.
It will be my job to continue that process by refining and perfecting the foundation laid by the preceding administrations.
In this regard, I shall forever remain loyal to the aspirations of the people and to the developmental blueprint that has brought so much success to our dear state.
The Babajide Sanwo-Olu you see today shall not change and try to become something I am not. My prayer is only that I grow and improve as your Governor to implement good policies and bring the prosperity you deserve.
On this day, I speak to the young and old, Christian and Muslim, those who trace their earliest ancestry back to this land, and to those who came last week.
I speak to the poor and to the rich. I speak to the Danfo driver as much as to the millionaire, to the fruit vendor and much as to the real estate titan.
I speak to employer and employee, I speak to teacher and student, I speak to mother and father. The civil service as well as the private sector – We are all Lagosians.
I say to you all let us explore how we can best establish a harmony of interests and avoid the growing tendency to focus on those things that differentiate and divide one Lagosian from another.
By the dint of Providence, this small tract of land intersected and surrounded by waterways and lagoons has become home to roughly 22 million people, with their various dreams and aspirations.
Not only is Lagos home to so many people and their aspirations, it is also the catalyst of economic growth for much of Nigeria.
The world outside sees Lagos as Nigeria. We are Nigeria’s door to the global economy and the global economy’s door to Nigeria.
As long as Lagos flourishes, Nigeria has more than a fair chance to enjoy the development and growth needed for its deserving population. If Lagos falters, Nigeria also stumbles.
The reality of the integral role we play in Nigeria’s ascent to national greatness coupled with the untapped potentials we hold to produce even greater wealth to improve the living conditions of our people are the things that make Lagos a magnificent place.
These strategic aspects of our current reality, and of our immediate future, bestow on me and my administration a profound responsibility.
My goal is to advance the social and economic progress of this state and its people; regardless of your faith, social class, or your origin of birth.
As long as you adopt the spirit of Lagos, Lagos in turn shall adopt you.
As I said in my acceptance speech, I am too focused on moving Lagos forward to give a second thought to where a person may have come from. As long as you are animated by the spirit of achievement, cooperation and tolerance, then you are Lagosian. This is my motto.
This is how I see our home and this is how I shall run my government. I shall select the best and most qualified people to hold positions in our government.
My door shall remain open to all. I shall seek the advice of the learned, the wise and the ordinary Lagosian, for in the common man resides much wisdom and fairness of thought.
While one cannot help but hear the kind words of friends, I must pay even closer attention to the voice of my critics.
In constructive criticism lies the seeds of improvement. With these things in mind, let me quickly outline my goals for a Greater Lagos.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and I are single-minded in our desire to bequeath to our successors a far Greater Lagos than the one we inherited today
And to do so, we have formulated a concise framework that encapsulates our collective vision for the state and ensures that our undertaking remains focused and our communication remains clear as we endeavour to build a Greater Lagos we can all be proud to call home.
The framework, as our six (6) Pillars of Development Agenda, is captured by the acronym, “T.H.E.M.E.S, which I will briefly talk about:
T – Traffic Management and Transportation
Here, we must act with urgency to execute a transport masterplan that will fully integrate road, rail and water transportation into a multi-modal transport system that makes commuting easy for Lagosians.
We must also ensure compliance with all traffic rules and regulations on our roads.
H – Health and Environment
Because we know the significance of a clean environment in preventive healthcare, we have a moral duty to provide basic health care for our people, especially those who cannot afford it. Under our comprehensive health program, we will place special emphasis on maternal healthcare, malaria and water borne diseases.
We will also focus on sanitation and waste management, by ensuring that our drainage systems are functional and kept clean.
E – Education and Technology
We will invest in the education of our children and young adults. By increasing the budgetary allocation to education, this government will empower teachers in every local government and strengthen their capacity to deliver quality education to our children.
New educational infrastructure will cultivate a learning environment that prepares our children for a new world that demands creativity, intuition and critical thinking.
We will ensure technology is integrated into our school curriculum and empower our youths with the much-needed skills for the jobs of tomorrow.
M – Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy
By investing in critical infrastructure, we will accelerate the growth of our economy and empower the private sector who are the real engines of growth.
We must break the deadlock that shackles our power distribution, provide sustainable urban settlements that addresses the current deficit; while at the same time building a smart city that achieves urban harmony and sets a new bar in our nation.
E – Entertainment and Tourism
We will nurture and showcase our cultural heritage and unique hospitality, support our entertainment, visual arts and sports sectors, and inspire the kind of creativity from our most talented individuals that will enhance our reputation at home – and abroad.
S – Security and Governance
The last of these pillars of development is Security and Governance.
It is important to ensure that we set the right tone for good governance and accountability at the top.
To this end, my administration will ensure that we walk the talk as far as transparency, the rule of law and fiscal discipline are concerned.
We will make sure that we create the right environment in which security and safety of lives and property are guaranteed.
Our ultimate goal would be to ensure that Lagos state
remains one of the top destinations on the African continent to live, work and invest in.
These six (6) Pillars of Development represent our response to the yearnings of the people. They constitute the foundations that must be restored for future generations.
And should we fulfil our promise and deliver on these pillars, we are most confident that we will have succeeded in setting Lagos on a new trajectory of economic growth and development that would be unprecedented in our entire history.
Let me also add that in doing all of these, the welfare and socio-economic well-being of our hardworking civil servants would equally be given the priority that it truly deserves.
Similarly, our youths and women would be well integrated into our governance structure to equally contribute their utmost to our developmental strides.
The mission upon which we embark today, shall happen. As we gather force and momentum, there will be no mortal power that can stop our movement towards greater prosperity, justice and hope.
I urge you all therefore to lend yourself to this excellent cause and join our march to victory over our social and economic challenges. Do not stand aside and let this good development pass you by.
The hearts and hands of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and myself are extended to each and every Lagosian.
Join us on this noble journey as we strive together to birth and nurture a Greater Lagos.
However, make no mistake, the success of our development agenda must be a shared and collective responsibility.
I implore us all as Lagosians to rededicate ourselves to contribute our individual quotas positively and responsibly in this new drive to reform our society and take it to a higher pedestal.
We must imbibe the spirit of being our brothers’ keeper in our daily lives at home, work, recreational places and worship centers, and most especially on our roads.
With these goals, we embark on a new social contract that will ultimately be beneficial to all; irrespective of age, religion, socio-economic status or ethnicity.
Every Lagosian has a role in this government and we will on our part, certainly walk the talk in all that we would do as your elected officials.
As I conclude, I agree that Lagos has many challenges before it, challenges that have the power to consume us.
We must therefore be prudent, yet not afraid to act, to ensure that this large population enjoys the economic prosperity and social security that our developmental agenda has to offer.
We have, without doubt, been placed here at a momentous time. Let us make the most of what God has given us. We cannot afford to do less than that.
On this day, I vow as your Governor that I will serve the public cause with my utmost ability and commitment. With your help, I know we can make Lagos Greater still.
Indeed, our best days lie ahead of us.
Thank you
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
God bless Lagos State
God bless you all.
By Prof Mike Ozekhome SAN
INTRODUCTION
The last installment of this series continued from where the inaugural one stopped: the analogy of each corpse buried without justice being a clause in the Constitution buried in effigy. It then explained how inequality breeds violence, before moving onto how systemic lapses in law enforcement is the hidden engine of insecurity and erosion of rights. Later, it examined the contrast between constitutional mandate and institutional reality, followed by the politicization and weaponization of law enforcement; corruption as operational culture; and finally operational weaknesses and structural management. The week, we shall continue with same theme, after which we shall delve into the failure of internal accountability; collusion with criminal networks; erosion of civil liberties through enforcement practices; the cycle of impunity; abuse of judicial power and executive lawlessness targeted at the Bench. Thereafter, we shall consider various pathways and recommendations for addressing insecurity, rights protection and institutional weakness. Enjoy.
OPERATIONAL WEAKNESSES AND STRUCTURAL MISMANAGEMENT
Nigeria’s police-to-population ratio remains alarmingly low. With about 371,800 officers serving a population of over 236 million people, the country is well below the United Nations’ recommended benchmark of 222 officers per 100,000 people. This manpower gap severely hampers the Force’s capacity to tackle crime, especially in volatile areas plagued by insurgency and communal violence. To make matters worse, many of the limited officers available are deployed to safeguard high-profile politicians and elites rather than serving the broader public. In rural communities, especially in conflict-affected northern states, residents report waiting hours, sometimes days, for police to respond to distress calls, if they ever respond at all.
Compounding this problem is inadequate training. Many recruits receive minimal exposure to forensic methods, human rights protocols, or community policing principles. As a result, investigative work relies heavily on confessions, which are frequently extracted through coercion or torture. This not only violates constitutional guarantees against inhuman treatment but also produces unreliable evidence that weakens prosecutions.
Logistical deficits are equally damaging. Many police divisions operate without functioning patrol vehicles, secure communication equipment, or modern crime labs. The Inspector General of Police has acknowledged that, outside of Lagos, forensic capability is virtually non-existent. Without scientific investigation, crimes are either left unsolved or result in wrongful arrests, further undermining public trust
FAILURE OF INTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY
In a functioning democracy, law enforcement personnel are subject to robust oversight, both internally and through independent bodies. In Nigeria, oversight mechanisms exist in name but not in consistent practice. The Police Service Commission (PSC), which is meant to handle recruitment, promotion, and discipline, is itself politically influenced and suffers from inadequate funding. Complaints of misconduct often disappear into opaque disciplinary processes, and there is little transparency about the outcomes.
When abuses are too public to ignore, as with the October 2020 End SARS protests, Commissions of Inquiry are established, testimonies are heard, and reports are submitted. Yet, implementation of recommendations remains rare. In Lagos, for example, despite the panel’s findings implicating specific officers in excessive force and unlawful killings, few have been prosecuted. Instead, many have returned quietly to duty. This pattern sends a dangerous message to the rank-and-file officers: violations carry reputational risk but rarely legal consequence.
COLLUSION WITH CRIMINAL NETWORKS
Perhaps the most alarming dimension of enforcement failure is the documented collusion between security personnel and criminal actors. In the Niger Delta, security forces have been implicated in illegal oil bunkering, the very crime they are deployed to prevent. In parts of the North-West, reports from Amnesty International and local media allege that bandit groups pay “protection fees” to avoid military or police raids.
Such collusion transforms law enforcement from an adversary of crime into a stakeholder in it. This is not merely passive negligence; it is active participation in the shadow economy of insecurity. In these areas, communities quickly learn that reporting crimes may not only be futile but dangerous, as information shared with authorities can be leaked to perpetrators.
EROSION OF CIVIL LIBERTIES THROUGH ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES
The systemic lapses in law enforcement also directly erode civil liberties. Arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions without trial, suppression of lawful assembly, and harassment of journalists are not isolated acts but part of an entrenched enforcement culture. The constitutional right to personal liberty under Section 35 is regularly violated under the guise of maintaining public order.
Protesters face preemptive crackdowns, often justified by vague references to national security. During the #Revolution Now protests in 2019, dozens of demonstrators were detained, some for weeks, without formal charges. In many cases, court orders for their release were ignored by security agencies, underscoring the absence of legal consequence for disobedience of judicial authority.
This disregard for civil liberties creates a chilling effect on political participation and civic engagement. Citizens learn that speaking out carries personal risk, and self-censorship becomes a survival strategy. Over time, this quietens public dissent, enabling further abuses by both government and non-state actors.
THE CYCLE OF IMPUNITY
The combination of politicization, corruption, operational weakness, and lack of accountability feeds into a self-reinforcing cycle of impunity. Officers learn that their actions are judged not by legality but by political expediency. Politicians, in turn, see law enforcement as a tool to protect themselves and punish adversaries. Criminal networks exploit these gaps, securing protection through bribery or political patronage.
Once entrenched, this cycle is difficult to break. Each unpunished violation becomes a precedent, normalizing the idea that power grants immunity from the law. This normalization spreads beyond law enforcement to other institutions, eroding the very foundations of democratic governance.
THE ABUSE OF JUDICIAL POWER AND EXECUTIVE LAWLESSNESS AGAINST THE BENCH
In a functioning democracy, the judiciary serves as the impartial referee between the powerful and the powerless. It is the last line of defence for the citizen and the final hope for justice. But what happens when that sacred institution itself becomes the object of aggression? What happens when the enforcers of state power turn their weapons not on criminals, but on the judges who interpret the law? Nigeria confronted these very questions in October 2016, when the homes of senior judges across the country were invaded by heavily armed operatives of the Department of State Services under the cover of night.
These raids, carried out in Abuja, Gombe, and Port Harcourt, targeted some of the most senior members of the judiciary, including Justices Walter Onnoghen and Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court, and Federal High Court judges Adeniyi Ademola and Nnamdi Dimgba. The DSS claimed they were investigating corruption, yet their conduct betrayed a more sinister motive. Homes were stormed in Gestapo fashion, judges were treated like fugitives, and search warrants reportedly carried incorrect names or were not presented at all. The judiciary was under siege. In Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike arrived at the residence of one of the judges to intervene and was reportedly shoved, injured, and threatened by DSS operatives. It was not an arrest. It was a constitutional assault.
I spoke firmly and publicly against this invasion. I said then what I still affirm now: the DSS acted outside the bounds of the law. As I told journalists and as reported by Premium Times, the operation was not only illegal and unconstitutional but a dangerous desecration of the rule of law. No agency of government, including the DSS, has the authority to arrest or search the premises of serving judicial officers without going through the National Judicial Council, which is constitutionally empowered to discipline judges. If there are allegations of corruption, there is a process. That process was willfully ignored. What we saw instead was a show of force meant to intimidate and humiliate. It was executive lawlessness under the guise of anti-corruption.
The greatest tragedy, however, was not merely that these events occurred. It was the manner in which they were received. The Bar, which ought to have risen as a united force, was sluggish in its response. Statements were issued, but no real action followed. There were no mass protests, no urgent court filings to challenge the illegality. The judiciary itself offered little more than murmurs of disapproval. That silence was deafening. It spoke to a larger issue: the slow death of institutional courage. When judges are raided in their homes and lawyers look away, then the entire legal profession stands indicted. If we cannot defend our own, how then can we defend the people?
This unfortunate episode also calls into question the internal health of the judiciary. The Nigerian Law Society recently criticized the widespread abuse of power within judicial institutions, pointing to opaque appointments, poor welfare, and inconsistent rulings. According to their statement reported by the Guardian, the lower courts remain underpaid and under-respected, leaving many judicial officers vulnerable to compromise. It is undeniable that some within the judiciary have failed in their duties, and that corruption has indeed crept into its chambers. However, even in the face of that, the remedy is never brute force. It is lawful accountability, constitutional procedure, and institutional reform. The rule of law must never be sacrificed on the altar of expediency.
When security agents raid the homes of judges without due process, they are not upholding the law, they are undermining it. And when the legal community reacts with silence or justification, it invites a repeat. What began with judges will not end there. Such violations set a precedent that can easily extend to journalists, lawmakers, academics, and eventually, ordinary citizens. Today it is the gavel. Tomorrow it will be the pen, the vote, the voice. That is how authoritarianism begins not always with a declaration, but often with silence.
It is not too late to reset the balance. But we must remember that a judiciary that submits to fear is no judiciary at all. A legal profession that only whispers in the face of injustice is unworthy of its robes. We must return to our roots, as defenders of liberty and protectors of due process. Let the judiciary regain its independence, and let the Bar reclaim its courage. Only then can we begin to restore the broken faith between the Nigerian people and the system that was meant to serve them.
PATHWAYS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDRESSING SECURITY, RIGHTS PROTECTION, AND INSTITUTIONAL WEAKNESS IN NIGERIA
The challenges outlined in this paper reveal a complex web of governance failures, enforcement gaps and systemic disregard for constitutional rights. Addressing these issues requires deliberate and sustained action across multiple fronts. The following ten pathways provide a practical blueprint for reform.
Reform of Law Enforcement Institutions
The Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, and related agencies need deep structural reforms. Recruitment should be based on merit and integrity rather than political patronage. Training should include human rights education, forensic investigation, and conflict-sensitive community policing. The practice of diverting a large proportion of officers to serve political elites must be stopped so that policing resources are redirected toward public safety.
Creation of Independent Oversight and Accountability Mechanisms
A civilian-led oversight authority should be established with the power to investigate and prosecute cases of misconduct by law enforcement officials. This body must have full access to records, the ability to compel testimony, and legal safeguards for whistleblowers. Its findings should be made public to ensure transparency and build trust. (To be continued).
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Money and corruption are ruining the land, crooked politicians betray the working man, pocketing the profits and treating us like sheep, and we’re tired of hearing promises that we know they’ll never keep”. (Ray Davies).
Women of Substance, founded by renowned media consultant Chief Ify Onyegbule (Ada Di Ora Mma), is set to host the maiden edition of the “Sisters’ Hangout”, a strategic networking and empowerment gathering for women across diverse sectors, designed to foster collaboration, visibility, personal growth, and impactful partnerships.
Scheduled as an exclusive lunch-table conversation for Women, by Women, and powered by Women, the Sisters’ Hangout brings together established and emerging voices in journalism, business, education, media, fintech, philanthropy, data science, food services, and grassroots development.
The Hangout has already confirmed an extraordinary lineup of accomplished women, each bringing unique perspectives and deep industry insights.
1. Petra Akinti Onyegbule — Corporate Communications Strategist
Petra is an authority in leadership communication, storytelling, and brand clarity. She will lead conversations on how to keep a brand alive, relevant, and competitive in a saturated marketplace.
2. Theresa Moses — Journalist, Humanitarian & Media Leader
Theresa Moses, Convener of Pad Me A Girl Initiative, Head of Gatmash Media, Chairperson of Nigeria Online Media Alliance (NOMA), and CEO of Vita Baites Foods (makers of premium Kuli-Kuli), will share how she successfully combines media leadership with running a fast-growing FMCG brand.
3. Anthonia Ojenagbon — Founder, Silton African Kitchen
A food service expert specializing in large-scale catering, Anthonia will discuss navigating the pressures of cooking for large events and remaining excellent outside one’s comfort zone.
4. Chioma Iroabuchi — Digital Transformation Leader
Chioma, a driver of fintech-enabled process optimization, will break down the beginner steps into opportunities in the fintech sector, especially for women exploring tech.
5. Oluwatomisin Adebukola — Award-Winning Broadcast Journalist
A leadership coach and community development advocate, she will highlight realities of working in grassroots spaces, and how passion-driven initiatives bring hope to underserved communities.
6. Olayinka Mayaki-Yusuf — General Manager, Shipshape Cleaners Limited
Olayinka will share the business of professional cleaning, project management, and what it takes to thrive in a highly competitive service industry.
7. Temitayo Oluwatobi Adetoba — Data Scientist & Girls’ Education Advocate
Tayo will educate attendees on how data shapes decision-making and why women must tap into the booming data ecosystem.
8. Cordy Nachi Opara — Educator & Relationship Coach
Cordy will shed light on nurturing children with different personalities, and how mothers can be intentional leaders in the home.
9. Chief Yinka Kenny — Broadcast Journalist & Gender Champion
Yinka brings decades of media experience and will reveal the behind-the-scenes challenges faced by women in media, along with strategies for thriving in the industry.
10. Ijeoma Uzozie Mark-Abii — Estate Surveyor & Travel Expert
Ijeoma will demystify the business of tourism and hospitality, sharing what most people are never told about the travel industry.
11. Anusiem DO (Nwachukwu Delphine Onyinye) — Author & Humanitarian
The visionary behind Brisa Women Foundation will highlight stories of women impacted through empowerment programs and the importance of community-driven action.
12. Wemimo Adebiyi — Therapist & Child Mental Health Advocate
UK-trained therapist and educator, Wemimo will engage women on child mental health, school systems, and the power of effective communication at home.
By Ayo Oyoze Baje
“Our goal is to bring the experience of home-cooked Nigerian food to more people, one community at a time. By this, we are celebrating culture and culinary excellence” – Olorunsomo Smart Adeola, aka Alamalla
In a vibrant celebration of culture, food, and community spirit, Amala Spot with Adeola Alamala recently hosted the much-anticipated Amala Day 2025, followed closely by the grand opening of its brand-new AAU Campus Outlet in Ekpoma. The events, held on Friday, 31st October, and Saturday, 1st November 2025, with the outlet officially opening on Monday, 10th November 2025, marked a major milestone for the fast-growing local food brand known for its authentic Nigerian dishes and warm customer experience.
Amala Day 2025 wasn’t just another food event it was a festival of culture, taste, and togetherness. For two full days, from 12 PM to 8 PM, the atmosphere at Amala Spot on Sec School Road, Ujemen, Ekpoma, was filled with excitement, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of freshly served Amala, Ewedu, and Gbegiri.
Customers trooped in large numbers, eager to partake in the special 20% discount offered throughout the event. From students to working professionals and local food lovers, everyone came together to celebrate the timeless Nigerian delicacy that unites people across generations.
Olorunsomo Smart Adeola, popularly known as Adeola Alamala, is a graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, from the Department of Medical Laboratory Science. Long before his university days, he had already been actively involved in the food industry, where he developed a strong passion for culinary excellence and customer satisfaction.
Adeola Alamala, the passionate founder and face behind Amala Spot, described the event as “a moment to celebrate our roots, appreciate our customers, and introduce new faces to the real taste of Amala done right.”
Guests were treated to well-prepared meals featuring the perfect blend of soft Amala, rich Ewedu soup, and the flavorful Gbegiri option. Many attendees commended the brand for maintaining high food standards and consistency while creating an environment that felt like home.
Beyond the delicious food, Amala Day was also about community connection. Adeola and the team interacted directly with customers, creating a friendly, family-like atmosphere. There were light games, cheerful moments, and even spontaneous dance sessions that kept the energy alive throughout the event.
What truly stood out was the spirit of togetherness Amala Spot successfully turned an ordinary weekend into a memory-filled culinary celebration. Patrons expressed their satisfaction, with many sharing positive feedback on social media and promising to return with friends.
One student attendee commented, “Amala Spot isn’t just a food place anymore; it’s a vibe. Adeola and the team made everyone feel special.”
The two-day festival didn’t just end with satisfied customers it also built momentum for something bigger: the expansion of Amala Spot into new territory.
The Launch of Amala Spot AAU Campus Outlet
Barely a week after the successful Amala Day, Amala Spot with Adeola Alamala took another bold step by launching its AAU Campus Outlet on Monday, 10th November 2025, at 2:00 PM, located before Igbinedion Hostel, AAU Campus, Ekpoma.
This new branch, designed as a “Take-Out Only” outlet, represents the brand’s innovative approach to convenience and accessibility for students and staff within the Ambrose Alli University community. The opening day featured a 10% discount on all take-out orders, drawing a crowd of enthusiastic customers eager to be among the first to experience the new spot.
Adeola Alamala expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and explained that the AAU Campus branch was inspired by high demand from university students who wanted easier access to their favorite meals. “We realized many of our loyal customers are students who love our Amala but find it difficult to leave campus often. This new outlet brings Amala closer to them,” he said.
The new outlet is a reflection of Adeola Alamala’s long-term vision to make Amala Spot not just a local eatery, but a recognizable food brand across multiple campuses and cities in Nigeria. The Ekpoma expansion shows the brand’s commitment to growth while maintaining its strong focus on taste, quality, and customer satisfaction.
According to Adeola, the success of the Amala Day celebration reaffirmed the community’s love for authentic Nigerian meals and reinforced the need to spread that joy beyond one location. “Our goal is to bring the experience of home-cooked Nigerian food to more people, one community at a time,” he said proudly.
Both the Amala Day event and the new outlet launch demonstrate the brand’s unique philosophy combining culinary excellence with cultural pride. Amala Spot is not just about serving food; it’s about sharing a cultural experience that connects people emotionally to their roots.
By offering discounts, engaging directly with customers, and expanding thoughtfully, Adeola Alamala continues to redefine what a modern local food brand can achieve. The emphasis on trust, transparency, and consistency has earned Amala Spot a loyal following and positioned it as a leading destination for traditional meals in Edo state.
As Amala Spot with Adeola Alamala looks to the future, the brand’s mission remains clear: to celebrate Nigerian cuisine, promote food entrepreneurship, and create spaces where food, friendship, and culture meet beautifully.
The success of the 2025 Amala Day and the launch of the AAU Campus outlet are only the beginning. With the love and support of its growing community, Amala Spot is well on its way to becoming a household name one bowl of Amala at a time.
Kudos to Alamala for his patriotic efforts to bring a local delicacy, such as Amala to the global stage.
