Opinion
Sanwo-Olu: Governing Lagos Intentionally
By Oluwaseyi Adedotun
Behind the evolving admirable Lagos, is an intentional governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who leaves nothing to chance. Oluwaseyi Adedotun writes.
When Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu assumed leadership of Lagos State, he inherited a sprawling urban engine with immense potential and equally complex challenges.
Yet, what has distinguished his leadership is not merely the scale of projects delivered, but the intentionality behind them – the disciplined alignment of vision, policy and institutions toward a deliberate, integrated and sustainable transformation of Lagos.
From his first day in office, Sanwo-Olu understood that Lagos offers no grace period. Governance demanded real-time problem-solving, visible leadership and strategic foresight.
This lived experience shaped a philosophy that blends hands-on action with long-term planning. It also ensures that policies are not isolated interventions but interconnected levers of development.
Under Sanwo-Olu, intentional governance means that no policy stands alone. It also moves the governance from the pedestal of reactionary to proactiveness.
Transformation efforts in social service delivery like Transport, Education, Art, Culture and Entertainment, Health, Agriculture, Housing, Human Capital and Security and Enterprise Development, are deliberately designed to reinforce one another.
Sustainability is embedded into the architecture of governance, so that projects, institutions and reforms endure beyond electoral cycles.
This philosophy is expressed through the administration’s strategic blueprint – the THEMES Agenda, which integrates Transportation and Traffic Management, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st-Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance, expanded into THEMES+ to embed social inclusion, gender equity and youth empowerment.
Through this framework, Lagos is governed as a living system, where infrastructure powers commerce, education fuels enterprise, culture propels tourism, health safeguards productivity, housing anchors dignity, and governance ensures sustainability.
Specifically, Transportation, the first pillar of THEMES, best illustrates intentional governance in action. Lagos has moved from reactive traffic management to a strategic, multimodal mobility ecosystem integrating rail, road and waterways into a single economic enabler.
The Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2 and the Red Line from Ebute Metta to Badagry have carried millions of commuters, slashing travel times, easing congestion and unlocking new commercial corridors.
It is judicious to conclude that planning for the Green Line and the Fourth Mainland Bridge is not simply about moving vehicles; it is about deliberately reshaping Lagos’ economic geography, reducing logistics costs and integrating dense mainland communities with island business districts.
Sanwo-Olu’s intentionality is also in display in transport investments, which are not incidental, as road infrastructure is intentionally designed to feed the rail system and open up communities that were hitherto disconnected.
The Opebi-Odo-Iyaláro-Ojota Link Road and Bridge, popularly known as the Opebi-Mende Link Road, also exemplifies this intentionality. It created a critical east-west connector, where none existed, linking residential and commercial districts, shortening travel times and unlocking new economic activity.
Across the state, road reconstruction in Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaiye, Amuwo-Odofin and Badagry axis deliberately complement rail investments.
Same as the rail-grade separation bridges in Ebute Metta, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja and Agege. They were embedded in a design that saves lives, unlocks micro-economic hubs and stimulates inclusive commerce.
In Sanwo-Olu’s Lagos, with the intentionality deployed in its design, transport is not just a civic service; it is a strategic tool for productivity, trade and national competitiveness, with link roads ensuring that connectivity is universal, and not exclusive.
Health policy formulation and execution reflects the same intentional integration. The revitalisation of health infrastructure, including the historic Massey Street Children’s Hospital, demonstrates a deliberate commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable and at the same time strengthening Lagos’ human capital pipeline.
Massey is not merely a hospital project; first of its kind in size, it is a strategic investment in child survival, maternal health and long-term productivity.
Alongside the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, “Ilera Eko”, health insurance expansion and modernised general hospitals, Lagos is building a health system that protects livelihoods, reduces catastrophic health spending and anchors economic growth on a healthy population.
Education has also been intentionally reshaped to produce economically empowered citizens, not just certificate holders.
The reintroduction of the Comprehensive Secondary School model and the expansion of technical and vocational education through the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, reflect a deliberate shift toward skills-based learning.
By establishing comprehensive schools where students graduate with industry-relevant competencies, Lagos is deepening its MSME, manufacturing, technology and creative ecosystems.
The intentional approach of Sanwo-Olu to governance is packaging education as economic policy – a multiplier that converts classrooms into engines of national productivity.
In arts, culture and entertainment, the global recognition as one of six Arts destinations for 2026, by Artsy is not an accident. Cultural renaissance, creatives and entertainment sit at the heart of Sanwo-Olu’s economic strategy.
From Day One, the creative sector was positioned as a driver of jobs, tourism, global branding and urban identity.
Several Festivals of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, instituted are well calculated initiatives by the administration, now yielding results in the form of job creation, revenue generation and promotion of commerce and trade among others.
Cultural Festivals such as Adamu Orisa (Eyo) and the Door of Return, etc, are tools targeted at revitalised cultural institutions and offer deliberate support for entertainment and tourism.
Through deliberate effort at preserving the cultural identity of Lagos, Sanwo-Olu’s policies have transformed Lagos into a year-round destination.
In 2026, Lagos will take its place on the world’s art itinerary following its naming by Artsy as one of the top global art destinations, alongside Venice, Sydney and Doha.
With ART X Lagos, the Lagos Biennial and the permanent home of the Àkéte Collection and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, this global recognition is not accidental; it is the product of intentional governance, a model that treats culture as economic infrastructure and identity as a strategic asset.
In agriculture and food security, Sanwo-Olu’s intentionality is equally evident. The Produce for Lagos agreement with Niger State is a regional economic strategy, not a standalone project.
With a ₦500 billion agro-investment window, Lagos is poised to effectively sustain security, affordability and availability, while also empowering farmers beyond its borders.
Multi-level food hubs now create jobs across the edibles value chain, proving that Lagos’s policies are locally relevant yet nationally transformative.
Housing is treated as both economic and social infrastructure. With over 12,000 housing units delivered across the state, the administration has intentionally linked shelter to productivity, reducing commuting burdens, stabilising communities and enabling inclusive growth.
These are not isolated estates. They are integrated developments with premeditation connection to transport, services and jobs. Sanwo-Olu’s intentional manner of governance is reinforcing the fact that housing is central to achieving the Greater Lagos ambition of a 21 Century Mega City.
Likewise, Security under Sanwo-Olu is pursued as an economic enabler. Through institutional coordination, technology deployment and community partnership, Lagos has strengthened safety and public confidence.
Notably, the state has recorded only a single case of bank robbery in the last seven years, a powerful indicator of deliberate, intelligence-driven security governance.
Through the instrumentality of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSSTF), the Sanwo-Olu-led administration has sustained its pragmatic approach to security, by providing logistic and motivational support to all security outfits in the state.
Sanwo-Olu’s policies are the type that adopt responsibility, not because it is under its constitutional obligations, but because it prioritises humanity over administrative bottlenecks and political correctness.
Lagos State Government, through the Fund has donated hundreds of vehicles, boots and other logistics to the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), the Military and other Federal Government-owned security organisations.
The Rapid Response Squad (RRS), a police regiment dedicated to security requests from members of the public, and the Special Environmental Task Force, a mixed uniform squad ensures enforcement of environmental laws.
Social safety is equally intentional. Programmes such as EkoCares demonstrate that inclusion is not charity but a strategy to stabilise society, protect demand and sustain growth.
Through skills acquisition centres, enterprise development programmes and targeted financial support, Lagos has intentionally deepened its MSME ecosystem, especially for women and youth.
In the 2024/2025 cohort alone, 5,309 graduates completed training across 211 skills acquisition centres, while more than 30,000 Lagosians have been trained over the past five to six years.
These are productivity interventions that reduce unemployment, strengthen social stability and expand Nigeria’s economic base.
Sanwo-Olu’s leadership is defined by visibility and service. His administration measures success not by policy documents but by lived realities, resilience, opportunity and the daily experience of Lagosians.
He engages communities, adapts constantly to the city’s complexity and leads with purpose. When asked how he wishes to be remembered, he says simply: “As a leader who gave his all, helped people advance personally and economically, and left Lagos better than he met it.”
Under his stewardship, Lagos has emerged as a global economic heavyweight, with a city GDP estimated at US$259.75 billion (PPP), placing it among Africa’s largest urban economies.
National commendations, including from President Bola Tinubu for landmark rail and infrastructure projects, affirm that Lagos’ trajectory contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s broader development goals.
What defines Sanwo-Olu’s Lagos is intentional governance in action: integration, sustainability and strategic foresight.
From multimodal transport that fuels commerce, to skills-driven education that creates tomorrow’s workforce; from regional agriculture partnerships that secure food systems, to culturally anchored growth that positions Lagos on the global stage; from health infrastructure that protects human capital, to housing that restores dignity; and from security that stabilises society, to enterprise support that expands opportunity, policies are vehicles for transformation.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
It’s impossible for any mortal person to claim that he has not at one time or another felt envious. In other words, everyone somehow has wished they have something other people; friends, partners, siblings, colleagues or even family members, have. It is worthy of note that the Creator of heaven and earth designed the universe in such a way that everyone needs to depend on one another for survival. Nobody has it all.
While one person may be gifted in singing, another might be gifted in praying, healing, speaking or writing. Yet another might be gifted in playing soccer, while another might be gifted in sprinting, tennis, swimming, and more.
As a Human Capacity Development expert, I have come to realize that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. The mistake most people make is to chase what is not chasing them instead of focusing on developing themselves.
When you develop yourself, it will be easy for other people to appreciate and support you, but when you focus your energy on being jealous of what other people have, you deprive yourself of attracting blessings and opportunities to your life. As a Life coach, I always tell my tribe, major on your major and work on your weakness.
Envy is not only when one is jealous of what someone has, it also means greed when one is not satisfied with what one has. Isn’t it true that greed makes a rich man poor and contentment makes a rich man poor. It is important to note that you can’t attract what you hate. If you see anyone thriving, please if you can’t support them, please leave them the way you are instead of pulling them down.
One of the best ways to succeed in life is to know oneself. According to Socrates, “man know thyself”. When you understand who you are, you will understand what’s unique about you, and you won’t be concerned about the activities of others. The benefit of self-discovery is priceless. Self-discovery will help you to make the right choice, it will assist you to unleash your potential, and it will ultimately help you to be intentional with your life.
One of the reasons why envy is paramount is that we don’t practice gratitude and appreciation. Most often, we look towards what we lack instead of looking at what we have. There’s an adage that says, it is because the philosopher was too busy to get to the promised land that he forgot there’s a ditch in front of him and he fell inside. That’s the philosophy of envy.
It’s instructive to note that envy is not only deadly, but also “cancerous” because when it envelops someone, it blinds the person not to see the good in others. Envy, if not properly managed, can cause more than damage.
There was a story about two friends- John and Paul. John woke up one morning to a gleaming new model Toyota Camry in Paul’s garage. He went green with envy, and by the next day, he had the same brand of car in his own garage to prove a point. Unknown to John, he didn’t know that Paul’s car was a gift from his wealthy father-in-law. John on the other hand had to exhaust all his savings to buy his own car just to prove whatever point he had in mind.
At the end of the day, Paul was smiling well and living his best life, but John was experiencing financial challenges that threatened his marriage because of his pride and greed to prove a point. The moral of this message is to desist from competing with people, rather compete with oneself by being better than you were yesterday.
One good reason why envy and covetousness are such terrible afflictions is because what is right for others may not be right for you. If your motivation is to have what others have, your decisions will be targeted at the wrong or goal. Your goal must be self-geared and not to keep up with the neighbors.
It’s instructive to note that we are not on earth to impress anyone, except God. Yes, it’s good to impress our boss at work, our friends, family members, mentors, and benefactors, etc., it should be done with moderation. What is important is for one to know the intention behind whatever they are doing. This is because when you try to please man, you’ll fail, but when we try to do the right thing, everything will fall in place. According to Bill Cosby, I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone. Moral: Just do you and everyone will be fine because at the end of the day, those that care, don’t matter and those that matter don’t care.
In conclusion, as you journey towards life, please avoid envy, run from it and be satisfied with what you have.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Everyone experiences life in different ways. There’s absolutely nobody on planet earth who hasn’t encountered situations or circumstances that shaped them or gave them different perceptions of life. No matter how we try, we can’t run away from problems. A friend once jokingly said, problems are like women; they are the “necessary evil” you can’t avoid, especially when they have an interest in you.
We all experience life in our families, relationships, academics, spiritual life, careers, health, and even personal life. But what makes the ultimate difference is how we’ll react to it.
Let me explain a little bit using a case study of family, health, career, academic, spiritual, and personal aspects.
Family
It’s instructive to note that what makes a family is secret, so imagine a case where the secret of a family is divulged. There’s bound to be problems that will arise. Another scenario is when a family experiences the death of a loved one. I think that’s one of the most painful experiences one can ever experience because losing a loved one is no joke. The death of a family member can shatter a family if not properly managed.
Imagine a case where the head of the family, say a father, passes to glory and his wife is not financially stable to manage the family. The children will experience challenges that will shape their future. The question we need to ask ourselves is, how do we manage death when it happens?
Health
Another scenario that can shape us is our health. Health is so important that without it, one will not be able to function properly. There have been life-threatening health cases that lead to the untimely death of a sick patient. The question we need to ask ourselves is: how do we respond to these health challenges when it comes to us?
Career
Do you know your career can serve as an encounter which can shape you? Yes, an encounter is like an experience which can make one not remain the same. Do you also know that your career can make or mar you? Yes, while one’s career can serve as an instrument to one’s success, it can also lead to the demise of someone, especially if it’s not a purposeful career befitting the person.
Academic
Some schools of thought say that examination is not the true test of knowledge. There have been situations where one’s academic background can metamorphose them in the right direction, especially when one is intentional and purposeful in their chosen academic pursuit, and there have been scenarios when someone ventured into academic pursuits that are not suitable for them.
I was once a victim of this ugly experience when I ventured into Taxation Law at New York Law School. Despite earning a scholarship in the program, I knew for a fact, assuming I got a job, it won’t be fulfilling because I will be a victim of defective success.
Spiritual
One of the most defining moments of one’s life can be seen in their spiritual life. It’s sad to see most people playing with their spiritual life. They fail to realize that spirituality controls the physical. When we talk of spirituality, there are two types. Those for God and those for gods. It’s always good for one to align to one side, but as a matter of advice, it’s always good for one to stay on the side of God.
There are many situations that would have ended one’s life, but due to one’s neglect of one’s spiritual life, the life can be cut short. Question: How do you respond to spiritual things when spiritual forces push you around?
Personal
Last but not least is our personal life. How we respond to life challenges in our academic, health, finance, relationship, career, or even spiritual life can determine how far we go in life. Remember, it’s instructive to note that it is our attitude and not aptitude that will determine our altitude to life.
The big question we need to ask ourselves now is: how do we respond to these challenging circumstances or issues? The answer is attitude. You’ll agree with me, you may not always be able to choose your circumstances, but you can choose to respond to them.
There was a touching story about a man who was unjustly and wrongfully convicted for murder, and he spent many years in prison awaiting trial, another fifteen years for final judgment to be delivered, and yet another ten years on death row. In all this travail, he managed to keep his sanity.
Finally, on the day he was to be executed, fresh evidence indicating his innocence prompted the governor to order his immediate release. At the prison gates he sad “ all a man can be taken from him, except the last form of the human freedoms, -the power to choose one’s attitude in all circumstances”.
Do you see, life is not really about what happens to us, but how we react. That’s what will make the difference.
In conclusion, regardless of how life challenges, circumstances, and situations push you around, just have a good attitude and outlook to life. Don’t allow it to weigh you down.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“True leadership in Africa is not the pursuit of power, but the courage to serve — to turn the pain of yesterday into the promise of tomorrow, to bind broken hearts into one destiny, and to raise a continent where every son and daughter can stand tall, not by pulling others down, but by lifting one another higher.” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
Building upon the foundational principles and practical pathways discussed in Parts 1 and 2, this continuation explores the deeper implementation strategies, institutional reforms, cultural shifts, and long-term vision required to translate African leadership into tangible, sustainable transformation. It addresses the realities on the ground while offering forward-looking, actionable recommendations that can help Africa move from potential to performance on both regional and global stages.
Institutional Reforms as the Backbone of Transformative Leadership
Visionary leadership without strong institutions is like a beautiful dream without a foundation. Africa’s progress depends on building institutions that are resilient, transparent, and people-centred.
Leaders must prioritise civil service reform, judicial independence, and anti-corruption mechanisms that are not only punitive but preventive. For example, Rwanda’s use of performance contracts (imihigo) for public officials has created a culture of accountability and results. Similarly, Ghana’s strong electoral commission and relatively independent judiciary have helped sustain democratic stability. These models show that when institutions are strengthened, leadership becomes less about individual charisma and more about systemic effectiveness.
Regional institutions such as the African Union, ECOWAS, SADC, and the East African Community must also be reformed. They need greater financial autonomy, faster decision-making processes, and clearer enforcement mechanisms. The African Union’s current efforts to reform its Peace and Security Council and operationalise the African Standby Force are steps in the right direction, but they require consistent political will and adequate funding from member states.
Cultural and Mindset Transformation
Leadership that builds Africa must also transform mindsets. Many of the continent’s challenges are rooted in colonial-era thinking, dependency syndromes, and a culture of short-termism.
Progressive leaders should invest in cultural renewal programmes that celebrate African excellence, innovation, and resilience. This includes supporting the creative industries — Nollywood in Nigeria, Afrobeats music, and contemporary African literature — which are already projecting positive African narratives globally. Educational systems must move beyond rote learning to foster critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Youth leadership development is particularly crucial. With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the continent’s future depends on preparing young people not just for jobs, but for leadership. Initiatives like the African Union’s Youth Agenda and national youth service programmes should be expanded and made more impactful.
Economic Transformation and Self-Reliance in Practice
True self-reliance requires deliberate economic restructuring. Leaders must champion value addition in agriculture, mining, and natural resources. Instead of exporting raw cocoa, cotton, or crude oil, African countries should invest in processing facilities that create jobs and capture more value domestically.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a historic opportunity. When fully implemented, it can boost intra-African trade, reduce dependence on external markets, and create new industries. Leaders who actively remove non-tariff barriers, harmonise standards, and invest in cross-border infrastructure will be remembered as the architects of Africa’s economic renaissance.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be strengthened, with clear frameworks that protect national interests while attracting responsible investment. Countries like Morocco and Ethiopia have shown how strategic industrial policies can attract foreign direct investment while building local capacity.
Global Relevance: Africa as a Solution Provider
Africa must stop seeing itself solely as a recipient of global solutions and begin positioning itself as a contributor. The continent’s vast renewable energy potential, youthful population, and rich biodiversity give it unique advantages in addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, and digital innovation.
Leaders who understand this will invest in research and development, patent African innovations, and engage confidently in global forums. The success of African pharmaceutical companies during the COVID-19 pandemic and the growth of African tech unicorns demonstrate that the continent can compete and lead when given the right environment.
A Balanced and Hopeful Conclusion
Africa stands at a historic crossroads. The challenges — poverty, inequality, climate vulnerability, and governance gaps — are real and significant. Yet the opportunities — a youthful population, abundant natural resources, cultural richness, and growing regional integration — are even greater.
Leadership remains the decisive variable. When leaders rise above narrow interests to serve the collective good, Africa does not just survive — it thrives and offers the world new models of resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth.
The path forward requires a new covenant: between leaders and citizens, between nations and regions, and between Africa and the global community. This covenant must be rooted in trust, mutual accountability, and shared vision. With the right leadership — courageous, ethical, inclusive, and strategic — Africa can forge a new era of self-reliance, unity, and global relevance.
The question is not whether Africa can rise. The question is whether its leaders, supported by an awakened citizenry, will summon the will, wisdom, and courage to make that rise unstoppable. The world is watching, and history is waiting to record the choices made in this decisive decade.
Africa’s story is still being written. With visionary leadership, it can become one of triumph, dignity, and global excellence.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a globally recognized scholar-practitioner and thought leader at the nexus of security, governance, and strategic leadership. His mission is dedicated to advancing ethical governance, strategic human capital development, resilient nation building, and global peace. He can be reached via: tolulopeadegoke01@gmail.com, globalstageimpacts@gmail.com
