SANWO-OLU’S BUDGET OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The 2025 Appropriation Bill represents a bold road map for Lagos’ future, reckons JAMES ADELAKUN

Lagos State has long stood out as a beacon of resilience, innovation, and growth. Under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the city has witnessed significant strides in various sectors, from transportation and housing to healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability.

As the governor presented the 2025 Budget of Sustainability, the Chief Executive of Lagos State reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Lagos remains a global model for urban development and governance.

To the admiration of millions of Lagosians and observers, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has undertaken a comprehensive approach to development, focusing on building infrastructure, empowering citizens, and leveraging technology and innovation to address Lagos’ challenges.

Since 2019 when he got into the saddle of leadership of Lagos State, the governor has left no one in doubt of his commitments to bequeath enduring and building on the exemplary legacies of his predecessors. This was further entrenched recently during the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Lagos State House of Assembly, marking a significant step in his administration’s vision for a Greater Lagos.The fiscal plan not only addresses the immediate needs of Lagosians but also sets the foundation for long-term shared prosperity and progress of Lagos State.

In his address, the governor highlighted the collaborative efforts of the 10th Lagos State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, recognizing their dedication to driving the state’s transformative agenda, whilst also outlining the challenges and opportunities facing Lagos, emphasizing the need for bold, forward-thinking actions to ensure the city thrives in the decades to come.

In achieving the greater good for the larger number of Lagosians, the governor creatively focused on five key pillars: infrastructure sustainability, economic diversification, social inclusion and human capital development, environmental sustainability, governance and institutional reforms.

Lagos’ rapid population growth has underscored the critical need for durable and adaptive infrastructure. Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining and expanding critical infrastructure in the state, like road networks, bridges, and rail systems, which are ultimately targeted to resolve urban mobility challenges.

He expanded the scope of the infrastructure upgrade to also include drainage systems, to mitigate flooding and other climate-related challenges. Additionally, investments in digital infrastructure, in alignment with the Lagos 21st-century megacity agenda was also of paramount importance to the government of Sanwo-Olu.

These initiatives are a continuation of the administration’s achievements, such as the completion of the Red Line Rail Project, which has already begun to revolutionize transportation in Lagos.

Transportation has been at the heart of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s agenda, recognizing its critical role in improving quality of life and driving economic growth. His administration achieved a historic milestone with the completion of the first phase of the 27-kilometer Red Line rail. This groundbreaking project connects Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo in Lagos and includes eight strategically located stations integrated with major bus terminals such as Ikeja, Oshodi, and Yaba.

With passenger operations commencing in October 2024, the Red Line is set to serve 500,000 passengers daily, significantly reducing travel time and easing congestion. Simultaneously, Phase 2 of the Blue Line rail, extending from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, is underway. Future plans include the 68-kilometer Green Line, linking Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, further demonstrating the administration’s commitment to an efficient and interconnected Lagos.

On the roads, the Traffic Management Intervention Plan (TMIP) has delivered 49 completed junction and corridor improvement projects, while 11 more are underway. The Ikeja underpass, Allen/Toyin Roundabout, and laybys at Ketu are just a few of the interventions easing gridlock. Additionally, 36 road projects have been completed, with 51 others under construction, ensuring a robust and accessible road network across the state.

As Lagos’ population continues to grow, housing has become a pressing concern. Governor Sanwo-Olu has risen to the challenge, delivering thousands of housing units to meet diverse needs. The Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme added 270 units, while the Rising Lagos Apartments and LBIC/WGC Greater Lagos Flats contributed 204 modern two-and three-bedroom apartments. Also among the landmark achievements are the Ibeshe Housing Scheme, and other affordable housing schemes ongoing across the state.

Sanwo-Olu’s administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to healthcare by expanding and modernizing facilities across Lagos. The New Massey Street Children’s Hospital, set to be the largest pediatric hospital in West Africa, is nearing completion, promising to deliver world-class care.

Additionally, a 280-bed General Hospital in Ojo, a psychiatric hospital in Ketu-Ejinrin, and upgrades to Ibeju Lekki and Lagos General Hospitals are well underway. An Oncology Centre at Gbagada General Hospital, focused on cancer treatment, is also being developed, ensuring that specialized care is accessible to Lagosians.

These investments represent a holistic approach to healthcare, combining infrastructure upgrades with improved service delivery to meet the growing demands of Lagos’ population.

On youth empowerment, recognizing the vital role of youth in Lagos’ development, Sanwo-Olu has launched numerous empowerment programs. Initiatives such as Lagos Innovates and the Lagos State Employability Support Project provide young entrepreneurs with funding, training, and mentorship to succeed in a competitive global economy.

Agriculture has also received attention through the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (L.A.P.), Youth Homestead Farming, and Agri-Innovation Clubs. These programs aim to boost food security, create jobs, and diversify the economy by encouraging youth participation in agriculture.

Moreover, the Lagos Market Trader Money Initiative, which provided financial grants to 15,000 traders, underscores the administration’s commitment to empowering informal sector workers, the backbone of Lagos’ economy.

Related to this is solidifying Lagos’ position as Africa’s startup capital, hosting six of the continent’s eight technology unicorns. Governor Sanwo-Olu has championed initiatives like the Premier Fintech Timbuktoo Hub, which mobilizes $1 billion for skills development and job creation in partnership with the federal government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Digital transformation has been a focal point, with the introduction of platforms such as the Lagos Revenue Portal, Land Administration e-Portal, and the Lagos Citizens’ Portal, all designed to enhance service delivery and transparency. Infrastructure projects like the KITE Yaba Hub and a new Tier 3 Data Center further emphasize Lagos’ ambition to lead in technology and innovation.

The 2025 Appropriation Bill represents a bold and strategic road map for Lagos’ future. By addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization, climate change, the budget lays the foundation for sustainable growth and development.

 Adelakun writes from Lagos