Gov. Sanwo-Olu Celebrates Lagos Workers

Welcome to this week's update on the exciting developments in Lagos State! I’m your host, Jermaine Sanwoolu, bringing you the latest news and highlights on the growth, progress, and initiatives taking place across our great state. Here’s a roundup of key events and achievements from the past week.

Governor Sanwo-Olu Welcomes Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to APC

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, joined HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside other governors, to warmly welcome Governor Sheriff Oborevwori into the progressive family of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The event reinforced their shared commitment to national growth, unity, and service, emphasizing that together they can achieve great things for the people they serve.

Strengthening African Culture and Collaboration

Governor Sanwo-Olu received members of the International Committee of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC) at Lagos House, Ikeja. The meeting focused on strengthening cultural ties and promoting African music on the global stage.

Enhancing Africa's Air Defense

He also received the Organizing Committee of the Fourth African Air Forces Forum and a delegation from the Nigerian Air Force, led by Air Vice Marshal T.O Yusuf, at Lagos House, Ikeja. The meeting aimed to discuss strategic collaboration and the development of Africa’s air defense capabilities.

Celebrating 20 Years of Chapel Hill Denham

Governor Sanwo-Olu attended the 20th anniversary celebration of Chapel Hill Denham, marking two decades of shaping the financial landscape with exceptional service and expertise. He congratulated the entire team, wishing them continued success and growth in the years to come.

Supporting Nigerian Music at the Headies Awards

He also attended the Headies Awards, celebrating the incredible talent and creativity of Nigerian artists. The event highlighted the power of music to unite, inspire, and tell stories, while reinforcing the importance of supporting the vibrant music industry in shaping the nation’s culture

Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI)

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented the 2025 Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) to beneficiaries at a ceremony held at De Blue Roof, LTV, Agidingbi, Ikeja on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The initiative aims to empower small business owners across Lagos with financial and technical support to drive grassroots economic growth.

Opportunities for Lagos Youth in the Nigerian Army

He urged Lagos youths to seize the opportunity of the ongoing Nigerian Army 89 Regular Recruits Intake for Trades and Non-Tradesmen/Women. During a stakeholder engagement, he emphasized the Army's diverse career opportunities in fields such as technology, law, and medicine, highlighting the state's commitment to supporting successful military enlistment.

Prioritizing Worker Welfare on Workers' Day

He reassured Lagos workers during the 2025 Workers' Day celebration that his administration would continue prioritizing their welfare, highlighting Lagos as the highest paying state in Nigeria. He acknowledged the challenges workers face due to rising costs and tariffs, while pledging continued support and improvements in salaries, training, and overall working conditions.

Public Procurement Reinforcement for Transparency

The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency is taking steps to reinforce due process and transparency in public procurement activities. This move aligns with the #AGreaterLagosRising agenda aimed at promoting accountability and good governance.

Transport Sector Alignment with Lagos Resilience Strategy

Dr. Folayinka Dania and the LASRO team visited the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation to align ongoing and future transport initiatives with the Lagos Resilience Strategy (LRS) currently under review. The Honourable Commissioner emphasized restructuring the strategy by transport modes—road, rail, and water—while incorporating sustainable solutions like CNG and biogas for more effective implementation.

Strengthening West African Cultural Collaborations

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture hosted a high-level delegation from the Ghana Creative Arts Agency to foster cross-border collaboration and strengthen the West African creative and tourism sectors. Both parties emphasized knowledge exchange, joint initiatives, and sustainable partnerships aimed at promoting Afrocentric cultural ownership and regional growth.

Water Infrastructure Improvement Through MOU

The Lagos State Government has signed an MOU with international consortium Belstar and ENKA to rehabilitate and expand water supply infrastructure across the state. Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab stated that the partnership aims to tackle critical water challenges and improve access for residents.

Lagos Health Insurance Excellence Recognized

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has been named Nigeria’s best Health Insurance and Managed Care Government Agency for its excellence in data management and universal health coverage efforts. The award, presented by the Institute for Health Insurance and Managed Care, celebrates LASHMA’s innovative strategies and impactful contributions to health equity in Lagos State.

Empowering Youth and Farmers in Alimosho

The Lagos State Government, through its Centre for Rural Development (CERUD), has empowered youths and farmers in Alimosho LGA with essential skills in fish production. This initiative aims to boost local fish supply, strengthen food security, and promote economic development in the area.

Promoting Quality Education in Lagos

Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, Chairman of LASUBEB, paid an unscheduled visit to several Lagos primary schools on resumption day to assess preparedness, inspect facilities, and interact with pupils and teachers. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to quality education, urging schools to uphold high standards while assuring continued support for teachers and learners.

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Streamlining Pilgrimage with Technology

Dr. Gbolabo Okudero, Secretary of the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, visited Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, to discuss the 2025 pilgrimage exercise and seek support for its success. The meeting also highlighted plans for an automated pilgrimage registration system to improve service delivery and operational efficiency in Lagos State.

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Education Compliance and School Resumption Monitoring

The Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) began monitoring schools' compliance with the 2024/2025 academic calendar to ensure timely resumption for all schools below the tertiary level. Mr. Remi Abdul, Coordinating Director of OEQA, led the team on the exercise, emphasizing the importance of adhering to government directives regarding school resumption.

Strengthening Cultural Development and Creative Collaborations

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has committed to strengthening cultural collaborations with both local and international partners to promote cultural and creative development. Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Honourable Commissioner, expressed the government's eagerness to partner on initiatives like museums, archives, cultural exhibitions, and festival collaborations to enhance Lagos as a leading cultural hub.

Digital Preservation of Lagos’ History with Wikimedia

Wikimedia User Group Nigeria has proposed a partnership with the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) to enhance the digital preservation of Lagos' historical records. The collaboration aims to ensure broader accessibility and safeguard the state's rich history for future generations.

Private Sector Partnerships for Job Creation

The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment is exploring partnership opportunities with Simba TVS to expand job creation and training initiatives. The collaboration aims to empower Lagos youth and contribute to the state's economic growth through strategic private sector partnerships.

Lagos Athletes Shine at African Weightlifting Championships

The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu, commended Lagos athletes for their outstanding performance at the 2025 African Senior Weightlifting Championships in Mauritius. He reaffirmed the state government's commitment to empowering athletes and supporting their pursuit of global success.

Tourism and Cultural Development Through Pelumi Nubi’s Solo Road Trip

The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to promoting tourism and supporting cultural development, as Pelumi Nubi celebrated the one-year anniversary of her groundbreaking London to Lagos solo road trip. The event also marked the launch of her memoir and the premiere of her travel show, "One Week In," which highlights the cultural richness of Africa

Advancing Food Security with Technology-Driven Farming

The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA), is advocating for the integration of technology-driven farming processes to enhance food security. During the 2025 Pre-Season Training, agricultural experts emphasized the importance of AI-powered urban agriculture to increase food production and improve agricultural extension services

LSACA’s Commitment to Health Awareness on Workers' Day

The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), led by Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, congratulated the workforce on Workers' Day and emphasized the importance of health awareness, offering free HIV testing and counseling services. Dr. Animashaun urged both workers and employers to prioritize health, highlighting the agency's commitment to HIV management and the state's ongoing healthcare initiatives.