Lagos Celebrates 2025 Fanti Carnival

Lagos continues to set the stage for transformative growth. Let’s dive into the major updates from the past week.

Strengthening Ties with Entebbe, Uganda

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently welcomed HW Fabrice Rulinda, the Lord Mayor of Entebbe Municipality, Republic of Uganda, to Lagos House, Marina. This important visit signifies a step forward in fostering collaboration between Lagos and Entebbe. Both cities are poised to share expertise, strengthen trade relationships, and work together to tackle common challenges, further solidifying Lagos as a global hub of innovation and partnership.

A Cultural Revival: The Return of the Lagos Fanti Carnival

In a powerful celebration of heritage and community, Governor Sanwo-Olu marked the return of the Lagos Fanti Carnival. This iconic event, enriched by Afro-Brazilian influences, served as a reminder of the city’s rich cultural legacy. With three major attractions—a food showcase, a heritage art exhibition, and a grand parade—the carnival displayed Lagos’ commitment to preserving its cultural roots while embracing modern celebrations of unity, resilience, and tradition.

A Vision for the Future: Infrastructure-Led Transformation

Governor Sanwo-Olu also had the opportunity to speak at Harvard Business School, where he presented on “Building the Future: Lagos State’s Infrastructure-Led Transformation.” This engaging discussion allowed him to share Lagos’ ambitious vision in sectors like transportation, housing, climate innovation, and industrial development. The insightful feedback from Harvard’s students reinforced that Lagos is moving in the right direction to become a beacon of urban transformation in Africa.

Empowering Communities: Vocational Tools for Economic Growth

First Lady Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu empowered 500 beneficiaries with vocational tools to promote self-reliance across various sectors such as tailoring, plumbing, and catering. This initiative, supported by development partners, aims to foster economic growth and empower individuals in Lagos communities.

Educational Reform: Preparing Future Leaders

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, called for a comprehensive redesign of Nigeria’s secondary education curriculum. Emphasizing the importance of education as the foundation for leadership and societal transformation, he urged that it become a national priority to better equip young Nigerians for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Promoting Resilience: Lagos State Resilience Steering Committee

The Lagos State Resilience Steering Committee convened to review the state’s Resilience Strategy. With a focus on emerging challenges and inclusive development, the committee’s meeting highlighted the need for collaborative, research-driven solutions to address the state's infrastructural and social pressures.

Cultural and Tourism Development: Empowering the Arts

The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, hosted renowned artist Adekunle Gold in a meeting aimed at promoting Lagos' cultural heritage. The discussions focused on partnerships to elevate indigenous music and empower youth talent, positioning Lagos as a global cultural hub.

Lagos Fanti Carnival: A Celebration of Afro-Brazilian Heritage

Lagos is gearing up for the return of the Lagos Fanti Carnival, set to take place on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. In collaboration with the Consulate of Brazil, this cultural event will celebrate the rich heritage of Afro-Brazilian returnees with vibrant parades, music, fashion, and cuisine.

Empowering Persons With Disabilities: Advocating for Rights

The Lagos State Government, in partnership with the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), has empowered persons with disabilities through a two-day advocacy training. This initiative focused on educating community leaders and raising awareness about disability rights, domestic violence, and the available support services in Lagos.

Sanctions on Legal Practitioners Acting as Commission Agents

Lagos State marked a significant milestone with the celebration of ILERA EKO Day 2025, emphasizing the state's commitment to Universal Health Coverage. First Lady Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu praised the growth of the Lagos State Health Scheme, which now serves over one million enrollees. Innovations such as telemedicine and the ILERA EKO App are helping make healthcare more accessible to all Lagosians, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to improving health outcomes for every resident.

Promoting Youth Leadership: One-Day Governor Program

In an effort to nurture the next generation of leaders, the Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance hosted the 20th edition of the One-Day Governor Program. This year’s initiative saw Master AbdulAzeez Abdulrahman of Oriwu Senior Model College take on the role of the One-Day Governor, offering a hands-on experience in governance. The program continues to inspire and empower students, helping them develop critical leadership skills.

A Commitment to Quality Education: LASUBEB and Ministry Updates

The Lagos State Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education continues to prioritize quality education for all. This week, the Ministry held a press briefing showcasing the latest developments in educational infrastructure and student enrollment. With the official registration of pupils for the 2024/2025 academic session, Lagos is ensuring every child has access to quality learning, with the aim of building a future-ready workforce.

Industrial Growth: Monarch Alloys Limited Plant Commissioned

In line with its industrialization agenda, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu officially commissioned the Monarch Alloys Limited 3LPE and Concrete Weights Loading Plant in Ikorodu. This state-of-the-art facility will support the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, enhance local content, and create job opportunities. With this new addition, Lagos is positioning itself as a leading industrial hub in Africa.

Supporting Businesses with NG-CARES Grants

The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment continues to support local businesses through the NG-CARES program. This week, the Ministry announced that 2,680 business owners have been empowered with grants to help them recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program’s performance-based approach ensures that aid reaches those who need it most, with plans to onboard an additional 5,500 beneficiaries in the next phase.

Looking Ahead: IFMA Global Africa Conference

Lagos State is preparing to host the 2025 IFMA Global Africa Conference, an important event for facility management professionals across the continent. The conference, scheduled for August 19th–20th, 2025, will showcase Lagos as a leader in infrastructure management and offer a platform for strategic collaboration and innovation in the sector.

Lagos State continues to make impressive strides in various sectors, from cultural preservation and education to healthcare and industrial development. Under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state is on its way to becoming not just the commercial hub of Nigeria, but a model for urban transformation in Africa.