Sanwo‑Olu Calls for Special Federal Status for Lagos Again

By Henry Obetta

Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu of Lagos State has reiterated his demand for a special federal status for the city, arguing that Lagos still carries national responsibilities despite losing its role as Nigeria’s capital more than thirty years ago.

The appeal was made on Saturday at the first Geo‑economic Optimisation Summit organised by the Citadel School of Government in Lagos, which was themed “From South‑West Nigeria to the Globe: Lagos as a Geo‑economic Hub.”

Sanwo‑Olu said Lagos remains Nigeria’s economic nerve centre and continues to shoulder disproportionate national pressures, including hosting major federal institutions and accommodating a large population.

“We continue to press the case for a ‘special status’ designation for Lagos, grounded in our history as a former federal territory, in our strategic importance to the national economy, and in the immense burdens we carry as home to a tenth of Nigeria’s people,” he said.

The governor also noted that he has 343 days left in his tenure, saying he will devote his remaining time in office to accelerating development across the state.

“Today marks my 2,579th day in service… I have 343 days left in office, and I intend to spend every one of them with the same passion and commitment with which I began,” he said.

Sanwo‑Olu outlined an ambitious long‑term vision to position Lagos as a global human‑capital hub by 2052, stating the state aims to become the first destination for global firms seeking talent in technology, creative industries, and innovation.

He said Lagos already accounts for about one‑third of Nigeria’s GDP and remains one of Africa’s largest metropolitan economies, with an estimated output of $257.59 billion on a purchasing‑power basis.

According to him, the state attracts over 65 per cent of foreign direct investment into Nigeria and hosts several of Africa’s leading tech unicorns.

“Lagos remains the leading destination for technology startups and innovation in Africa. We have the ideas, the talent and the energy needed to compete globally,” he said.

The governor also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Dangote Refinery, Lagos International Financial Centre project, and the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, describing them as key to strengthening Lagos’ global competitiveness.

He added that Lagos is working with neighbouring South‑West states to deepen regional economic integration in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and food production.

Speaking earlier, the founder of the Citadel School of Government, Pastor Tunde Bakare, called for the devolution of economic and political powers to states, arguing that Nigeria’s centralised structure limits development.

Bakare said Lagos’ performance shows that sub‑national governments can drive sustainable growth when given autonomy and institutional support.

“Nigeria cannot attain sustainable development under a system that concentrates excessive authority and resources at the centre,” he said.

He added that the future of Nigeria depends on empowering states to identify and maximise their comparative advantages, stressing that development requires vision, discipline, and institutional continuity.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Citadel School of Government, Mr Omoaholo Omoakhalen, said the summit was designed to promote practical policy discussions on regional economic development, noting that Lagos was chosen as the starting point due to its economic resilience and innovation capacity.

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