By Wilson Adekumola
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on investors to partner with Lagos in the economic sector to develop the state and Nigeria.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the call while speaking at Alausa, Ikeja, during a courtesy visit by the African Delegation from World Economic Forum on Friday.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that the state would always be open to partnerships and therefore urged investors to take advantage of the market that Lagos represents.
While regarding Lagos as the commercial hub of Africa and best place to do business, the Governor said that his administration, have attracted a lot of significant investments into the state and it would continue to make Lagos attractive for investors.
The delegation was represented by the Head of Regional Agenda Africa of WEF, Chido Munyati, and the Community Lead, African Regional Agenda, Mrs. Abir Ibrahim.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Sam Egube, maintained that Lagos understands its role not only for development but also as a national asset.
The Governor said, “To lift Lagos requires a combination of partnerships. The responsibility to lift Lagos and Nigeria requires a significant amount of partnerships. So, we welcome the partnership you offer from the World Economic Forum.
“In our 30 years development plan in Lagos, we prioritise sectors that we want to focus on and we want people to participate wherever they are and take advantage of the market that Lagos represents.
“We need a lot of partners that can invest in good projects. Lagos is an investment destination. We have attracted a lot of significant investments into Lagos.”
The Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, who was also present at event, hailed the Delegation for seeking a partnership with the state government.
Olowi said, “We thank the World Economic Forum for the invite to share this opportunity with us and I want to confirm to you that you are in the right place. The way we do things in Lagos is structured around partnership. Make no mistake in terms of where to situate your office in Nigeria, it has to be Lagos; this is where business, growth and economic development are.”
In this same vein, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye, expressed the need of Lagos to partnerships with private sector as the government cannot do it all.
Munyati had earlier said they were offering partnerships with Lagos State government in urban regeneration, housing, transport and mobilising capital for investments in Lagos.
He cited the WEF’s proposition to set up its sub-Saharan centre in Lagos since Lagos is the tech centre in Africa.
