Five things Governor Sanwo-Olu said in first TV interview of 2025

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday gave his first live television interview of the year, addressing a number of pertinent issues to Lagos residents.

The Governor was a guest on Television Continental’s (TVC) morning show.

Addressing food security, the Governor announced plans to open the largest food logistics hub in sub-Saharan Africa in Ketu, alongside multiple middle-level markets in Mushin, Ajah, Agege, and Ikorodu, to enhance the supply chain and improve food affordability.

Two, the Governor discussed the 4th Mainland Bridge. He said the project will take some time but that the state is making preparatory improvements in areas like Ajah and Abraham Adesanya. Additionally, new projects like the Omu Creek Bridge and Regional Road are being built to ease traffic flow and open new areas for development. These projects are stepping stones toward the 4th Mainland Bridge, ensuring Lagos remains connected and economically viable.

Three, the Governor highlighted the completion of over 27,000 housing units, and his collaboration with the private sector to meet the city’s growing housing needs.

Four, Governor Sanwo-Olu said that Nigerian governors now fully support the Tax Reform Bill at the federal level, which will help increase revenue and ensure equitable distribution across the country.

And finally, the Governor said Lagos State is in full compliance with local government autonomy. According to him, once the Lagos Independent Electoral Commission is ready, the state will be conducting elections in the 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs.

Read a transcript of the Governor’s interview below:

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu:  Thank you very much, and Happy New Year to everyone. Thank you for having me. You’ve got a wonderful space here, and this is the real Lagos. You’ve shown that there’s a possibility if you put your mind to it. Coming into your premises this morning speaks volumes about what the new Lagos looks like and what 2024 and 2025 will look like. TVC seems in tandem with Lagos State’s aspiration—to use all the lessons and challenges of 2024 to shape 2025. We aim to prepare better for citizens, provide opportunities, and transform the tough economic realities of 2024 into positive outcomes in the new year. Lagos is the economic capital of Nigeria and, increasingly, the entertainment capital, attracting diasporan populations not only from Nigeria but across sub-Saharan Africa.

TVC Host 1: That’s a great place to start. Last year, during “Detty December,” we saw a large influx of people, especially those returning from abroad. How does the state intend to harness these opportunities to boost internally generated revenue moving forward?

TVC Host 2: Let’s talk about revenue from taxation. Lagos has shown immense potential in this area, just like the Action Group government of Obafemi Awolowo. However, there’s been talk that governors do not support the Tax Reform Bill. What’s the state of things?

Governor Sanwo-Olu: That’s not entirely accurate. Initially, some governors didn’t fully understand the extent of the reform, but in recent months, we’ve taken the time to educate ourselves and get expert advice. Many governors now see the benefits of the reform, which will help track defaulters and increase revenue across federal, state, and local levels. The bill ensures equitable revenue distribution and focuses on economically weaker areas. It’s a win-win situation. While it might seem complex at first, I believe it’s a fair, national plan. As we stabilize our economy, such reforms will help improve the lives of citizens and create better opportunities for everyone.

TVC Host 3: Lagos attracts people seeking opportunities, but many struggle with housing. What’s the government doing to address this while balancing urbanization and population growth?

Governor Sanwo-Olu: Lagos isn’t heaven on Earth, but we strive to create an enabling environment. We can’t open the doors endlessly without planning; otherwise, we risk failure. Our goal is to share our developmental strategies with other states for organic growth across the country. In Lagos, we’re working with private sector partners to deliver housing projects for different income levels. While finishes may vary, the basic structure and quality of materials must meet safety standards to avoid building collapses. We’ve completed over 27,000 housing units and will continue working to meet the city’s growing demands.

TVC Host 2: What’s the status of the 4th Mainland Bridge project?

Governor Sanwo-Olu: There are different ways to approach a project of that magnitude. Financing a $2 billion project as a subnational government requires central government guarantees, which is a lengthy process. We’ve explored creative solutions to ensure financial sustainability. We’re making preparatory improvements in areas like Ajah and Abraham Adesanya. Additionally, we’re building the Omu Creek Bridge and the Regional Road to ease traffic flow and open new areas for development. These projects are stepping stones toward the 4th Mainland Bridge, ensuring Lagos remains connected and economically viable.

TVC Host 1: And uh, two questions in one that I will be asking you are the matter of food security, what the Lagos State government is doing with regards to that—and then the question is how the state government is working hand in glove with the national government to ensure this matter of local government autonomy.

Governor Sanwo-Olu: Yeah, well, thank you very much. These are clearly ongoing conversations, and we’re very intentional about it. Regarding food security, I’m happy to let you know that Lagos State has taken the bull by the horns. We’re building what we consider the largest food logistics hub in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa.

TVC Host 1: Really?

Governor Sanwo-Olu: Yes. Your team was with us about a month and a half ago when we went on a tour of the food logistics hub in Ketu. If you have it on your tape, you can show it to your audience. It will be the largest food logistics hub in sub-Saharan Africa, and we’ve made significant progress. We should be opening the first phase by the middle of this year, by May or June. This hub is meant to increase food sufficiency and food security in Lagos.

We’re not a food-producing state; we’re food-consuming. So, we intend to have off-take agreements with food-producing states and build large warehouses for both dry and cold food chains. Outside of that, we’re also building what we call middle-level markets. You’ve seen one come up in Mushin, and we’re commissioning two more within the first quarter: one in Ajah and another in Agege. We’re also doing one in Ikorodu.

These food hubs will improve the supply chain. We’re working with big food-producing states like Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Kebbi. Regarding rice, we’ve worked on Lake Rice, and with the rice mill, we’ve also imported brown rice to ensure availability after paddy became scarce towards the end of last year.

The rice mill and the food logistics hub will both be commissioned before the middle of this year. This will address food security, availability, and affordability. For example, if a tuber of yam in Benue costs 400 Naira, it shouldn’t sell for 2,000 Naira in Lagos. At most, it should be 500 or 550 Naira. That’s the kind of transformative food system we’re planning.

Regarding local government autonomy, Lagos has been in full compliance. Since I became Governor, I’ve never touched any local government funds. We collaborate with them, approve their projects, and jointly finance certain initiatives like security. For example, when we supplied security vehicles, the local governments contributed 120 vehicles, while we contributed 170.

TVC Host 1: I’m sure a lot of people want to understand what you mean by letting them breathe.

Governor Sanwo-Olu: I mean we understand they’re an important arm of government, so we don’t interfere. They go through their own procurement processes, identify their own projects, and we only collaborate where necessary. The Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy doesn’t affect our Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). They’ve been part of our system for 24 years, and they’re functioning well.

We’ll be conducting elections in our 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs by the grace of God, once the Lagos Independent Electoral Commission gets ready.