Governor Sanwo-Olu Expresses Confidence in Nigeria’s Future
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has voiced his belief that Nigeria can overcome its current security and developmental challenges, encouraging citizens to maintain unity in the pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous nation.
During a one-day lecture organized by the Arewa Think Tank to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary at the Arewa House Auditorium in Kaduna, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that a stronger and more united Nigeria can only be achieved through homegrown, bottom-up reforms.
He called for the implementation of state policing, local government autonomy, and infrastructure projects that connect cities and open up rural areas, describing these as essential elements for national growth.
The event, themed “65 Years of Nigeria’s Independence: The Journey So Far with the Renewed Hope Agenda in View,” was chaired by former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim Pius, and attended by notable figures including former governors Bisi Akande, Olusegun Osoba, Mukhtar Ramalan-Yero, and Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
Sanwo-Olu, who delivered the keynote address, urged political leaders to build upon the legacy of Nigeria’s founding fathers such as Sir Ahmadu Bello and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, stating that leadership involves “constantly improving, fine-tuning, reforming, and planting trees we might not be around to enjoy.”
“We shall defeat every challenge—poverty, hunger, and, as the President himself has assured us, terrorism,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“The things that bind us together as a people are far greater than anything that seeks to divide us. God has put us together for a purpose, and we shall achieve that purpose without distraction or division.”
The governor dismissed external claims about religious intolerance in Nigeria, affirming that the country remains “a proudly multiethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural nation.”
Sanwo-Olu praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for introducing bold fiscal and structural reforms, describing the Renewed Hope Agenda as “a clear testament to visionary leadership” and an extension of the ideals of Nigeria’s early statesmen.
He stated that the agenda, focused on economic diversification, security, infrastructure, human capital development, and governance reform, aligns with the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s long-term vision.
“At the state level, we’ve aligned our THEMES+ agenda in Lagos with these same pillars,” he explained.
“This unity of purpose across federal and subnational governments is critical to fast-tracking Nigeria’s development.”
The governor commended Tinubu’s removal of petrol subsidy, exchange rate unification, and the enactment of four tax reform laws, calling them “a hard reset of the Nigerian system — away from wasteful consumption toward efficiency and productivity.”
According to him, these fiscal policies have increased national revenue, enabling state and local governments to deliver more to the people.
“Federal allocations to states have risen by 65 per cent between 2023 and 2024, while allocations to local governments have grown by 47 per cent,” he said. “Under the new tax laws, states now receive 55 per cent of VAT and local governments 35 per cent—reducing the Federal Government’s share to just 10 per cent.”
Sanwo-Olu also recognized Tinubu’s commitment to true federalism, particularly his administration’s legal push for local government financial autonomy, which recently secured a landmark Supreme Court judgment.
He added that the President’s next focus is restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture through state policing, which would allow subnational governments to play a greater role in safeguarding their citizens.
“When President Tinubu sets out to achieve a fundamental reform, we know that, regardless of the odds, he will achieve it, working with and carrying along all stakeholders,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He described Tinubu as “a veteran unifier and bridge-builder,” adding that the Renewed Hope Agenda itself is “about building bridges of reform, development, prosperity, and national unity.”
“Our challenges are great, but our resolve is greater. With unity, purpose, and the Renewed Hope Agenda guiding us, Nigeria will rise stronger and more resilient than ever before.”