Lagos gives assurance of partnership for investors advantages, developments ~ Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Credit: X | Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on local and international investors to take advantage of opportunities in the state, assuring them of the government’s readiness to partner for development.
He assured investors of his administration’s commitment to providing infrastructure, as well as a safe and secure environment for businesses in the state.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Monday at the Nigeria–UAE Investment Forum, tagged “Investopia Global Africa,” hosted by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile.
According to the governor, his administration has, in the last six and a half years, invested significantly in infrastructure across the state and is prepared to do more through strategic partnerships.
“Lagos is positioning itself, leading the Nigerian conversation, and we are getting tremendous support from the Federal Government because, at the end of the day, all of those investments sit at the sub-national.
“I want to assure all of our local and international investors that Lagos is indeed a willing and ready partner. Whatever the red tapes there are, we are removing them.
“We also want to step back and let the businesses run for themselves. The security environment is safe, sound, and secure,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, as well as ongoing plans for the Badagry Port.
“Lagos State made an investment in the Lekki Port, which is the biggest deep port in the country. We are also making an actual investment in the Badagry Port. It is all about partnerships and creating an enabling environment.
“Lagos State is planning, with the support of the Federal Government, to build another international airport. That is also forward-looking.
“Lagos State is also planning to build the largest logistics hub that will ensure that all of the markets that are in the agribusiness can sit in Lagos and work well,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu further spoke on the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), a joint initiative between the Lagos State Government and EnterpriseNGR, aimed at boosting both the state and national economy.
“We started this journey in 2023. We still have another eight months to a year to finally unveil it. The beauty of it is the amount of global support that we are receiving.
“We are trying to learn from various regions to bring about a model that will be a true African model that will work for everyone, but will also be a Nigerian model. We are actually thinking globally.”
He explained that the LIFC is being designed as a competitive, resilient and globally relevant hub, adding that while it will be based in Lagos, it is intended to unlock investment opportunities for Nigeria as a whole.
“The Lagos International Financial Centre we are talking about is not just about Lagos; it is really a conversation about Nigeria, but it has to be in a city and a place where it can also be attractive and be ready to unlock the investment,” the governor said.
