Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State hailed the city as a leading force among Africa’s urban centers, noting that Lagos is actively transforming and redefining economic trends and urban development amid rapid growth.

He emphasized that Lagos sits at the forefront of this transformation, serving as a clear indicator across the continent that Africa’s urban future is already unfolding.

The governor highlighted that the Lagos State government, under the THEMES+ agenda, is implementing impactful projects across transportation, tourism, technology, security, and social inclusion.

Sanwo-Olu made the remarks at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum, hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, themed “Africa’s Urban Future: Cities at the Crossroads of Growth and Resilience.”

“Africa is entering a historic urban expansion, with its cities growing faster than any region globally, urbanising at 3.5 per cent annually, driven by a youthful population and rising innovation hubs.

“As one of the world’s fastest-growing regions (second to Asia) and home to 30 per cent of global critical minerals, Africa is poised for transformational growth. Africa’s cities are reshaping the economic path and patterns of urban development with their rapid expansion, and Lagos stands out as a key driver of this transformation.

“Africa’s and Lagos’ urban futures are being shaped now, and with the right partners and investments, we can build cities that are innovative, inclusive, and resilient,” he said.

Emphasizing Lagos’ pivotal role in Africa’s transformation, Sanwo-Olu stated, “Lagos State has been ranked as Africa’s second-largest city in terms of population after Cairo, Egypt.”

The governor acknowledged the pressures of rapid population growth on the environment and waste management, but emphasized that his administration remains committed to tackling these challenges through a well-structured plan aligned with the THEMES+ agenda.