Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has identified the state as a primary force in the advancement of African cities, emphasizing its ongoing transformation and the reshaping of economic trajectories and urban development patterns through rapid expansion.
Sanwo-Olu stated that Lagos is at the forefront of this transformative shift, serving as a clear indication for Africa that the era of urban future has commenced.
"Lagos's trajectory is not merely in sync with Africa's ascent; it is actively defining its urban future," the governor remarked.
He further explained that the Lagos State government, under his administration's THEMES+ agenda, is executing impactful initiatives across key sectors including transportation, tourism, technology, security, and social inclusion.
The governor made these remarks at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum, hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics. The forum, themed "Africa’s Urban Future: Cities at the Crossroads of Growth and Resilience," took place in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Sanwo-Olu, who was the distinguished guest speaker at the event, co-sponsored by Harvard University's Centre for African Studies and the Bloomberg Centre for Cities, observed, "Africa is embarking on a period of historic urban expansion, with its cities growing at a faster pace than any other region globally. Urbanization is occurring at an annual rate of 3.5 percent, fueled by a young population and burgeoning innovation hubs.
"As one of the world's fastest-growing regions (second only to Asia) and holding a significant portion of global critical minerals, Africa is positioned for profound growth. The rapid expansion of African cities is redefining economic pathways and urban development models, with Lagos emerging as a central driver of this transformation.
"The urban futures of both Africa and Lagos are being shaped at this moment, and with the right partnerships and investments, we can construct cities that are innovative, inclusive, and resilient."
Highlighting Lagos's importance as a catalyst for African transformation, Sanwo-Olu noted, "Lagos State has been recognized as Africa's second-largest city by population, following Cairo, Egypt."
While acknowledging the environmental and waste management challenges posed by rapid population growth, the governor affirmed his administration's commitment to addressing these issues through a carefully planned strategy aligned with the THEMES+ agenda.
Sanwo-Olu pointed to Lagos's strengths, including its advancements in rail transportation with the Blue and Red Lines, its vibrant startup ecosystem producing multiple unicorns, and the significant influx of diaspora returning for the holiday season, famously dubbed 'Detty December.'
The governor shared statistics on Lagos's tech sector, stating, "Lagos was recently recognized as the world's fastest-growing tech ecosystem in 2025, hosting over 2,000 startups in Nigeria. In Q3 2025, Lagos State attracted $2.73 billion, accounting for 45 percent of Nigeria's total national capital inflows.
"With 26 tertiary institutions, Lagos ranks among Nigeria's leading states in terms of university presence. The city is home to five FinTech unicorns, each valued at over $1 billion, collectively forming a substantial part of its tech landscape.
"In 2024, Lagos's Internally Generated Revenue constituted 35 percent of Nigeria's total IGR, amounting to $821.9 million (N1.26 trillion). Lagos is home to 10 percent of Nigeria's population, with 40 percent of its residents aged between 15 and 34 years."
The John F. Kennedy Jr Forum, attended by Sanwo-Olu and other global leaders such as Mayor John-Charuk Siafa of Monrovia, Liberia, focuses on how African cities are navigating challenges like climate adaptation, public health, governance, and infrastructure, while also pioneering innovative, context- specific solutions.
The John F. Kennedy Jr Forum is recognized as a platform for influential global leaders who shape international affairs.
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