Babajide Sanwo-Olu says the future of Lagos lies in its creativity, resilience and the determination of its people to keep pushing boundaries despite the city’s daily challenges.
Speaking during an interview at an Afropolitan-style event focused on creativity, innovation and culture, the Lagos State Governor described Lagos as a city defined by both “chaos and creativity” two realities he believes have shaped its unique identity.
“You could be in London, Atlanta or Johannesburg and people will ask you the same question: what do you know about Lagos?” Sanwo-Olu said. “People see the traffic, the confusion and the challenges, but they also see a city full of energy, activity and creativity.”
According to the governor, Lagos remains one of Africa’s most original and dynamic cities because of its ability to turn pressure into innovation. He noted that despite the city’s challenges, Lagosians continue to create opportunities, build businesses and influence global culture through music, fashion, film and entrepreneurship.
“The creativity in this city is next to none,” he said. “Everybody knows Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido, but there are thousands of other talented young people in Lagos waiting to be discovered.”
Sanwo-Olu highlighted how Lagos has become a major center for entertainment and culture, referencing large-scale events such as the Wizkid concert at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Fashion Week and the E1 racing event hosted on Lagos waterways.
He revealed that many people initially doubted Lagos could successfully host events on a global scale, but the city continued to prove critics wrong.
“We were never given a chance,” he said while speaking about the E1 race. “But we believed in ourselves first, and that is the power of possibility.”
The governor also emphasized the role of government in supporting the creative industry. While creatives help attract global attention to Lagos, he said infrastructure, security, transportation and policy support are necessary to sustain growth and attract investors.
“The creatives open the conversation, but infrastructure closes the deal,” he explained. “Government has to provide the enabling environment for creativity to thrive.”
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that many creatives often see government as an obstacle rather than a partner. Responding to the concern, he admitted that trust between government and the creative community can sometimes be difficult to build.
“Government can be one of the least trusted institutions,” he said. “But trust comes through consistency, sincerity and engagement.”
He encouraged creatives to continue challenging government while also actively participating in shaping the future they want to see.
“You are the real activists,” he told the audience. “You cannot give up or sit back. Government does not know everything. You need to challenge us and push us.”
The governor warned that complacency could become one of the biggest threats to Lagos’ growing creative momentum. According to him, the city must continue improving and pushing beyond previous achievements.
“We cannot become comfortable with small successes,” he said. “Lagos must continue to raise the bar.”
Reflecting on the pressures of governing a city of more than 20 million people, Sanwo-Olu admitted that leadership in Lagos comes with constant challenges and emergencies.
“There are some calls I don’t look forward to answering,” he joked, referring to calls from emergency and fire service officials. “If the head of emergency is calling me, it means there’s a serious problem somewhere.”
Despite the pressure, he said his long-term vision is to build a Lagos that offers opportunity for everyone a city where people from different backgrounds can succeed and compete globally.
“I want Lagos to become the benchmark,” he said. “If you can work and succeed in Lagos, then you can succeed anywhere in the world.”
Sanwo-Olu added that diversity remains one of Lagos’ greatest strengths and said the city’s future depends on creating an inclusive environment where people can innovate, build businesses and pursue opportunities regardless of their background.
As Lagos continues to position itself as a major African hub for entertainment, technology, tourism and entrepreneurship, the governor believes its energy and resilience will remain at the center of its global appeal.
“There is just something unique about Lagos,” he said. “The spirit of not giving up.”
Source: Afropolitan – YouTube
