Ikeja, Lagos — Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has renewed calls for the Federal Government to grant Lagos State a Special Status, stressing that such recognition is long overdue considering the state’s strategic economic importance and the heavy infrastructural and social burdens it bears for the nation.
The Governor made the call on Tuesday during the Opening Session of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) On-the-Spot Assessment Visit to Lagos State, held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the request for Special Status is not a sentimental demand but a pragmatic necessity, anchored on verifiable data.
He explained that Lagos generates about 33 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and serves as the nation’s primary economic hub, hosting Apapa and Tin-Can ports which handle approximately 89.9 percent of all imports into the country.
Yet, unlike in other countries where the federal government maintains infrastructure around key economic gateways, Lagos is left to fund and maintain critical road networks, utilities, and other facilities by itself.
“If Lagos truly generates 33 percent of the GDP, our efforts significantly impact the nation’s progress. We should not be emotional about this issue; we should act rightly, as is done in every other part of the world,” the Governor said.
Sanwo-Olu cautioned that depriving Lagos residents of essential amenities would not only harm the state but would also have severe repercussions for the nation’s economy.
He also urged the RMAFC to formally recognise the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created in Lagos in 2003, noting that they have been instrumental in deepening grassroots governance and accelerating development.
The Governor stressed that effective revenue mobilisation is critical to sustaining Nigeria’s development goals and ensuring governments at all levels can deliver the services communities rely on.
Speaking on behalf of the RMAFC, Federal Commissioner Prof. Adekunle Wright said the visit was in response to Lagos State’s request for a stabilisation fund to support crucial infrastructure projects.
He assured that the Commission is committed to transparent, data-driven decision-making and equitable resource allocation, acknowledging Lagos’ pivotal role as the country’s economic nerve centre.
Earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, underscored the need for the Commission to continue monitoring statutory allocations to states and local governments to ensure effective planning and sustainable management of national resources.
Oluyomi revealed that Lagos has already invested over ₦1.1 trillion in infrastructure but still faces an infrastructure gap exceeding ₦20 trillion in areas such as security, water, sanitation, food, education, health, and social housing.
“Lagos’ GDP represents about half of Nigeria’s economy. Whatever affects Lagos will inevitably affect the entire nation,” Oluyomi noted.
The RMAFC’s assessment is expected to influence policy recommendations to the Federal Government on resource allocation and possible Special Status designation for Lagos State.
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