The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Office of Rural Development, has taken a bold step toward strengthening governance at the grassroots by hosting a three-day onboarding program for newly elected Local Government (LG) and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairmen and Vice Chairmen.
The event, themed “Driving Grassroots Development Through Strategic Governance,” was held from August 7th to 9th, 2025, at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, bringing together council leaders from across the state to prepare them for the demands of office.
The program’s core objective was to smoothen the transition process, build the leadership capacity of the newly elected officials, and equip them with the necessary skills, ethics, and governance strategies to deliver on their mandates for the benefit of residents at the grassroots.
The onboarding featured a rich blend of lectures, interactive sessions, and case studies covering diverse aspects of local governance.
Key topics included: Guidelines for Local Government Administration and Public Sector Ethics; Budget and Development Planning for Sustainable Growth; Emotional Intelligence: Leading with Empathy and Insight; Understanding the Role of the Code of Conduct Bureau; Promoting Ethical Decision-Making in Public Service; Harmonising Levies and Improving Revenue Generation; and Public Procurement and Ensuring Due Process Compliance.
These sessions aimed to create a well-rounded understanding of both the technical and human aspects of governance, ensuring the council leaders can lead effectively while maintaining integrity and accountability.
Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, engaged the newly elected chairmen on Effective Communication for Impactful Leadership at the Grassroots.
She also stressed the importance of fostering harmonious relationships with councillors, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and other political appointees, describing it as essential for smooth administration and conflict-free governance.
Hon. Kayode Bolaji Roberts, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, led impactful sessions on Preventing Corruption in Local Government Administration and Strengthening Local Security: The Role of Local Government in Effective Policing and Community Safety.
He urged council leaders to build strong ties with community-based security outfits and law enforcement agencies to curb crime and maintain peace in their jurisdictions.
Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Rural Development, charged the council heads to focus on measurable performance indicators and to adopt innovative strategies to meet the peculiar needs of their communities, emphasizing that grassroots governance thrives when leaders combine policy knowledge with practical, people-centered action.
The program’s significance was amplified by the direct involvement of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who attended on the first day to personally engage the local government executives.
The Governor emphasized visionary leadership, transparency, and fiscal responsibility, charging the council leaders to be proactive in implementing development projects that have direct impacts on their constituents.
On the second day, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat addressed the gathering, reinforcing the importance of teamwork between state and local authorities.
He highlighted how synergy in planning and execution can accelerate development and improve public trust in governance.
Council leaders described the onboarding as both eye-opening and capacity-enhancing, noting that the training bridged the gap between campaign promises and practical governance.
The program is expected to set a new standard for local government administration in Lagos State, ensuring that the 2025–2028 council leadership cycle delivers tangible, people-oriented results.
By harmonizing state-level oversight with local initiative, the Lagos State Government is positioning its LGs and LCDAs as effective engines for grassroots development, capable of driving economic growth, enhancing community welfare, and fostering sustainable peace.
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