The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the infrastructure gap in rural communities, revealing significant achievements in road construction, potable water supply, rural electrification, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of residents across the State.
The disclosure was made by Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
Presenting the scorecard of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the rural development sector, Dr. Agbaje stated that the State Government has continued to extend the dividends of democracy to underserved communities through strategic infrastructure projects and empowerment programmes under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.
According to him, the Office of Rural Development commenced the grading and construction of ten road projects across various communities to improve accessibility, stimulate economic activities, and enhance connectivity in rural areas.
Among the road projects highlighted are the 5-kilometre Ito-Isiwu Road, Adekola Estate Road in Ikola Odunsi, Monsuru Egbeyemi Street/Alhaja Agbaje Street, and Ladejobi Ita-Aleje Street, all within Ikorodu Division.
Other projects include Alhaji Jimoh Drive/Baptist Street in Ijagemo, Oriade, and the 4.3-kilometre Onosa/Onasa Y-Junction–Fokunmade Road linking the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Ibeju-Lekki.
The administration also embarked on the construction of road networks within Ikorodu, Badagry, and Epe, further opening up communities for increased commercial and social activities.
In the area of water supply, Dr. Agbaje disclosed that the Ministry completed fifty-three water schemes across rural communities in Lagos State within the period under review.
The projects comprise twenty-eight Type “A” Water Schemes, fifteen Modified Type “A” Water Schemes, and ten Solar-Powered Type “A” Water Schemes designed to provide residents with reliable access to potable water.
Beneficiary communities include Ifelodun and Olota in Abule-Egba, Ijegun-Egba, Satellite Town in Oriade, Magbon Town in Agbara-Badagry, and Oke Erube in Ikotun-Igando, among others.
Speaking on rural electrification efforts, the Special Adviser revealed that over thirty-five transformers and numerous stand-alone solar-powered streetlights were installed in rural communities across the State to improve electricity supply, boost security, and support economic growth.
Communities that benefited from the intervention include Oluwa Community in Eyin-Osa, Epe; Progress CDA in Egan, Ikotun-Igando; Ilashe Kingdom in Ojo; and several other rural settlements.
He further disclosed that since the inception of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration, a total of eighty rural electrification projects have been awarded across Lagos State, with forty-two completed and thirty-eight currently ongoing.
Dr. Agbaje emphasized that these interventions have significantly enhanced living conditions in many rural and semi-urban communities while creating opportunities for business growth and attracting investments.
The Special Adviser also highlighted the achievements of the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD), which has continued to implement impactful programmes aimed at promoting economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
According to him, CERUD trained and empowered 800 participants in fish production and value addition, 56 participants in honey-bee production, 400 residents in household cleaning products manufacturing, 200 youths in bread and pastries production, 100 farmers in modern livestock management, and 300 youths in branding, website development, and digital marketing.
As part of efforts to improve agricultural productivity, CERUD constructed a modern 24-metre by 8-metre greenhouse facility at its project complex in Igbodu, Epe, and established a cassava processing cottage plant in Igbodu, Imota LCDA, for the production of garri, starch, and other cassava-based products.
The Centre also rehabilitated the Kola Pod Husk-based Cottage Mill at Igbokuta in Imota LCDA and procured new processing machines to improve productivity and support local farmers.
In addition, transformers were installed in ten rural communities, while stand-alone solar-powered streetlights were provided in twenty-three rural communities to improve electricity access and strengthen security.
To further support farmers, CERUD procured and distributed agricultural tools and inputs, including brush cutters, grain planters, cutlasses, hoes, shovels, and pesticides across rural communities.
Dr. Agbaje noted that the various projects executed by the Office of Rural Development and CERUD demonstrate the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, rural transformation, employment generation, and improved standards of living for residents.
He added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to expanding rural road infrastructure, electrification projects, and water supply interventions as part of ongoing efforts to ensure balanced development across all communities in Lagos State.
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