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Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged stakeholders to harness clean urban transport innovation and investment to achieve economic development, social equity, and climate resilience.
Sanwo-Olu made this call at the 2025 Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) International Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility, held in Ikeja, on Wednesday, October 8.
The conference had “Harnessing Clean Urban Transport Innovation and Investment in Africa” as its theme.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised the need for sustainable mobility in Africa.
He noted that sustainable mobility is not a luxury but a necessity for achieving economic development, social equity, and climate resilience in Africa.
Sanwo-Olu challenged Africans to think big, act bold, and move together to build a continent that moves efficiently, inclusively, and sustainably.
“Let us harness clean urban transport innovation and investment not as abstract ideals but as instruments of continental renaissance.
“Let us build an Africa that moves efficiently, inclusively, and sustainably.
“By 2050, over 1.3 billion Africans will live in cities. How we move those people cleanly, affordably, and equitably will determine whether our growth is sustainable or self-defeating,” he said.
The governor highlighted Lagos transformation in urban mobility, citing the Bus Rapid Transit corridors, ferry terminals, smart ticketing systems, and upcoming electric bus pilot as examples of what is possible when African cities believe in themselves.
He also mentioned the state’s deployment of a citywide sensor network to track urban transport-induced emissions in real-time.
Sanwo-Olu emphasised that the conference must move Africa closer to a continental Air Quality Alliance, linking African cities in a shared platform of open data for clean air.
He noted that the journey to sustainable urban mobility demands political courage, financial creativity, institutional resilience, and partnerships that cross continents.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, reiterated the state’s commitment to driving Africa’s clean and sustainable transport revolution.
Osiyemi said that Africa’s rapid urbanisation, presents both great challenges and tremendous opportunities for sustainable development.
“As our cities grow, we must prioritise clean, affordable, and efficient mobility for all,” he said.
The commissioner noted that sustainable mobility was key to improving air quality, reducing congestion, and promoting economic growth.
He noted that several African cities, such as Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Cape Town, Accra, and Lagos, are already implementing electric mobility initiatives, non-motorized transport infrastructure, and multimodal public systems.
Earlier, LAMATA’S Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, stated that the conference served as a knowledge hub for policymakers, planners, engineers, researchers, operators, and other key stakeholders at both national and sub-national levels in Nigeria.
She recalled that, in 2024, Lagos State Government, through LAMATA, formally institutionalised an annual conference on sustainable urban mobility.
She said the conference was geared toward fostering synergy, cooperation, commitment, and unity among African governments, businesses, and communities to adopt sustainable transport practices, reduce carbon footprints, and promote renewable energy sources.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, has commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to the development of Badagry, through the inauguration of the Late Sunny Akinsanya Ajose Housing Estate in Ajara.
Hunpe gave the commendation at the inauguration of the project, which was initially started in 2013 by the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) and later transferred to the Ministry of Housing in 2017 for completion.
He noted that the new project, coming barely two months after the inauguration of several road networks, showed the governor’s strong dedication to the holistic development of the Badagry division.
“This is truly a season of bountiful harvest for our people under your purposeful and progressive leadership,” he said.
According to him, the Lagos Homes Project in Badagry is not just another housing scheme but a continuation of a vision first conceived by President Bola Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos state.
“What we see today is that noble dream turned into reality through your hands, the hands of a builder and a doer,” Hunpe said.
He, however, appealed to Sanwo-Olu to help complete some abandoned state projects in the area.
“These include the Lagos State VIP Chalet, Yafin Road Project, Agbovipe–Agadangba–Erekiti Road, the second phase of Hospital–Topo–Idale Road, Aradagun–Mowo Road, Owode–Apa Road, and the Badagry Deep Sea Port,” he said.
Hunpe noted that completing the projects would further cement the governor’s legacy as a leader, who transformed Badagry into a world-class hub for tourism and commerce.
Also speaking, the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi I, represented by Chief Anthony Tunji, expressed gratitude to the governor for completing many projects in the town.
He said the people of Badagry, like Oliver Twist, are asking for more developmental projects.
Similarly, Mr. Bonu Solomon, the lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, thanked Sanwo-Olu for completing the estate and urged him to ensure that indigenes benefitted from its allocation.
Mr. Abdulhafis Toriola, Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Housing, assured residents that their interests would be protected in the allocation process and urged them to continue living in peace and harmony.
The residential buildings are 35 blocks of 12-in-1 buildings (one, two, three-bedroom apartments) making a total of 420 units.
By Oluwatope Lawanson, Raji Rasak, Aderonke Ojediran and Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe
