Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated that all 57 local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state operate with full financial autonomy, receiving their allocations without interference from the state government.
Sanwo-Olu made this known on Friday while inaugurating a series of projects executed by the immediate-past Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Dele Osinowo. The governor commended Osinowo for what he described as a strong legacy of infrastructure and community-focused development.
“Local government areas in Lagos receive their full allocations without interference. What we are witnessing here today is the result of that financial independence,” Sanwo-Olu declared.
The governor noted that the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on July 11, 2024, which affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local government councils, had further strengthened the resolve of his administration to ensure that LGs and LCDAs are empowered to deliver services at the grassroots.
He inaugurated projects including the Otunba Bushura Alebiosu Multipurpose Building, Agboyi Community Primary School, Agboyi-Ketu ICT Hub, Oba Taiwo Adesegun Lamina Sports Centre, and four newly completed roads within the council area.
“These initiatives are not just structures; they are symbols of what responsive governance looks like at the grassroots. From Bariga to Badagry, from Ikorodu to Epe, we are steadfastly building a Lagos that delivers and a Lagos that works for all its people,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu encouraged new council leaders across the state to sustain the momentum of grassroots development. “Take up the baton and do even more than your predecessors,” he advised.
He also appealed to residents to safeguard public facilities: “Use them well, care for them diligently, and make sure they remain vibrant centres of your community life for many years to come. I assure you that the government will continue to invest in you and your community.”
Osinowo bows out with ‘parting gifts’
Osinowo described the inaugurated projects as his “parting gifts” to Agboyi-Ketu after eight years of service.
“We are here to show the world that local governments can do it. Local government is the starting point of development. We’ve changed the aesthetic of Agboyi-Ketu and placed it on Nigeria’s map. It is now a template for other local councils across the country,” Osinowo said.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, he noted that the roads inaugurated that day spanned 4.4 kilometres, bringing the total length of completed road projects under his leadership to over 70 kilometres. “In fact, we have been inaugurating projects almost every two months,” he added.
He expressed confidence in his successor, Adetola Abubakar, urging residents to support her as they did his administration.
New LG chairmen take oath of office
On Sunday, Sanwo-Olu presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs of the state at Lagos House, Ikeja. The elections, held on July 12, 2025, produced a new set of council leaders tasked with delivering on grassroots needs.
In his address, the governor charged the chairmen to prioritise development projects that directly impact the lives of residents.
“Don’t let politics distract you. The time for securing votes is over. There is no room for vendetta, no room for pettiness. I expect you to collaborate with everyone in your council and community,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He listed areas of focus for the new chairmen, including road rehabilitation, improved primary healthcare, functional schools, affordable markets, sanitation, youth empowerment, and community security. “Every road you fix, every child you help to stay in school, every water or borehole that you commission, every youth you empower is part of your legacy,” he added.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Robert, congratulated the new chairmen, describing their victories as “a testament to your grassroots appeal and the confidence the people have reposed in you.”
Robert praised Sanwo-Olu for his leadership and commitment to credible local elections. He also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for laying the foundation that continues to shape democratic governance in Lagos and beyond.
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