Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that the Lagos State Development Plan 2052 is more than a subnational strategy but a national asset that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030 and positioning the country as a global power.
The Governor made this assertion while delivering the maiden Distinguished Lecture Series of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos. The lecture, themed “Lagos, Nigeria 2030: Projections of a World Power,” was the first in the institute’s history to be delivered by a sitting Lagos State Governor.
Sanwo-Olu described the Lagos Development Plan as anchored on four pillars — a thriving economy, modern infrastructure, a human-centric city, and effective governance. He said the plan articulates Lagos’ ambition to become Africa’s model mega city and a global financial hub that is safe, secure, functional, and productive.
“Lagos’ development agenda aligns seamlessly with national goals, providing a model for transformative governance, innovation, and competitiveness,” Sanwo-Olu said, stressing that synergy between national and subnational strategies is critical for sustainable growth.
Reaffirming Tinubu’s economic targets, the Governor noted that Nigeria’s 2030 vision includes achieving a $1 trillion GDP, ending gas flaring in line with the Paris Agreement, and generating one-third of electricity from renewable energy sources.
Sanwo-Olu defined global power as multidimensional, encompassing economic strength, diplomatic clout, technology, culture, defence, demography, and natural resources. He argued that investments in infrastructure, innovation, and human capital will determine Nigeria’s global standing.
The Governor further linked Nigeria’s long-term growth to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which also set a 2030 deadline. “2030 brings to mind the SDGs — seventeen pivotal goals meant to transition humanity into a truly just, equitable, and prosperous world,” he said.
In his welcome remarks, NIIA Director-General, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, hailed the lecture as historic and described Lagos as a global growth centre. He noted that Lagos, with a population of more than 22 million, stands as a flagship among cities worldwide.
“There are very few global powers and Lagos ranks high among them,” Osaghae said. “There are five cities named Lagos in the world, but Nigeria’s Lagos is the flagship in terms of development and its potential to lead globally.”
The NIIA DG praised Lagos’ leadership across civil society, judiciary reforms, and economic vibrancy, calling it a “model city and a hub for the entire universe of humanities.”
In a major announcement, Osaghae disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu had accepted to endow a Foreign Policy School at the NIIA, to be named the Babajide Sanwo-Olu School of International Affairs.
With its forward-looking policies, economic dynamism, and growing global influence, Lagos is positioning itself not only as Nigeria’s economic nerve centre but also as a key driver of the country’s quest for global power status by 2030.