I stepped away from the usual business of governance to walk the runway for the incredibly talented Ugo Monye at Lagos Fashion Week.

Lagos continues to grow as a home for fashion, creativity and culture and I am always happy to support the people driving this growth.

Earlier today, I joined leaders across the financial sector at the 2026 Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Fellowship Investiture.

Congratulations to the new Fellows and I commend CIBN for its continued contribution to the growth and professionalism of Nigeria’s banking sector.

I was glad to join the Grand Finale of the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Awards and celebrate the teachers who continue to make a difference in the lives of our children.

I commend Nigerian Breweries Plc for its consistent investment in education and its commitment to at the heart of it. Year after year, this platform stands out as one of the most credible ways we recognise and celebrate true excellence in teaching.

Our teachers deserve our recognition and support. Their work shapes the future of our children and the future of our nation. We must continue to invest in them and give them the support they need to do even more.

I had a great time joining the Medical Guild Lagos to celebrate its centenary. Receiving a legacy award from a body that has spent 100 years caring for Lagosians means a great deal to me.

Even more special was seeing my wife, Ibijoke, receive an award of her own in recognition healthcare and advocacy.

Our doctors and health workers remain the backbone of Lagos. We will continue to support them, upgrade our healthcare facilities and make quality healthcare accessible to everyone in our state.

Thank you to the Medical Guild for the honour and congratulations on 100 remarkable years.

Most of you know this story, but none of you have heard it from me.

Back in September 2018, Femi Hamzat wanted to be Governor of Lagos State. He had thirteen years of public service under Asiwaju and BRF, with the record and backing to win. Then party leaders asked him to step a rare man to put down what he wants without nursing a grudge. Femi shook my hand and five weeks later, agreed to run beside me. I have never forgotten that.

Anyone can read a CV but only the person in the room with a man when the cameras leave can tell you who he really is. For 2,711 days, I have been in that room with him.

When COVID-19 hit, when we faced our hardest weeks, when the Blue and Red Lines ran and when the Lekki Deep Sea Port opened, Femi was there. Long before any ribbon was cut, he was asking the tough questions an engineer asks.

In many states, deputies are kept in reserve. On day one, Femi promised to be the best deputy governor in Lagos history. He kept his word. In seven years, there has not been a single day I wondered whose side he was on. We have had one government, one direction, and one voice.

Lagos runs on a relay system. The baton is never passed to a runner standing still. You run at full speed inside the exchange zone, together, before the pass. That is how Lagos has been governed for 27 years, from Asiwaju to BRF, to Ambode, to me.

Femi is a deputy governor like no other. He built the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge under Fashola, digitized government under Asiwaju and holds a doctorate in engineering. His father served Lateef Jakande. This is in his blood.

Critics say Lagos keeps choosing from the same pool. I say Lagos trains its people. With major projects underway and a master plan stretching to 2052, this is not the time to experiment. What Femi presents today is not a campaign promise cooked up on a bus, it is the next leg of a race we have been running since 1999.

Lagos does not hand the baton to a man standing still. Today, you have seen the man who is already running. Let us move forward together with The Lagos PROMISE.

My brother, Deputy Governor @drobafemihamzat , has been a dependable partner and friend throughout our journey in serving Lagos.

Over the years, we have shared the responsibilities, the challenges, the difficult moments and the joy of seeing our collective efforts make a onship is one built on genuine friendship, trust, loyalty and years of standing together.

I am grateful for the brotherhood we share and proud of all we have achieved together. The journey continues and I am glad to have walked this path with you, my brother.

On behalf of my darling wife, Ibijoke, the government, and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, on his 83rd birthday.

I celebrate Oba Akiolu for the impactful and purposeful life he has lived as the Oba of Lagos for an epitome of dedication and selflessness in public, community and national service.

He has displayed exemplary leadership in Lagos as the Permanent Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. I salute his passion and commitment to the growth and development of our dear Lagos State.

He has used his wealth of experience and knowledge to contribute to the peace, progress and development of Lagos State for many decades. His commitment to the preservation and promotion of our rich cultural heritage and history is unparalleled.

As HRM Oba Akiolu celebrates his 83rd birthday today, I pray that the Almighty God will continue to bestow on him good health, wisdom, knowledge and understanding for a continuous reign of peace and prosperity in Lagos.

Today, I welcomed Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, Chief Executive Officer of the French Development Agency (AFD Group), to Lagos House, Marina, where we spoke about our longstanding partnership and opportunities to deepen our collaboration.

AFD has been an important partner in n in Lagos. Alongside the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other development partners, we are making progress on the OMI-EKO project, which will expand our waterways network and introduce modern electric ferries. By connecting water transport with our rail and road networks, we are working to reduce travel times, ease traffic congestion and give Lagosians more reliable and cleaner ways to get around the state.

I appreciate AFD’s continued confidence in Lagos and its dedication to our development. We have achieved a great deal together and I look forward to strengthening this relationship as we work to build a transport system that better serves our growing population.

Today, I received the leadership of CMA CGM Nigeria Shipping Limited, led by Mr. Ramon Fernandez, Group Executive Vice President (Finance), and Ms. Adeline Gabillaud, Regional Director, Africa, at Lagos House, Marina.

CMA CGM already plays an important role in the operations of and I welcome the company’s interest in expanding its investments in Lagos. It is also Mr. Fernandez’s first visit to Lagos and I was happy to share our state’s growth story with him.

Lagos is open for business. We are removing bottlenecks to improve the ease of doing business and we are devoted to helping every investor succeed here. As maritime and shipping operations expand across our state, I also urged the team to prioritize hiring and training local talent to build lasting capacity within our communities.

We will continue to support serious investors and work with them to turn opportunities into jobs, growth and lasting value for our people.

I joined business leaders at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce Executive Business Breakfast Meeting to discuss the future of Lagos, business, investment and global competitiveness.

Lagos has what it takes to attract more investment and strengthen its position as one of ic hubs. To achieve this, we must build strong partnerships with the private sector, create policies that support businesses and provide an environment where companies can grow and create jobs.

Our focus is to make Lagos a place where investors have confidence and where economic growth translates into real opportunities for our people.

During a fireside chat, I also answered questions about the work we are doing. We have expanded our rail network with the Blue and Red Lines, upgraded key roads across the state and moved essential government services online to reduce delays and corruption amongst other major infrastructural projects.

We are actively laying the physical and digital tracks so your capital can work harder and faster here than anywhere else in the region.

If you are looking for growth, do not wait on the sidelines. Partner with us, invest in Lagos today and let us build Africa’s most dynamic economy together.

Today, I flagged off the enforcement of Executive Order EO/BOS/01 of 2024 and unveiled the Lagos Private Health Plans (LPHP), which will extend health insurance coverage to salaried workers and corporate organisations, complementing our existing Ilera Eko scheme for vulnerable the informal sector.

Healthcare costs are rising rapidly and relying on cash payments when an emergency strikes simply does not work. We are changing that system today so that quality care is accessible to all without putting your life savings at risk.

We are giving every resident until December 31, 2026, to get covered, with formal enforcement beginning on January 1, 2027. While our Ilera Eko scheme continues to protect vulnerable citizens and workers in the informal sector, we have introduced the Lagos Private Health Plans to serve corporate organizations and salaried employees. Twenty-one HMOs have already joined us as partners to expand this coverage across the private sector.

To ensure no one is left behind, we tripled our Health Equity Fund from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion. This allows us to pay premiums directly for over 500,000 residents who cannot afford insurance on their own.

We are also setting a firm boundary for all healthcare providers, no hospital in Lagos is permitted to turn away anyone needing emergency care due to financial constraints. Patients must be stabilized first before any payment or insurance details are discussed.

To our business owners and employers, employee healthcare is not an optional extra, it is a mandatory responsibility just like pensions. To our doctors and medical professionals, strengthening our healthcare financing builds the solid foundation we need to keep your talents right here at home.

We are protecting families from the burden of unexpected medical bills, helping more people seek care when they need it and building a healthcare system that works for everyone.

No one should have to choose between getting medical care and protecting their household finances. This is how we build a healthier Lagos where quality healthcare is accessible, affordable and within everyone’s reach.

Today, I attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Annual National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).

This year’s conference focused on the importance of living with purpose and setting an example that others can learn from.
y the strength, wisdom and contributions of women to our communities and society. When we invest in women, we strengthen communities and create a better future for the next generation.

We must continue to create opportunities for women to lead, shape decisions and turn their ideas into meaningful change.

I commend COWLSO for bringing women together to learn and inspire action. The true value of this conference lies in the lives it touches and the positive changes it inspires long after it ends.

On Friday, 30th of October, I will present my manifesto for Lagos, outlining my vision and priorities for the years ahead.

My focus is to sustain our progress, address areas that need more attention and create opportunities for every Lagosian to thrive.

The future of Lagos nd our plans must reflect their hopes, concerns and everyday realities.

From completing and connecting our rail lines, improving road and water transportation and expanding access to affordable housing, to strengthening security and upgrading healthcare across our 57 LGAs and LCDAs, we must keep making life better. Every community deserves safe roads, reliable public services and opportunities to prosper.

Education, skills development and job creation will remain central to our vision. We must equip young people with the knowledge, technology and practical skills to succeed, support entrepreneurs and small businesses and ensure that talent translates into opportunity, regardless of background, gender, religion or place of origin.

We must also protect our environment through better waste management, flood prevention, improved drainage and the protection of our coastal communities. We will continue to promote responsible governance, support traders and businesses and manage public resources to deliver real value.

Progress is not just about how far we have come but how many lives we improve along the way. Building on the foundation laid by successive administrations, we must protect what works, improve what needs attention and embrace ideas that meet Lagos’ changing needs.

My commitment is to a Lagos that is safer, more accessible, prosperous and inclusive. A Lagos where opportunity reaches every community and every resident has a stake in our shared future.

Together, we will build on our progress and move Lagos forward with purpose, accountability and the people at the centre of every decision.

That is my PROMISE.

At the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, I shared my thoughts on regional growth corridors and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and what they mean for Lagos and Nigeria’s economic future.

Lagos is where ideas and opportunities meet. Our experience shows ight infrastructure, supporting entrepreneurs and connecting markets creates jobs and gives businesses more room to grow.

This means better roads and rail links, more efficient ports, reliable power and broadband and logistics hubs that help move goods faster from producers to consumers.

It also means helping businesses grow through easier access to finance, simpler digital services and targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises. When government, banks and private investors work together, local businesses can increase production, meet global standards and compete across Africa.

We also need simpler customs processes, better one-stop border posts and shared standards across our borders. Making the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and AfCFTA work better will help Nigerian products reach more African markets while efficient transport corridors will reduce delays and the cost of doing business.

Our focus in Lagos is to make trade easier and ensure that economic growth improves everyday life for Lagosians.

That is how we build a stronger, more productive Nigeria and position Lagos at the heart of Africa’s next big economic opportunity.

At a recent media gathering, I said the newly completed Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge would open to traffic by the end of September, based on the work plan presented to me. With work still ongoing, I visited the site today to assess progress and understand the reasons for the delay.
ument being installed at the site is designed to preserve the history of the Cane Village, which once stood there and was known for its cane market. The design features four hands of cane weaving, a tribute to this local heritage and a new landmark that will add to the beauty of the corridor.

Three of the four steel components have been fully assembled and fitted, while the final piece is being installed. Safety remains our priority so we cannot open the road until every section is securely in place.

The monument is now 80% complete and we need just a few more days to finish the work. I understand the inconvenience this delay has caused motorists and I ask for a little more patience as we bring the project to completion. I assure you that the bridge will be fully operational before the holidays giving motorists a smoother journey and Lagos a new landmark.

Today, at the Kaduna Township Stadium, I joined party leaders and thousands of supporters to flag off the presidential campaign of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We came together with a shared commitment to Nigeria’s progress and development.

We reaffirmed our nt and the Renewed Hope Agenda. Nigeria is undergoing economic reforms and we must remain focused on the work ahead to build a stronger nation.

Progress takes consistency, difficult decisions and a commitment to the long-term interests of our people. In Lagos, we remain committed to working with the Federal Government to drive development, strengthen our institutions and create more opportunities for Nigerians.

I thank the people of Kaduna for their warm welcome and the energy they brought. We must stay focused on the needs of our people and keep working towards the Nigeria we all want to see.

Today, I inaugurated the new permanent headquarters for the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) in Ikeja.

Since 2007, the Fund has operated out of a rented space. Having this building, completed just ten months after we broke ground, gives our team a proper coordination ity agencies across the state, respond faster and manage resources better.

This project was made possible by the generosity of Sir Adebukunola Adebutu Kessington, who fully funded the building and donated five patrol vehicles. I am deeply grateful for his continued support of Lagos State.

A building is only as good as the results it produces. Security is the bedrock of everything we do in Lagos, our people must feel safe and businesses must thrive. I charge all our security formations to use this facility to strengthen their operations, respect citizens’ rights and keep Lagos safe for everyone.

On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Lagos State, as well as my brother Governors in the South-West, I commiserate with the Fasoranti family, Afenifere members and the entire people of Yorubaland over the departure of our respected leader and elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Baba Fasoranti was a respected and passionate statesman whose contributions to education, leadership and public service remain indelible. He impacted many lives positively through courageous and uncompromising leadership. His commitment to public service and community development was commendable.

Pa Fasoranti, during his lifetime, made a lot of positive impact in Yorubaland and Nigeria. He did great exploits as the leader of Afenifere by steering the ship of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation in the right direction.

We cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, justice, true federalism and good governance, which he championed for many decades during his lifetime.

I pray for the repose of his soul. May God grant his family, loved ones and the Yoruba people the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Today, at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) 56th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja, I spoke about the importance of looking beyond numbers to strengthen our economy and build a more secure future for our nation.

Real progress starts with s being honest and responsible with public funds and making sure the money spent improves people’s lives.

In Lagos, sound accounting and disciplined financial management guide how we plan, invest and deliver projects. They have helped us turn our plans into reality through the Blue and Red Line rail systems, expanded BRT networks, critical road projects and improved healthcare services across our communities.

I thank ICAN for providing a platform for these important conversations. Let us continue to manage our resources responsibly and build a stronger Lagos and a better Nigeria for all.

Today, I swore in the members of the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) and Audit Service Commission (ASC), alongside our newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, at Lagos House, Ikeja.

I congratulate them on their appointments and trust that they will serve with ism and a strong commitment to the people of Lagos.

These appointments come with great responsibility. The decisions made in these offices affect the daily lives of Lagosians and the quality of our public services. We remain focused on building a public service that delivers results and serves the people well.