Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has set tongues wagging with his declaration that Lagos is “the Yoruba United States;” a symbol of progress, innovation, and leadership that continues to shape Nigeria’s destiny.
The governor stated this on Wednesday at the South-West Citizen–Government Engagement Summit in Akure, where governors, traditional rulers, and business leaders gathered to chart the region’s future.
“I stand here not only as a humble leader among the South-West governors, but also as the governor of the largest population in our country, the economic and commercial nerve centre of our country, the state of aquatic splendour, a state that houses almost every tribe, religion and race of our country, but more importantly, a Yoruba United States, that continues to reimage and to set a pace for our country,” Sanwo-Olu said to applause.
Taking to his social media handles later, Sanwo-Olu charged the South-West to once again steer Nigeria’s renewal through unity, vision, and collaboration.
He praised the newly established South-West Development Commission, a creation of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, as a springboard for unprecedented regional growth.
“With the new South-West Development Commission, championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and supported by the National Assembly, we now have a platform to plan and deliver the kind of regional progress that once defined the Western Region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu praised Tinubu’s leadership for restoring confidence and stability in Nigeria, stressing that his economic reforms are working.
“For us in Lagos, this progress opens new doors for projects like the 4th Mainland Bridge, the Green Line, and the Lekki International Airport. With stronger investor confidence, these initiatives will transform lives and strengthen our economy,” he said.
He ended with a rousing call to action:
“The South-West can, and must, lead Nigeria’s rebirth. The spirit of innovation and courage that shaped our past still lives in us today and together, we will rise to this moment.”
Lagos, it seems, is not just Nigeria’s heartbeat — it’s the Yoruba nation’s bold symbol of unity and progress.
