Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed confidence that Nigeria can overcome its security and development challenges through unity, effective local governance, and greater collaboration among the tiers of government.
The governor said this on Tuesday in Kaduna during a special public lecture held to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary. The event, organised by the Arewa Think Tank, brought together former governors, ministers, traditional rulers, academics, and policy experts from across the country to discuss the theme, “National Security, Unity and Development.”
Sanwo-Olu, who was a guest speaker, highlighted that Nigeria’s progress depends on strong local institutions, inclusive governance, and economic policies that directly address poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.
Speaking at the gathering, the Lagos governor said Nigeria must strengthen its federal structure by giving more power and resources to state and local governments to manage grassroots development and security.
According to him, “The time has come for Nigeria to embrace state-driven innovation and accountability. We must strengthen local governance and ensure that every Nigerian feels the benefits of democracy.”
He said decentralised governance would not only bring government closer to the people but also enable communities to tackle their unique social and security challenges more effectively.
“Together, we will overcome poverty, hunger, and, as President Bola Tinubu has assured, terrorism,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu noted that insecurity, unemployment, and hunger are interconnected problems that require a multi-level approach. He explained that local policing, improved agricultural value chains, and investment in rural infrastructure can go a long way in addressing the root causes of these problems.
The governor praised Nigeria’s cultural and religious diversity, describing it as one of the nation’s greatest strengths rather than a source of division.
“Our diversity is not a weakness but a strength. With collective will, Nigeria will overcome insecurity and all challenges that lie ahead,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to rise above ethnic and religious divides, saying that unity and mutual respect were essential for peace and national progress.
“Every Nigerian has a role to play in building a stronger country. We must draw inspiration from the vision of our founding fathers and continue the journey toward a united and prosperous nation,” he stated.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s efforts to strengthen the financial independence of subnational governments through the Renewed Hope Agenda, a key policy framework designed to stimulate inclusive growth and rebuild trust in government.
He said the ongoing reforms — including increased revenue allocation to states and local governments, tax policy reforms, and the push for better financial management at the local level — are positive steps toward addressing the long-standing imbalance in Nigeria’s federal structure.
“These policies complement what we are doing in Lagos State through the THEMES+ agenda,” Sanwo-Olu explained.
The THEMES+ agenda — which stands for Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, Security and Governance, plus Social Inclusion — guides development planning in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu said both the Renewed Hope Agenda and THEMES+ share a focus on infrastructure, human capital development, and social inclusion, all of which are vital to achieving sustainable national growth.
“By empowering local governments and creating economic opportunities in every community, we will build a Nigeria where peace, prosperity, and hope thrive,” he said.
Nigeria has faced multiple security challenges in recent years, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central, and separatist tensions in the South-East.
In addition, rising poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment have worsened tensions across several regions. According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), more than 60% of Nigerians live below the poverty line, while youth unemployment remains a major concern.
Sanwo-Olu’s message in Kaduna echoed this view, calling for a system that gives subnational governments greater authority and responsibility.
The Lagos governor said empowering local governments with funding and autonomy would enhance their ability to deliver basic services such as education, healthcare, sanitation, and security.
He argued that when local authorities are active, responsive, and accountable, citizens benefit directly. “Effective local governance brings solutions closer to the people. It builds trust and creates a sense of belonging,” he said.
He also called for stronger community policing, saying that security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, and rural violence can only be contained when local communities are involved in policing and intelligence gathering.
“Security is not only the job of the police or military; it begins in the community. We must build trust and cooperation between the people and security agencies,” he said.
The Kaduna event, held as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, provided a platform for reflection on the nation’s journey since 1960.
Speakers at the lecture highlighted the need for renewed commitment to peace, unity, and national development. Participants included academics, policy experts, and traditional rulers from across the country.
Governor Sanwo-Olu urged leaders at all levels to uphold the spirit of patriotism and service that guided Nigeria’s founding fathers, including Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello.
“They built this country with courage and a shared vision. We must continue their work by embracing dialogue, reform, and accountability,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to highlight Lagos State’s development model as an example of how innovation, accountability, and public participation can transform governance.
“In Lagos, we have seen what is possible when leadership is inclusive and data-driven,” he said. “We must apply the same principles across Nigeria — building partnerships, empowering citizens, and making government work for the people.”
Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that Nigeria’s challenges — from insecurity to economic hardship — can be overcome with the right mix of leadership, unity, and institutional reform.
“Our problems are not insurmountable,” he said. “With collaboration, accountability, and faith in our shared destiny, Nigeria will rise above insecurity, poverty, and hunger.”
He ended his speech with a call to action: “Let every Nigerian commit to peace, progress, and national unity. Together, we can build a country that fulfils the dreams of its people.”
The Arewa Think Tank organisers commended the Lagos State governor for his message of unity and inclusion, describing it as a timely reminder of the role of leadership in building a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
