President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday declared that he considers himself a Lagosian, just like President Bola Tinubu, as he represented the president at the commissioning of key infrastructure projects in Lagos State.
Akpabio made the statement during the inauguration of the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, the Electronic Geographic Information System (E-GIS), and the newly developed Alausa complex, all located in different parts of Lagos.
The Senate President used the occasion to reflect on his personal history in Lagos, recalling that he spent many years living and working in the state, starting from his time as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“You wonder why the Senate President came to represent the president in Lagos. It’s because the Senate President himself is a Lagosian,” Akpabio said.
Recalling His Early Years in Lagos
Akpabio explained that his connection to Lagos dates back several decades, when he first arrived in the city as a young graduate. According to him, he lived and worked in Lagos for many years, gaining experience in both the legal and corporate sectors.
“I lived right behind Bourdillon and I have been there for 30 years. I worked at Ajose as one of the directors of telecom companies,” he said.
He added that he began his legal career in Lagos shortly after completing his NYSC, noting that he practiced law in the city and became familiar with several major areas, including Opebi and Allen Avenue.
“I practiced law in Lagos from the day I became a young lawyer, from the days of my youth corps. I was at the Lion Building. I know Opebi, I knew Allen, and I’m in a position to testify to the transformation of Lagos,” he said.
Akpabio attended the event on behalf of President Tinubu, who was not physically present at the commissioning. He explained that his role as Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly made him a suitable representative of the president at such an important occasion.
According to him, President Tinubu’s leadership is rooted in democratic values, which he said the president has supported throughout his political career.
“So the President called me, and why is he the President? He is not the President of the military but a civilian President of the democracy he fought for all his life,” Akpabio said.
He added that the National Assembly plays a key role in sustaining democracy, describing it as a central institution that represents the will of the people.
“And who represents that democracy? It’s the Chairman of the National Assembly,” he said.
The projects commissioned during the event are part of ongoing efforts by the Lagos State Government to improve infrastructure and service delivery in the state.
The Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve movement between key areas of the city, particularly for commuters traveling through Ikeja and surrounding districts.
The E-GIS project, on the other hand, is designed to modernize land administration in Lagos by digitizing land records and making property transactions more transparent and efficient. Officials say this will reduce disputes and improve government revenue collection.
The Alausa complex project is also aimed at enhancing government operations by providing improved office facilities and better working conditions for public servants.
Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial center and one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. Over the years, successive administrations have invested in infrastructure to support the city’s large population and growing economy.
Akpabio noted that the transformation of Lagos over the years is visible, especially to those who have lived in the city for a long time.
Akpabio’s remarks about being a Lagosian have also drawn attention in political circles, as they highlight the close ties between key national figures and Lagos, which has long played a central role in Nigeria’s politics.
President Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, is widely credited with laying the foundation for many of the reforms that have shaped the city’s growth in recent years.
By aligning himself with Lagos, Akpabio may be reinforcing political connections and shared experiences within the current administration.
Before becoming Senate President in 2023, Akpabio served as Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015 and later as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. His political career has spanned both state and federal levels, giving him broad experience in governance.
His comments in Lagos reflect not only his personal history but also his effort to connect with residents of the state during a high-profile public event.
As Nigeria continues to face economic and social challenges, government officials have stressed the importance of infrastructure development as a way to improve living standards and support growth.
Events like the commissioning of major projects in Lagos are often used to highlight progress and reassure citizens of ongoing efforts to address key issues.
For Akpabio, the occasion was both an official duty and a personal moment, as he shared his long-standing connection to Lagos with the audience.
His declaration of being a Lagosian, like the president he represented, added a human touch to the ceremony while also highlighting the city’s importance in Nigeria’s national life.