Lagos guber: Hamzat outlines governance plans, hosts 150 young business leaders

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has outlined his vision for the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election during a closed-door session with 150 young executives and founders in Ikoyi.

The meeting, themed “Lagos: The Next Chapter,” was convened by real estate firm 7-Fifteen Capital to facilitate dialogue between public leadership and the private sector.

Addressing the gathering, Hamzat said his agenda would focus on innovation, inclusion and infrastructure, with emphasis on improving the business environment, attracting investment and enhancing living standards.

According to him, the priority would be to build on existing progress while strengthening education, healthcare delivery, support for youth and MSMEs, and security.

“The next chapter for Lagos is going to be about building on the progress we have already made and taking the state to a new level of innovation, inclusion and infrastructure,” he said.

“We must establish Lagos as a leading centre for education, strengthen healthcare delivery, create more opportunities for our young people and MSMEs, and make Lagos the safest mega-city in Africa.”

Dr Hamzat also presented his Digital Lagos 2.0 proposal, which seeks to integrate artificial intelligence, blockchain and smart-city technologies to drive efficiency in governance and position Lagos as a technology hub.

The keynote was followed by a fireside conversation where participants engaged the Deputy Governor on issues around sustainability, town planning, the creative economy, tourism and public-private partnerships.

CEO and Co-Founder of 7-Fifteen Capital, Tope Adekoya, said the session was aimed at fostering direct engagement between policymakers and emerging business leaders.

“Lagos is home to an increasingly influential community of young founders and business leaders who are creating opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the city’s growth. This evening was an opportunity to bring that community together with public leadership and create space for direct conversation,” he said.

On her part, Deputy CEO and Co-Founder, Adesuwa Belo-Osagie, said the company’s interest in the conversation extends beyond its core business.

“Our responsibility goes beyond financial investment and property development. The next chapter of Lagos will be written collectively by public servants, businesses and private citizens who care enough to participate in shaping it,” she said.

The event ended with networking and an exhibition of the firm’s projects in Lagos and Abuja.