The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its status as Nigeria’s economic nerve centre and Africa’s commercial gateway as it played host to participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47, Group 2) from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, on a strategic study tour focused on the Blue Economy and sustainable development.
The five-day tour, themed “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” was formally launched at the Folarin Coker Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, with a high-level welcome ceremony attended by government officials and policy experts.
Representing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Secretary to the State Government, ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, delivered a welcome address, describing Lagos as “the city that never sleeps” and the heartbeat of Nigeria.
“This is Lagos — the largest economy in Nigeria and the fifth largest in Africa. A state of aquatic splendor with vast maritime potential. Your visit is not just timely, it is strategic,” she told the delegates.
Salu-Hundeyin highlighted Lagos’ pivotal role in the national and continental conversation on the Blue Economy, underscoring initiatives under the THEMES Plus development agenda. She cited key milestones, including:
The Lekki Deep Sea Port, commissioned in 2023, which is now one of the most advanced and deepest ports in West Africa.
The expansion of the state’s water transport infrastructure by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), boosting intermodal transportation.
Shoreline protection projects in Lekki and Badagry designed to tackle erosion and preserve marine assets.
Landmark waterfront developments such as Eko Atlantic City, Gracefield Island, and King Smart City, all of which are positioning Lagos as a leader in marine tourism and coastal urbanization.
Following the opening remarks, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Blue Economy’s theoretical frameworks and its real-world impact in Lagos.
The session marked the beginning of an intensive series of engagements with key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Office of Sustainable Development Goals.
The study tour will expose NIPSS participants to Lagos State’s strategies, successes, and ongoing efforts in building a resilient, inclusive, and ocean-based economy — setting a blueprint for other states and regions across Africa.