Sanwo-Olu and the Future of Lagos: Building the Infrastructure for Opportunity
This post has already been read at least 1182 times!
When the story of visionary governance in Nigeria is written, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be remembered not merely as a builder of structures, but as an architect of opportunity. Under his watch, Lagos is transforming from a city defined by concrete into a city driven by possibility — one where infrastructure serves as a springboard for economic inclusion, innovation, and sustainable growth.
More than roads, bridges, and rail lines, Governor Sanwo-Olu is laying the groundwork for a new Lagos — an infrastructure of opportunity that prioritizes people, productivity, and partnership. This is most evident in how his administration is reimagining the city as a living, breathing platform for industries like tourism, technology, and green energy.
Lagos: A Living Infrastructure for Tourism
The governor’s focus on leveraging infrastructure to drive economic activity is exemplified by the growing phenomenon of Dirty December — the festive season boom that has turned Lagos into Africa’s December capital. In 2024 alone, over 1.2 million local and international visitors flooded the state for concerts, beach parties, exhibitions, fashion shows, and family vacations. Hotels were fully booked, ride-hailing prices soared, and economic activity peaked across sectors.
But the deeper brilliance lies in how this activity reflects back into government revenue. Unlike oil or customs, tourism doesn’t yield direct taxes. Instead, it energizes the private sector — in hospitality, transport, entertainment, and retail — whose growth then feeds the state through taxes, job creation, and business registrations. That’s smart governance: letting infrastructure serve industry, and letting industry build wealth.
E1 Championship: A Leap into the Future
The same clarity of purpose has guided Lagos into hosting the E1 Championship — the world’s first all-electric powerboat race — in October 2025. More than a spectacle, it is a strategic move to position Lagos as a marine economy hub, a green innovation capital, and a global tourism destination.
Historically underutilized despite its 180km of Atlantic coastline and vast lagoon system, Lagos’ marine assets are finally getting the attention they deserve. The E1 event brings global media attention, corporate sponsorships, and most importantly, tourists and investors — the engines of economic expansion.
Tangible Benefits of Hosting the E1 Championship
- Economic Boost and Job Creation
Direct Spending: Influx of capital into hotels, restaurants, security, logistics, and event services.
Jobs: Short- and long-term employment in event management, hospitality, marine services, and tech.
Support Sectors: Local artisans, boat mechanics, transport operators, and vendors stand to gain.
- Global Visibility
Lagos joins the league of host cities like Monaco, Venice, and Jeddah.
It brands the city as a tech-savvy, climate-conscious destination ripe for tourism and investment.
- Tourism Development
Boost in international visitors, travel bloggers, and marine sports lovers.
Spillover visits to local attractions like the Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery, and more.
- Environmental Awareness & Innovation
Promotes clean energy, marine conservation, and electric-powered mobility.
Spurs public-private collaboration for lagoon cleanup and sustainability efforts.
E1 as an Investment Magnet
To truly maximize the E1 opportunity, Lagos must not only host the event but convert it into an investment magnet. Here’s how:
A. Host Investment Forums:
Organize a Lagos E-Mobility & Blue Economy Summit during the championship, inviting investors in green tech, hospitality, marine transport, and urban innovation.
B. Market Lagos as a Green Tech Testbed:
Showcase projects in electric mobility, smart city development, and renewable energy adoption. Brand Lagos as Africa’s destination for sustainable innovation.
C. Secure Public-Private Partnerships:
Use the E1 spotlight to sign MoUs in water transport, electric boat production, tourism infrastructure, and waterfront regeneration.
D. Leverage Media & Soft Power:
Coverage by CNN, BBC, Sky Sports and others will amplify Lagos’ global visibility. Use cultural diplomacy to reinforce Lagos as Africa’s marine and tourism capital.
Structural Requirements for Hosting
- Marine Infrastructure
Designated Race Course: Clean, safe race lanes across Lagos Lagoon.
Floating Marinas & Platforms: Hospitality lounges, pit stops, and viewing decks.
Environmental Cleanup: Dredging and beautification for safety and aesthetics.
- Transport & Accessibility
Water Network: Upgraded jetties, ferries, and water taxis.
Land Access: Smooth roads to Eko Atlantic, Lekki, VI.
Helipads: For emergency response and VIP logistics.
- Security & Emergency Services
Marine patrols, emergency response boats, fire and medical teams.
- Communication Technology
5G internet coverage, drone-ready broadcast tools, and live-stream infrastructure.
- Event Hospitality
World-class media zones, accreditation centres, food courts, and cultural showcases.
Strategic Recommendations to Government
- Set Up a Marine Sports Development Office:
Coordinate infrastructure, tourism, environment, and investment around marine activities. - Engage Local Businesses:
Bring in banks, hospitality giants, tour operators, and retail brands as co-creators, not just spectators. - Leverage AfCFTA for Regional Advantage:
Market Lagos as the gateway to West African marine and tourism investments under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework. - Pursue Legacy Projects:
Use the event to drive lasting change — cleaner lagoons, world-class water transport, and renewed waterfront economies. - Youth Engagement and Human Capacity Building:
Train Lagosians in boat racing, hospitality, logistics, and marine tech.
Embed tourism and event management in vocational and tertiary institutions.
Dirty December + E1: An Economic Quarter, Not Just a Season
By aligning the E1 Championship with Dirty December, Lagos is effectively transforming tourism from a month-long activity to a quarterly economic driver. If Dirty December alone contributed an estimated ₦450 billion in 2024, projections for 2025 with E1 factored in could push earnings beyond ₦700 billion.
But revenue is not the only goal — empowerment is. Infrastructure without human capacity is a dead asset. That’s why structured training programs are now essential:
Hospitality Training: For hotel staff, shortlet managers, ride-hailing drivers, and servers.
Tour Guide Certification: So locals can become paid ambassadors of the Lagos experience.
Marine Logistics & Event Hosting: To handle international-standard events.
Waste Management Protocols: To maintain cleanliness in lagoon and waterfront zones.
Infrastructure + Intelligence = Inclusive Prosperity
The hallmark of Sanwo-Olu’s administration is not just the physical transformation of Lagos, but the infusion of intelligence into infrastructure — blending sustainability, technology, and culture into the city’s future.
From the Blue Line Rail to Oniru entertainment hubs, Lekki-Epe expressway to upgraded jetties, each project is designed not just to beautify Lagos but to activate opportunity.
Even more telling is Lagos’ pivot to green technology. An electric-powered marine event signals bold readiness to embrace sustainable living — and invite investments in energy, transportation, and smart urbanism.
What the Future Holds
Lagos is no longer waiting for the future; it is engineering it. What’s needed now is intentional coordination:
Policy Alignment: Tourism, marine, and culture policies must align.
Private Sector Buy-In: Investors must see themselves as partners, not donors.
Public Sensitization: Citizens must feel not like bystanders, but hosts.
Conclusion: A Call to Readiness
Governor Sanwo-Olu has not built monuments — he has built momentum. As October and December draw near, all Lagosians must prepare to ride this wave.
Whether you are a caterer in Ajah, a DJ in Victoria Island, a shortlet operator in Ikeja, or a techpreneur in Lekki — opportunity is calling. The stage is set, the infrastructure is rising, and the world is watching.
Let us get ready. The future of Lagos is not in its buildings — it is in the lives built upon them.
Many thanks to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He’s also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table. BoT Chairman, Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC Naija. He is a strategic Communicator and the C.E.O, Masterbuilder Communications.
Email:bolajiakinyemi66@gmail.com
Facebook:Bolaji Akinyemi.
X:Bolaji O Akinyemi
Instagram:bolajioakinyemi
Phone:+2348033041236
This post has already been read at least 1182 times!
