Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signalled a new phase of intensive collaboration between the Lagos State Government and the World Bank Group to scale up investments in energy, agriculture, and human capital development.
The governor made this known following a high-level strategic meeting at Lagos House, Marina, with a delegation led by the World Bank’s Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Regional Vice President for Africa, Ethiopia Tafara.
A major highlight of the discussion was the state’s dramatic transformation in the national Ease of Doing Business rankings.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that through deliberate and accountable governance, Lagos has climbed from 29th position nationally four years ago to the number one spot last year.
“That did not happen by chance,” the governor noted. “It came from being more deliberate, more consistent, and more accountable in how the government works.”
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The governor outlined several “high-impact” sectors where the state is seeking increased World Bank support and private sector investment.
Expanding power infrastructure to drive industrial growth, unlocking the state’s potential as a food-secure and cultural hub, strengthening education and skills for the burgeoning youth population and securing funding for projects that directly alleviate the daily challenges of millions of Lagosians.
Reflecting on his administration’s journey over the past six years, Sanwo-Olu stated that the THEMES+ agenda remains the compass for his government.
He emphasised that the administration’s focus has shifted toward delivering “measurable results” rather than mere promises.
“The focus has always been on delivering results that people can feel,” he said.
“Millions of Lagosians have seen real improvements, and while there is still a lot to do, the progress is measurable.”
The visiting delegation’s presence at Marina underscores the World Bank’s growing confidence in the Lagos economy.
By engaging with both the World Bank’s operations arm and the IFC, the state aims to blend public policy support with private sector financing to accelerate urban renewal.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to take the necessary “tough steps” to earn greater international support and raise the overall living standards of the residents of Nigeria’s economic nerve centre.
