In a revealing and rare interview, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has offered a candid reflection on the turbulent start of his administration and outlined the legacy he hopes to leave behind when his tenure concludes in 2027.
Baptism by Fire: The Immediate Crises of 2019
Governor Sanwo-Olu, speaking with Thisday Style, recounted that his swearing-in ceremony in 2019 coincided with the peak of the rainy season, plunging his team into immediate crisis management. The notorious Apapa gridlock and widespread flooding had brought Africa's largest city to a near standstill, leaving no room for a ceremonial transition period.
"You had to roll up your sleeves and get to work immediately," the governor stated, describing a frantic period focused on emergency response. His administration's initial days were dominated by hands-on efforts in refuse evacuation, drainage clearing, and direct traffic control, pulling him from boardrooms onto the chaotic streets of Lagos.
Forging a Leadership Style Under Pressure
Sanwo-Olu explained that this intense, on-the-ground experience fundamentally shaped his approach to governance. The pressure to act decisively, amid mixed public perception and questions about his capacity, steered him away from prolonged consultations toward swift action. This immersive start, he noted, provided an invaluable understanding of the scale, density, and intensity of Lagos, while also helping him identify key personnel across the state's bureaucracy.
Reflecting on the quality of life for Lagosians, the governor highlighted resilience and economic independence as critical indicators of progress. He pointed to the ability of residents to absorb economic shocks, sustain livelihoods, and grow small businesses as a form of grassroots development that complements large-scale infrastructure projects.
The Legacy Goal: Empowering People and Institutions
As he looks toward the end of his second and final term in 2027, Governor Sanwo-Olu articulated his ultimate hope for how history will remember his time in office. His focus is on strengthening institutions, enhancing security, and most importantly, providing Lagosians with the tools to advance regardless of their background.
He aims to be remembered as a leader who empowered people to move to the next level, building a foundation that outlasts any single administration. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was first elected in 2019 and successfully secured re-election for a second term in 2023, with his governance journey now firmly set on cementing this legacy in the years remaining.
