General
Lagos Must Remain Top Destination for Business in Africa—Governor
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday said the ultimate goal of his administration was to ensure Lagos remains the top destination for business, work and living in Africa.
He made this disclosure at the swearing in of 35 members of his cabinet, who took the oath as Commissioners and Special Advisers at the Adeyemi Bero Hall in the Secretariat in Ikeja, and witnessed by the leaders and members of All Progressives Congress (APC) from all local government areas and local council development areas in the state.
During the programme, the Governor reiterated his government’s commitment to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors through Lagos Development Blueprint initiated by Mr Bola Tinubu in 1999.
While addressing his new team members, Mr Sanwo-Olu said he cabinet was unique in leadership qualities and gender diversity, adding that its members were selected through a rigorous process based on their track records in service delivery in their respective fields.
The Governor charged them to bring their years of leadership and administrative experience to bear in handling affairs of the state, stressing that the people of Lagos could not wait any longer to benefit from his administration’s programmes.
“It is with pride that I congratulate the new Commissioners and Special Advisers on your well-deserved appointments. It is a testament to your capacity, your accomplishments and your track record of hard work, commitment, dedication and professionalism in your private and public endeavours.
“Today, all of you are inducted into a singular administration, unique in its diversity – both of heritage and of creed – made up of technical and politically skilled men and women who understand the challenges of our state, grasp the grand vision of our administration, and are sensitive to the yearnings of our citizens, whom we must ultimately serve,” he said.
The Governor charged the appointees on innovation, commitment and exemplary leadership in the assigned roles, while also advising them to be prepared for the challenges ahead and be ready to pay any price for the development of Lagos.
He said, “Great opportunities for employment and wealth creation can only be realised sustainably if we are able to enhance governance with creativity, innovation and technology, while embracing collaboration with the private sector and continual dialogue and partnership with all relevant stakeholders.
“This is the task we have been called upon to undertake in the next four years on behalf of our people who are relying on us to support their dreams and aspirations. I charge you all to show commitment, diligence and exemplary leadership as the necessary virtues needed to achieve the greatness we desire for our State and to deliver the prosperity our people deserve.”
Also speaking at the event, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Jaji, described the event as “a major milestone” in the history of political development in Lagos.
She said the choice of the cabinet appointees was a testimony to the determination of the Mr Sanwo-Olu administration to tackle the challenges facing the state and build a prosperous society.
She presented the cabinet members to the public and urged them to keep their focus on service delivery.
Giving a vote of assurance on behalf of the cabinet members, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, said the team would foster unity of purpose and dedication to enable the Governor realise his vision.
Other Commissioners sworn in include: Mr Rabiu Olowo Onaolapo (Finance), Mrs Folashade Adefisayo (Education), Prof. Akin Abayomi (Health), Dr Idris Salako (Physical Planning and Urban Development), Mr Gbenga Omotoso (Information and Strategy), Mrs Bolaji Dada (Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation), Mr Lere Odusote (Energy and Natural Resources), Dr Frederic Oladeinde (Transportation), Mr Gbolahan Lawal (Agriculture), Mr Moruf Akinderu Fatai (Housing), and Mr Moyo Onigbanjo (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice).
Also, Commissioners are Mr Hakeem Fahm (Science and Technology), Mrs Ajibola Ponnle (Establishment, Training and Pension), Engr. Aramide Adeyoye (Works and Infrastructure), Mr Segun Dawodu (Youth and Social Development), Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf (Home Affairs), Mrs Yetunde Arobieke (Local Government and Community Affairs), Mrs Lola Akande (Commerce and Industry), Mrs Olufunke Adebolu (Tourism Arts and Culture), and Mr Sam Egube (Economy Planning and Budget).
The Special Advisers are Dr Wale Ahmed (Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations), Ms Ruth Bisola Olusanya (Agriculture), Princess Aderemi Adebowale (Civic Engagement), Mr Afolabi Ayantayo (Political and Legislative Affairs), Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka (Housing), and Mr Joe Igbokwe (Drainage and Water Resources).
Others Advisers are Olatunbosun Alake (Innovation and Technology), Arc. Kabiru Ahmed Abdullahi (Urban Development), Anofi Elegushi (Central Business Districts), Bonu Solomon Saanu (Arts and Culture), Oluwatoyin Fayinka (Transportation), Oladele Ajayi (Commerce and Industry), Tokunbo Wahab (Education), and Solape Hammond (Sustainable Development Goals).
Also present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Mr Obafemi Hamzat; First Lady, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Tayo Ayinde; his deputy, Mr Gboyega Soyannwo; and Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
At exactly 12:18pm, Mrs Yemisi Ogunlola of the Ministry of Justice administered the oath on the appointees, signalling the official take-off of their tenure.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has pledged its commitment to provide the regulatory leadership, technical coordination, and stakeholder engagement required to successfully develop and implement a robust National Action Plan on maritime decarbonization in Nigeria.
The Director General of the agency, Mr Dayo Mobereola, made this known during the National Stakeholders’ workshop on the development of a National Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan, further describing the workshop as a critical step in actualising the Federal Government’s blue economy and climate objectives.
Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Mr Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the NIMASA DG underscored the significance of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, a technical cooperation initiative /designed to support developing countries in implementing the IMO GHG Strategy.
According to him, the National Action Plan being developed will reflect national realities, leverage existing capacities, address identified gaps, and align with broader economic and environmental priorities of the federal government.
Mr Mobereola stressed that “this transition is not merely about compliance with international obligations, it is about safeguarding our marine environment, protecting public health, strengthening the blue economy, and ensuring that our maritime industry remains competitive and future-ready”, the DG said.
Also speaking at the event was the Technical Manager of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, Ms Astrid Dispert, who highlighted that the overarching objective of the initiative is to advance a coherent and globally aligned regulatory framework to accelerate maritime decarbonization.
She also emphasised that NIMASA plays a pivotal role in driving the project at the national level.
The IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project provides technical expertise and institutional support to assist countries in developing and implementing National Action Plans that promote sustainable shipping practices, encourage investment in clean technologies, and strengthen capacity for long-term emissions reduction.
Through this collaboration, the federal government is advancing deliberate steps towards maritime decarbonization, reinforcing its commitment to global climate goals and ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for the sector.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with its digital submission process effective March 1.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Director-General of the Bureau, Mr Adebowale Adedokun, noting that the move was part of the bureau’s commitment to digital transformation and paperless governance.
It explained that the transition followed an earlier circular of Aug. 4, 2025, which introduced electronic submission procedures.
According to the bureau, it has successfully moved from physical filings to a dedicated e-mail service for document submissions and is now advancing to a more robust and integrated system.
The circular announced the inauguration of the BPP Digital Submission Portal, a web-based platform designed to enable MDAs submit procurement-related documents directly to the Bureau.
It stated that the automated platform would streamline the submission process, enhance transparency and ensure accelerated tracking of procurement-related documents and petitions.
“With effect from March 1, all MDAs will be required to use the portal to submit requests for ‘No Objection’ Certificates, approvals for ‘No Objection’ for special procurements, clarifications and status updates on submissions,” the bureau said.
It added that the portal would be hosted on the Bureau’s official website and would become fully operational from the effective date.
The bureau warned that physical submissions or manual hand-deliveries would no longer be prioritised and would eventually be rejected following the full transition to the digital platform.
It urged accounting officers to brief their procurement departments and ICT units on the development to ensure seamless processing of procurement activities from March 1.
It further advised MDAs to contact the Bureau via its official email for information on the onboarding process and integration into the portal.
The bureau emphasised that full compliance by all MDAs was required to ensure a smooth transition and avoid delays in the implementation of the 2026 fiscal year procurement processes.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to remove the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, from office.
The Senate Committee on Finance, while passing a resolution in Abuja on Thursday, accused Mr Magaji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), of failing to honour the Senate’s invitations to account for the finances of his agency.
“He refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee.
“We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.
“Each time we invite him, he gives us excuses,” the Chairman of the committee, Mr Sani Musa, said as the committee passed the resolution.
CAC was part of a group of agencies that the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended zero allocation for the year 2026, for allegedly failing to account for public funds appropriated to them.
The committee, at an investigative hearing held two weeks ago, accused CAC and some other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of shunning invitations to respond to audit queries contained in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s annual reports for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The PAC chairman, Mr Bamidele Salam, stated that the National Assembly should not continue to appropriate public funds to institutions that disregard accountability mechanisms, saying this will create fiscal discipline and strengthen transparency across federal institutions and conform with extant financial regulations and the oversight powers of the parliament.
“Public funds are held in trust for the Nigerian people. Any agency that fails to account for previous allocations, refuses to submit audited accounts, or ignores legislative summons cannot, in good conscience, expect fresh budgetary provisions. Accountability is not optional; it is a constitutional obligation,” he said.
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