Sanwo-Olu lauds Oniru’s Memoir as blueprint for Lagos’s Megacity future

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has lauded the newly released memoir by Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, the Oniru of Iru Land, titled From City to MegaCity: A Memoir of Lagos Urbanization (1999–2023), as a vital blueprint for policymakers, urban scholars, and development professionals.

The book, launched in a ceremony coinciding with Oba Lawal’s 55th birthday, was described by the governor as a profound chronicle of strategic governance that charts Lagos’s transformation into a global megacity.

Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, at the launch event, Sanwo-Olu emphasized the memoir’s significance beyond a personal account, calling it a testament to Oba Lawal’s commitment to the progress of Iru Land and Lagos State.

“This is not merely a memoir but a strategic guide through the challenges of rapid population growth, urban infrastructure expansion, and issues like traffic, housing, and flooding,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

He highlighted how the book details bold reforms, innovative policies, and collaborative leadership that turned obstacles into opportunities, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and competitive Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the memoir aligned with his administration’s THEMES+ agenda, emphasizing resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity.

“Its clarity, context, and lessons remind us that meaningful progress is earned through commitment, collaboration, and courageous leadership,” he said.

The governor urged public servants, private sector stakeholders, academics, and development partners to embrace the book’s insights, viewing it as a call to safeguard Lagos’s progress and project its story as a model for African urban development.

He expressed hope that the memoir would inspire leaders to “honor the past, act with purpose in the present, and invest boldly in the future” for a vibrant, safe, and promising Lagos.

Former Lagos Governor and current Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, also praised Oba Lawal, describing him as an embodiment of knowledge who documented his experiences to counter misconceptions about Lagos’s development.

Fashola, who wrote the foreword for the memoir, noted that it dispels myths and focuses on the period from 1999 to 2023, a critical era in Lagos’s evolution.

He connected the book’s release to ongoing state initiatives, such as the recent launch of a 500-million-naira fund for food production and guaranteed off-take, underscoring the continuity of Lagos’s developmental efforts.

“The war continues. The actors may change, the narrative may shift, but the problems remain the same,” Fashola remarked, emphasizing the memoir’s relevance to ongoing urban challenges.

In his address, Oba Lawal explained that the memoir captures Lagos’s journey as a city driven by vision, commitment, and policy consistency across multiple administrations.

“This book tells the story of how we navigated housing deficits, reimagined transport, tackled environmental challenges, secured our streets, and redefined agriculture and food security,” he said.

He described the work as a historical record, a policy reflection, and an invitation to think boldly about urban futures, crediting Lagos’s success to governance that builds on past achievements rather than discarding them for novelty.

The launch event drew dignitaries, policymakers, and community leaders, who celebrated Oba Lawal’s dual milestone of his birthday and literary contribution.

The memoir is poised to become a cornerstone text for those studying urban transformation, offering a rare insider’s perspective on Lagos’s rise from a city to a megacity.