Why the next Governor of Lagos must be a woman

By Princess Abiodun Islamiat Oyefusi

Lagos is a city of greatness — a restless, ambitious, unstoppable megacity that beats with the energy of over twenty million dreams. It is the heartbeat of Nigeria, the economic nerve centre of West Africa, and the symbol of what is possible when vision meets resilience. But as Lagos evolves, one undeniable truth emerges: it is time for Lagos to be led by a woman.

For decades, Lagos has been blessed with capable male governors who have steered the state through waves of urbanization, economic reform, and modernization. Yet, despite this progress, the city still battles deep inequalities — in housing, healthcare, education, and opportunity. The problems that persist are not merely administrative; they are deeply human. And addressing them requires not just infrastructure and policy, but empathy, balance, and a new perspective.

A woman governor would not only represent symbolic change — she would represent strategic transformation.

1. Women Govern Differently — and Effectively

Across the world, data consistently shows that women in leadership deliver results that are inclusive, transparent, and sustainable. From Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia, women leaders have demonstrated a rare ability to blend compassion with competence, empathy with efficiency, and vision with accountability.

In Nigeria, where governance has too often been marked by aggression, ego, and exclusion, Lagos needs that unique brand of leadership that listens, collaborates, and uplifts. A woman’s approach to governance naturally prioritizes community well-being, education, healthcare, and economic inclusion — areas that directly shape the quality of life of ordinary Lagosians.

A female governor would be more likely to view development not merely as concrete and steel, but as people and potential.

2. Lagos Women Already Run the Engine of the City

From Balogun Market to Yaba Tech, from Lekki to Alimosho, women are the lifeblood of Lagos’ economy. They are traders, innovators, transporters, teachers, bankers, nurses, artisans, and entrepreneurs. They run households and small businesses; they hold the social fabric of communities together.

Yet, they are underrepresented where it matters most — at the top. Women constitute over 50% of the Lagos population, yet their voices remain largely absent from executive decision-making.

It is both unjust and unwise to ignore the demographic that drives the engine of the state. Electing a woman governor is not tokenism — it is smart governance. It is leveraging the leadership, grit, and intelligence that Lagos women have already proven in every sphere except the one that matters most: political power.

3. A New Kind of Progress: From Infrastructure to Humanity

Lagos has grown taller, wider, and richer. But it must now grow fairer, safer, and more inclusive. The next frontier of Lagos development must not only be about roads and rails — it must be about the people who walk and ride on them.

Who better than a woman to lead that transition? A woman understands the daily struggle of the market woman who wakes before dawn, the mother who navigates unsafe roads to get her child to school, the nurse who faces burnout in a public hospital, the young girl who dreams of tech but can’t afford data.

A woman governor would humanize governance. She would shift Lagos’ growth from being measured in kilometers of expressways to being measured in quality of life.

4. Leadership Integrity and Accountability

Let’s face it — the people are tired of politics-as-usual. They crave leaders who are authentic, empathetic, and ethical. Women have shown, time and again, higher levels of integrity in public office. Studies from institutions like the United Nations and World Bank have shown that female leaders are often less corrupt, more transparent, and more responsive to citizens’ needs.

Lagos, a state that has achieved so much economically, now needs moral capital — leadership that inspires trust. A woman at the helm can restore that trust and redefine what political leadership looks like in Nigeria’s most important state.

5. Lagos Can Set the National Standard — Again

Lagos has always been the state that leads Nigeria’s future. It led in urban innovation, in digital economy expansion, in creative industries. Now, Lagos can lead again — by making history and electing the first female governor of the state.

This is not just about gender; it is about progress. Lagos can once again set the pace for the rest of Nigeria, proving that leadership excellence is not defined by gender, but by vision and results.

The woman who leads Lagos will not only inspire girls across the state — she will signal to the entire country that the era of gender barriers in governance is over.

6. Continuity With Transformation

The current administration has laid foundations in infrastructure, technology, and innovation. The next phase requires not just continuity, but a transformation in governance culture.

A woman governor can sustain the developmental momentum while recalibrating priorities toward inclusivity, education, youth empowerment, and healthcare. She can build on existing policies while redefining their focus around the dignity and welfare of the people.

In essence, she can combine what works with what’s been missing.

Conclusion: The Time is Now

Lagos does not need a woman governor because of charity or sentiment. Lagos needs a woman governor because it makes strategic, moral, and developmental sense.

The state that prides itself on innovation and progress cannot continue to recycle the same kind of leadership and expect different results. The heartbeat of Nigeria deserves a new rhythm — one that beats with empathy, intelligence, inclusivity, and strength.

Lagos deserves a woman’s touch — not as a token, but as a turning point.
The next governor of Lagos must be a woman.
And she must not only succeed the current governor — she must succeed for all of us.