Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, have called for coordinated physical planning, improved infrastructure investment and effective project implementation to promote sustainable development and improve residents’ quality of life.
The call was made at the 2026 Lagos Physical Planning Summit, held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme, “Diagnosis to Delivery: Positioning Lagos for Strategic Regional Development and Priority Investment Agenda.”
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, stressed that development plans must translate into measurable results through clear priorities, adequate funding, defined timelines and accountability.
He identified housing shortages, traffic congestion, overstretched drainage systems and uncontrolled development as major challenges requiring urgent attention. He also highlighted the completion of the Lagos Island and Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plans, the revised Badagry Master Plan and the Electronic Physical Planning Permit Processing System as steps towards more coordinated and transparent urban development.
The governor called for stronger collaboration among ministries, government agencies and neighbouring states, alongside transparent development approvals and consistent enforcement of planning regulations.
In his keynote address, Bamidele proposed a Lagos-to-South-West Spatial Development and Investment Compact to coordinate infrastructure, economic corridors, environmental protection and investment opportunities across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states.
He advocated regional cooperation in transportation, housing, industrial development, power infrastructure and tourism, noting that Lagos could not achieve sustainable growth through isolated planning.
Bamidele also identified the proposed Olokola Deep Sea Port in Ogun State and regional railway expansion as opportunities to strengthen industrial development, logistics and trade. He called on the National Assembly to support coordinated infrastructure projects through legislation and oversight within its constitutional mandate.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Olumide Oluyinka, also emphasised the need for collaboration with neighbouring states and federal institutions to improve connectivity, avoid duplication of projects and address shared development challenges.
Oluyinka urged the government to make planning administration more efficient and investor-friendly by reducing unnecessary delays, improving coordination among agencies and adopting digital platforms, transparent procedures and clear service timelines.
The stakeholders maintained that effective planning, regional cooperation and accountable implementation are essential to addressing Lagos’ urban challenges and sustaining its position as a major economic hub in Africa.