Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has characterized Lagos State as a "Yoruba United States," asserting that the commercial nerve center continues to set the pace for Nigeria.
The Governor made the declaration while delivering a keynote address at the South-West Citizen–Government Engagement Summit in Akure on Wednesday.
The high-profile event drew key regional stakeholders, including governors, traditional rulers, and prominent businessmen.
In his address, Sanwo-Olu emphasized Lagos State's unique position, stating: "I stand here not only as a humble leader among the South-West governors, but also as the governor of the largest population in our country, the economic and commercial nerve centre of our country... a state that houses almost every tribe, religion and race of our country, but more importantly, a Yoruba United States, that continues to reimage and to set a pace for our country.”
Call for Regional Unity and Renewal
Following the summit, the Governor leveraged his social media platforms to urge the South-West region to once again lead Nigeria’s renewal through unity, shared vision, and real collaboration.
He highlighted the significance of the new South-West Development Commission, championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a critical platform to "plan and deliver the kind of regional progress that once defined the Western Region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo.”
Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in the federal government's direction, noting that under President Tinubu’s leadership, "Nigeria is regaining confidence and stability, emphasising that his reforms are working, the economy is growing, investment is returning, and the future is brighter."
He connected this national progress to local initiatives, stating that for Lagos, this stability "opens new doors for projects like the 4th Mainland Bridge, the Green Line, and the Lekki International Airport," which he said will transform lives and strengthen the economy. "The South-West can, and must, lead Nigeria’s rebirth," he concluded.
Online Reaction Focuses on Empowerment
The Governor's submission received significant positive attention on social media, though many users’ responses focused on the need for follow-through in empowering the Yoruba people within the state.
* @AKakanfo praised the statement: "Lagos State is the United States of the Yoruba race… I am impressed with your brilliant submission today. This is the kind of speech that will make Yoruba Nationalists go to battle to defend our leaders..."
* @Balogun_Iyanda tied the rhetoric to action: "has not gotten my flowers yet, until he follows his words with actions by doing restitution and making policies that will empower the Yoruba people in Lagos... Lagos is Yorubaland and must favour Yoruba people first.”
* @Temmyman_ called for ethnic focus: "our politicians should just think Yoruba first... They should just put us first and defend our ethnic identity and have this native intelligence.”
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“Governor Sanwo-Olu’s statement that Lagos is Yoruba United States is both inspiring and symbolic. It reminds us of Lagos’s vital role as the heart of Yoruba strength, unity, and progress — a call for collaboration and leadership across the South-West.”
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