SANWO-OLU: WE'LL LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED TO PROTECT LAGOS

•Signs Lagos N4.4 Trillion Budget into Law, Says Government decision on Makoko based on collective interest

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (second right); Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (second left); committee Chairman on Appropriation, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Saad Olumoh (left) and  the House Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams during the signing the Y2026 Appropriation bill into law, at the Conference room of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, 19 January 2026. 

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday assured residents of the State that his administration will leave no stone unturned in ensuring safety of lives and property in the State.

The Governor spoke during the signing of the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill into law estimated at N4.4 trillion, which held at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja.

His words, “This is an inclusive budget designed to carry every resident and community along, irrespective of where they live in the State or sector in which they operate. Our residents will feel the touch and impact of governance across areas of our priorities, including education where we will build new schools, health sector where new facilities will be built. There are various interventions we will do to enhance and improve the quality of life.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu signing the Y2026 Appropriation bill into law. With him from left: committee Chairman on Appropriation, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Saad Olumoh; Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Ope George; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Noheem Adams and Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) held at the Conference room of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday.

“In security, we will be providing improved services to ensure Lagos remains safe for businesses and living. These are some of the ways in which the prosperity of our dear State will be achieved. This budget will be implemented responsibly; we will put up our A-grade in order to ensure accountability, while also ensuring that value for money is created. In the end, Lagosians will feel the impact of the great effort which the Executive and the House of Assembly have made.”

At the budget signing ceremony, Sanwo-Olu also expressed disappointment over the scooping of fuel at Apapa Bridge earlier on Monday by some residents, describing the act as a suicide mission.

From left: Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Ope George; committee Chairman on Appropriation, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Saad Olumoh; Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Noheem Adams and Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) during the signing of the Y2026 Appropriation bill into law at the Conference room of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday.

He commended the swift action of the Lagos State first responders as well as the Police, who cordoned off the area and took control of the situation before any disaster could occur, warning residents to desist from acts that could lead to calamities.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who spoke frankly on indiscipline, especially indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians, said stiffer penalties would be served on defaulters this year.

He said: "We will improve the capacity of LAWMA and PSP in this year's budget. We will ensure we increase the fleet of their compactor trucks and all the equipment that will be required to keep the city clean and safe. We have given instructions to LAWMA not only to apprehend but also to see how we can charge people for environmental violations." 

Speaking on the demolition exercise in the Makoko area of Lagos State, Governor Sanwo-Olu insisted that evacuation notices were served over two years before the demolition to those within 150 to 250 metres of high-tension wires.

From left: Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Saad Olumoh, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Noheem Adams and Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) during the signing of the Y2026 Appropriation bill into law at the Conference room of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the decision of the government was based on the collective interest of Lagos State and the residents and not for any ulterior motive.

He said: "People need to understand that it is a big city we are dealing with, and the emergency and safety of lives and properties are paramount that we need to prioritise. Of what interest would it be for the government to want to unduly demolish anybody's property? What interest if it is not for the overall safety of the citizens we are talking about?

"A lot of the people have built shanties under the high-tension wire, and the regulation is that you need to clear between 150 and 250 metres away from the high-tension wire. We are not demolishing the whole of Makoko; we are clearing the shanties so they do not get to the Third Mainland Bridge and stay behind the high tension.

"We are aware that there are some local and international NGOs that want to profit from this. We are studying things, and we are going to show evidence. They have made so much money from international organizations and asked for so many grants and resources to go into those places. It is just for them to cover their own lies because they have not done what they said they were going to be doing. That is why they are all shouting and crying more than the bereaved. 

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu flanked by his Deputy , Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (left) and the Majority Leader,  Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Noheem Adams (right) during the signing the Y2026 Appropriation bill into law, at the Conference room of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday.

"We have been on this for so many years, and we have evidence. The exercise was meant to be done in December 2024; we extended it all throughout 2025. So, we cannot be a lawless set of people. We cannot fold our arms and let calamity or disaster happen."

Governor Sanwo-Olu also noted that as a compassionate government, affected residents would be given palliatives and relocation stipends as compensation.

He said, "I have instructed both local governments and the various ministries concerned to see how they also can give additional succor, palliatives and relocation stipends to some of the people just to show compassion. And to say, you have done wrong, but the government can still show compassion and be compassionate about it. It is to ensure that we all can live in a safe and secure environment."