from OKORO CHINEDU in Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
LAGOS, (CAJ News) – THE administration of Lagos State believes its capital city, of the same name, has the potential to be the biggest local economy in Africa.
However, peace and stability must be retained. These have seemed elusive in recent weeks after divisive state and national elections in Africa’s most populous country.
Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, expressed the sentiments as the West African nation joined the world to mark the just-concluded Easter celebration.
The politician noted that Lagos enjoyed peace and security because the State House of Assembly had constantly passed bills, motions and resolutions with the residents at the centre of consideration.
Thus it had the potential to be Africa’s largest economy.
“We will not rest,” Obsa said of his administration’s aspirations.
“Lagos, now the fifth largest economy in Africa, can become the biggest economy in the continent and further boost national progress.”
Obasa insisted, “This is our goal.”
According to the Africa Wealth Report of 2022, Lagos is Africa’s is the fourth wealthiest city in the continent.
The megacity is ranked behind Johannesburg, Cape Town (both South Africa) and the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
With an estimated population of 15,9 million people, Lagos is the most populous city in Africa and is a major contributor to the economy of Nigeria, Africa’s largest nation by population (over 200 million people, almost equally divided between Christians and Muslims) and the biggest national economy.
Nigeria is currently volatile, with recent elections that had former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu, announced as the winner adding to the uncertainty.
He is to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of the oil-rich country but ex-Deputy President, Atiku Abubakar, and former state governor, Peter Obi, are challenging the results in court.
Obasa appealed for unity.
“At this stage, we must see Nigeria as our country and resolve to unite to make it a better place for all,” he said.
– CAJ News