Lagos 2027: Doherty outlines plan to tackle agbero situation at governorship debate

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Olufunso Doherty, has outlined plans to tackle the agbero network in Lagos State, proposing vocational training and job opportunities as part of efforts to address the menace.

Doherty, who spoke during the ongoing 2027 Lagos Governorship Debate, described the agbero situation as a multi-dimensional problem requiring political will, institutional independence and a comprehensive social intervention.

He argued that tackling the problem would begin with electing a government that was not beholden to the agbero network, insisting that such an administration would have the political will to confront those behind the system.

“The first step is that the government has to be elected outside of the agbero network. That is not beholden to the agbero network. And then you have the political will to deal with it,” he said.

Doherty explained that the network operated like a pyramid, with many people at the bottom engaging in the activities mainly to earn a living, while most of the money generated flowed to those at the top.

He, however, said addressing the problem required more than confronting those involved, stressing the need to tackle the economic circumstances pushing people into the network. As part of his proposed solution, he promised a massive expansion of technical and vocational education, including skill acquisition centres.

The NDC candidate also linked his proposal to the modernisation of Lagos’ transportation system, saying the sector could provide alternative employment for people currently involved in agbero activities. According to him, opportunities would be available in driving and conducting buses, as well as maintaining buses and trains.

“Somebody has to drive the buses, somebody has to be the conductor, somebody has to maintain the buses, somebody has to maintain the trains. These are the people who you can redirect to that work,” Doherty added.