Lagos pledges to accelerate sustainable development through evidence-based impact
By Adeola Ogunrinde
The Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance through evidence-based planning, coordination, and measurable impact as part of efforts to accelerate sustainable development across the state.
Speaking at the Annual Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, said Lagos is improving how it tracks progress by integrating data systems across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
She noted that the data-driven governance model is already producing visible results, particularly through the state’s active role in the Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 Core Working Group, which focuses on strengthening interventions in health, education and social protection.
“Data is the bedrock of sustainable development; it allows us to move from intuition to impact,” Finnih said, adding that improved inter-agency data frameworks are enhancing accountability and helping to close inclusion and economic opportunity gaps for residents.
She also highlighted the successful coordination of Lagos State’s second Voluntary Local Review (VLR), describing it as a key milestone that brought together stakeholders to assess local progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and further positioned Lagos as a leader in subnational SDG reporting.
In a separate development, the Lagos State Central Business Districts (CBD) announced that it arrested and prosecuted 859 offenders across the Lagos Island and Ikeja business districts as part of intensified enforcement aimed at restoring order and improving sanitation in major commercial areas.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Hon. Mrs. Bola Olumegbon-Lawal, said 24 tricycle operators were among those prosecuted for offences including illegal parking, traffic light violations, dangerous driving and one-way driving infractions, while seven agency officials were suspended for misconduct and insubordination.
Olumegbon-Lawal said enforcement operations would continue across key commercial corridors such as Inner Marina, Broad Street, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dosumu, Ebute-Ero, Martins Street and Idumota as part of ongoing efforts to sustain environmental order and compliance in Lagos business districts.
