Accord Lagos special status it deserves, APC tells NASS

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has called on the National Assembly to rise above regional politics and partisan considerations and accord Lagos the Special status it has earned and long deserved.

Spokesperson of the party, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, explained that the call for a special status for Laos is neither new nor partisan, noting that it is rooted in logic, in data, and in the national interest.

He stated that despite the need for Lagos to be formally supported as Nigeria’s economic and demographic hub, which has been widely acknowledged from the era of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and successive National Assemblies, it has not yet been acted upon.

Oladejo, who described Lagos as the engine room of the federation that is built on vision, hard work, sacrifice, and inclusiveness, gave the description while setting straight the misguided narratives that suggested that Lagos enjoys unmerited privilege from the federal government.

He stressed that Lagos has given much to Nigeria’s economy, its unity, and its people, just as it carried burdens, absorbed shocks, and provided platforms of opportunity for millions.

According to him, no other state in Nigeria bears the weight of national productivity more than Lagos.

He highlighted the contributions of Lagos to the nation’s economy, including but not limited to over 20 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP, approximately 55 per cent of the nation’s VAT revenue, 65 per cent of corporate headquarters in the country, and 70 per cent of maritime imports and logistics activity.

“These are not speculative figures. They are hard data, backed by facts and sustained by deliberate governance, not federal indulgence,” he claimed.

He added, “Long after Abuja took over as the official capital, Lagos has remained Nigeria’s de facto capital of commerce, culture, and continuity. It is where Nigeria meets itself — in its beauty, its complexity, and its ambition.

“Nowhere is this more evident than in Lagos’ unique ability to welcome all Nigerians as full participants in the Lagos story, regardless of state of origin, language, faith, or political affiliation.

“Indeed, Lagos is not just where Nigerians come to start their dreams — it is where many come to retire in peace. From retired heads of service to former governors, ministers, generals, diplomats, and captains of industry, Lagos has quietly become the retirement capital of Nigeria. These distinguished men and women, many of whom built their careers elsewhere, return to Lagos for one reason: it feels like home.

“In no other state would public servants from other regions live, thrive, and be respected in such large numbers — without fear, without prejudice, and with full access to the fruits of society. That alone speaks volumes about Lagos’ character, maturity, and national appeal and essence.”

He also highlighted some of the burdens borne by the state as it serves as home to millions of Nigerians. This, according to him, includes, “However, this open-armed embrace comes with tremendous pressure. As a megacity with a population of over 22 million, Lagos bears the weight of infrastructure overload in terms of road networks, bridges, drainage, and transportation, which are under constant strain, requiring continuous reinvestment — often funded internally”.

“In healthcare demand, public hospitals serve not just Lagosians, but hundreds of thousands of health seekers from other states, stretching resources and staff, and public schools absorb the children of internal migrants daily, necessitating constant expansion, teacher recruitment, and infrastructural upgrades.

“Lagos battles coastal erosion, waste management, and urban pollution— made worse by unregulated population growth and migration. In the area of security and policing, as a magnet for opportunity, Lagos must also confront crime, urban conflict, and overstretched policing — often with state-funded security innovations, like the Lagos Security Trust Fund.

“Lagos continues to build and incentivize housing, but population growth continues to outpace supply, driving up costs and informal settlements. The state delivers extensive support to the unemployed, the elderly, widows, artisans, and the underserved, many of whom are not originally from Lagos. And yet, despite these enormous pressures, Lagos remains functional, progressive, peaceful, and growing.

“It is laughable, if not unfortunate, to suggest that Lagos is over-pampered by the federal government. In 2024, Lagos received just ₦531.1 billion in federal allocation — about 3.48% of the total shared from the federation account, even though it generates over 55% of VAT and more than a third of the country’s non-oil revenue.

“What Lagos has earned is not privilege — but respect. Let Lagos be applauded, not attacked. Lagos is not a regional city. It is a national asset, a federating hub, and a home to all Nigerians, whether as traders in Alaba, executives in Ikoyi, artists in Yaba, or retirees in Lekki. This is my Lagos. Your Lagos. Our Lagos. To those who envy its rise or resent its recognition, we offer an invitation: come and learn. Replicate the Lagos model. Compete in policy, not propaganda. But above all, tell the truth: Lagos is not over-pampered. Lagos is overburdened, over-performing, and under-credited.

“Let this generation of lawmakers be remembered as the one that acted with foresight. Let posterity write of a National Assembly that understood not only the needs of now, but the imperatives of the future. Because in truth, Nigeria cannot succeed if Lagos is ignored.”