By Ghazali Ibrahim 
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on a recent visit to the United States, delivered a compelling presentation at Harvard Business School as a guest speaker in Professor Hakeem Belo-Osagie’s course, “Understanding Africa: Business, Entrepreneurship, Political Economy and the Complexities of a Continent.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on the theme, “Building the Future: Lagos State’s Infrastructure-Led Transformation,” offering students and faculty a glimpse into the strategic development blueprint driving Africa’s most populous city.
His presentation highlighted the Lagos State ambitious efforts in infrastructure renewal, with significant strides in transportation, housing, climate resilience, and industrial growth.
“The goal is to make Lagos a shining example of how infrastructure can catalyze prosperity across Africa,” the governor said.
“We are not just growing; we are rising in importance and setting a pace that other cities on the continent can emulate.”
The session turned especially engaging during the interactive discussion with students, whose questions delved into critical themes such as leadership in the African context, sustainable revenue generation, public-private investment partnerships, and the future of urban transformation across the continent.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the students’ intellectual curiosity and insight, noting that the depth of the conversation underscored the increasing global interest in Africa’s economic models and developmental challenges.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to the Harvard Business School community for their warm hospitality and reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development.
