Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has renewed his call for Lagos to be granted special status in the Nigerian Constitution.
He argued that the demand is long overdue given the state’s historical and strategic importance.
He spoke through his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, at the South-West Centre A Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution held at Watercress Hotel in Ikeja.
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Sanwo-Olu stressed that Lagos bears a disproportionate share of the nation’s burdens, having served as Nigeria’s former capital and remaining its economic and population hub.
He maintained that any former capital city should not be left to shoulder the lingering responsibilities of the entire country without compensation or constitutional recognition.
“Any state that once served as the federal capital cannot simply inherit the assets and liabilities of the entire country, then be abandoned. Let us be fair to the people of Lagos by granting the state a special status,” he said.
The governor also reiterated his administration’s support for the establishment of state police, describing the issue as a matter of urgent security and not a debate about semantics.
“State policing is about protecting lives. It is not political, it is practical,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu further urged the National Assembly to formally list Lagos State’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the Constitution.
He noted that since their creation in 2003, the LCDAs had helped decentralise governance and enhance grassroots development.
He described the public hearing as a rare opportunity for the people of Lagos and the wider South-West to directly influence the highest law of the land.
“As we embark on this critical process of constitutional review, let us be guided by equity, inclusion, and justice. Every voice matters—young or old, male or female, from every part of our communities,” he said.
While commending the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee for promoting transparency and inclusiveness, Sanwo-Olu called on stakeholders to contribute purposefully to the process.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and constitutional reforms that promote good governance.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the South-West Centre A, Isiaka Ibrahim Ayokunle, assured participants that the committee would conduct the review with fairness, openness, and a commitment to justice.
He said all memoranda and suggestions submitted would receive thorough consideration at the National Assembly.
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Also, the Speakers of the Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo State Houses of Assembly backed calls for the recognition of traditional rulers in the Constitution, devolution of power from the federal centre, creation of state police, inclusion of LCDAs in the Constitution, and transfer of control over waterways to state governments.
They also highlighted security challenges and other regional concerns requiring urgent constitutional attention.
