Industrial expansion, electricity supply, affordable housing, transport infrastructure and the ease of doing business will dominate discussions as six Lagos governorship candidates meet with the organised private sector at the BusinessDay Town Hall today.
The candidates are expected to present their economic and development plans ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship election, as Lagos seeks to consolidate its position as Nigeria’s commercial hub and advance its ambition of becoming a $1 trillion urban economy.
Despite generating more than N1.7 trillion in annual internally generated revenue, Lagos continues to grapple with infrastructure deficits, unreliable electricity, traffic congestion, high housing costs, land administration bottlenecks and multiple levies that raise the cost of doing business.
The six candidates expected at the event are Kadri Obafemi Hamzat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Laja Adeoye of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Olufunso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Adedeji Doherty of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Oluwapamilerin Olurotimi Odunaike of the Labour Party (LP).
Their campaign proposals offer different approaches to addressing the state’s economic and infrastructure challenges.
Read also: Lagos governorship candidates to present blueprints at BusinessDay town hall meeting
Hamzat’s agenda centres on industrial expansion, with plans to establish four industrial parks in Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu and Ojo. He also proposes expanding electricity supply and investment in local businesses.
Adeoye plans to deploy 2,000 megawatts of electricity through independent power projects and decentralised energy systems. His proposals also include creating 100,000 jobs within two years and completing major infrastructure projects, including the Fourth Mainland Bridge.
Rhodes-Vivour prioritises affordable housing, proposing to deliver 100,000 housing units over four years. His plans also include rail expansion, decentralised waste management and environmental protection.
Doherty’s proposals focus on transparency in public procurement, 150,000 low-income housing units, free basic education and healthcare, as well as investment in bus, ferry and rail transportation.
Adedeji Doherty prioritises electricity distribution reform, industrial partnerships and transport infrastructure, alongside measures to address informal charges. Odunaike’s platform focuses on integrated transport, municipal infrastructure, equitable revenue distribution and public-sector reform.
For business leaders, the central question is whether these proposals are supported by credible financing, clear implementation timelines and measurable targets.
“The discussion will focus on how Lagos can convert its immense economic strength into a more productive, affordable and competitive environment for businesses and residents,” said Zebulon Agomuo, editor of BDSunday and head of BusinessDay’s politics desk.
The invitation-only event is scheduled to begin at 9 am and will also be livestreamed on BusinessDay’s official YouTube channel.
The town hall will allow the organised private sector to scrutinise the candidates’ proposals and assess how their policies could affect investment, productivity, job creation and the overall business environment in Lagos.
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Taofeek Oyedokun is a correspondent at BusinessDay with years of experience reporting on political economy, public policy, migration, environment/climate change, and social justice. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos, he has also earned multiple professional certificates in journalism and media-related training. Known for his clear, data-driven reporting, Oyedokun covers a wide range of national and international socioeconomic issues, bringing depth, balance, and public-interest focus to his work.
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