APC renews demand for special status for Lagos

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has again called on the National Assembly to grant Lagos a special status, insisting that the state remains Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and cultural centre.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the party’s spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, said Lagos makes an outsized contribution to the country’s survival yet continues to receive inadequate federal allocation and support.

Describing Lagos as the “engine room of the federation,” Oladejo said the state accounts for more than 20 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, 55 per cent of Value Added Tax collections, 65 per cent of corporate headquarters, and 70 per cent of maritime imports and logistics operations.

He argued that Lagos is far from being favoured by the Federal Government, pointing out that it received only 3.48 per cent of the 2024 federal allocation despite being the country’s leading revenue generator.

Oladejo listed critical challenges confronting the state, such as overstretched infrastructure, increasing pressure on healthcare and education systems due to rapid population growth, waste management, security concerns, environmental pollution, and the threat of coastal erosion. He said Lagos has largely relied on its internally generated revenue to tackle these burdens.

“Public hospitals cater not just to Lagosians but to thousands from other states. Public schools absorb the children of migrants daily, demanding continuous teacher recruitment and infrastructural expansion,” he said.

The APC spokesperson also described Lagos as a “national asset” and “home to all Nigerians,” observing that the state’s inclusiveness, opportunities, and relative security have made it a preferred place of residence for retired governors, ministers, generals, and public servants.

He cautioned that continued neglect would undermine a state central to Nigeria’s stability and growth.

“Despite enormous pressure, Lagos remains functional, progressive, peaceful, and growing. But this growth must be matched with deliberate federal support if we are to sustain Lagos’ role as the nation’s economic and cultural heartbeat,” he added.