Why Lagos deserves a ‘Special Status’ 

By Opeyemi Eniola

Since the turn of the century, the city of Lagos has emerged as a major economic and cultural hub in Nigeria and the African sub-region. With a population of over 20 million people, Lagos is not only the largest city in Nigeria but also one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. The 21st century-Lagos had begun to metamorphose into an emerging urban city, almost rubbishing the views of skeptics with their Armageddon-like prediction of a state already fraught with human congestion, surging crime, poor living conditions, environmental degradation, rural congestion, transportation chaos, a literacy rate that is barely above average, and a high cost of living.

Despite this downside, however, one thing you cannot take away from this state of aquatic splendor is its vast abundance of energy, skills, and resources. According to a 2012 report by Cities Alliance, a non-governmental organisation, Lagos State’s cultural and commercial strength accounts for 32 percent of the national GDP. Besides, the report describes Lagos as one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and says that by 2015, it is expected to be the globe’s third-largest city, according to United Nations estimates. Nevertheless, Lagos currently goes through oversubscription of its education, a development that this writer believes is occasioned by its explosive and growing population.

Lagos State is a confluence, no doubt! It is home to a diverse population that cuts across ethnic, religious, political, and socio-economic backgrounds. Little wonder it is generally referred to as a ‘Mini Nigeria’ considering its amalgam of tongues. This diversity nevertheless needs to be addressed within the context of the needs and aspirations of the varying groups that crave for education in the state. And for this to be realisable, Lagos deserves a special status that recognises and acknowledges its unique circumstances and peculiarities.

Although Lagos State is committed to the provision of quality education to all children in the state, the demand for education far exceeds the financial resources available to the state. This explains a surge in enrolments at private schools, which continues to grow rapidly. As stated earlier, with over 20 million residents, there is no way this reality will not put a strain on the city’s education system.

Now let us use the state basic, secondary, and tertiary school sub-sectors to drive home our argument. When Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was a two-term Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, demanded a special status for Lagos. One of the steps undertaken by Tinubu at the time was the expansion of the 20 existing local governments to 57 councils so that more development could percolate, particularly to the grassroots.

Since then, subsequent governments have repeatedly made similar calls at every opportunity possible. Three years ago, precisely in May 2021, just as plans were underway by the National Assembly to review the 1999 constitution, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, renewed the calls for a special status for Lagos State in view of the breakthrough Nigeria has so far enjoyed, which is arguably linked to the prosperity in Lagos State.

 Speaking at a two-day Senate zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his crave for a special status for the state is predicated on the sensitive role Lagos plays in the national economy despite its restricted land mass.

“For us in Lagos State, the issues of state police and fiscal federalism are at the top of the priority list for us in this ongoing review process. Equally fundamental, particularly for us in Lagos State, is the issue of a special economic status for Lagos, considering our place in the national economy and the special burdens we bear by virtue of our large population and limited landmass.

 ”I believe the need for this special status has been sufficiently articulated and justified. It suffices for me at this point to restate that this request is by no means a selfish one, but one that is actually in the interest of every Nigerian and of Nigeria as a nation.

“The progress and prosperity of Nigeria are inextricably linked to the progress and prosperity of Lagos State. A Special Status for Lagos, therefore, must be a concern not only for the people of Lagos State alone but for all Nigerians,” the Governor said.

A 2009-2020 Lagos Sector Education Plan, which captures Lagos State expenditures, revealed that most schoolchildren in Lagos State, for instance, are originally from other geo-political zones of the country. The document states that of the 133,516 junior secondary school pupils in Lagos State, only 13,756 pupils, amounting to 10.30 percent, are Lagos indigenes. Pupils across other South-West states take the next chunk, with 68,511 amounting to 51.31 percent.

Their counterparts from the South-East followed, claiming another huge 23,979 population, representing 17.82 percent. South-South is 8,355, indicating 6.26 percent, while North-East has 1,008 pupils, amounting to 0.75 percent. North-West has 136 pupils, representing 0.10 percent, while North-Central comprises 374 pupils, amounting to 0.82 percent. According to the document, total student enrolments into higher educational institutions in Lagos for part-time and full-time programmes skyrocketed from 76,697 to 118,466 between 2001 and 2005. Beyond inter-state migration, Lagos State is also attracting large numbers of expatriates who daily throng the state for Golden Fleece.

As a result, the city’s population is constantly growing and changing, making it difficult for the education system to keep up. In addition, Lagos is a cultural hub with a rich history and heritage. The city is home to numerous cultural institutions, museums, and libraries that play vital roles in preserving and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage. Furthermore, Lagos is a hub for innovation and technology in Nigeria.

The city is home to numerous tech start-ups, incubators, and accelerators that are driving economic growth and creating new opportunities for its residents. Every year, an army of prospective candidates seek admission into the state-owned university, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.

Unfortunately, a huge number of these candidates hardly secure admission because of access. Two years ago, the two existing colleges of education owned by Lagos State — Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, (AOCOED), Oto Ijanikin, and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED) in Noforija Epe — merged to become a university, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).

Also, the former state-owned polytechnic, Lagos State Polytechnic, was upgraded to Lagos State University of Technology (LASUSTECH), making three state-owned universities in Lagos State. One of the reasons behind government initiatives is the fad for university education, which has now become global. Another important reason, as underscored earlier, is to further address the problem of access, as LASU at the time could not accommodate the legion of admission-seeking candidates that desire university education every year.

Interestingly, no sooner had the three aforementioned institutions taken off that prospective candidates scrambled to have a slot in the limited spaces available. This means that unless the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders take decisive steps about Lagos State, these problems will continue to exist, m arginalising those who thirst for education in the state while hindering the state’s dream of a megacity. So what can we do to seek lasting solutions?

Summing up its research, the Cities Alliance has advocated that the Lagos State megacity project is achievable and will definitely have a greater impact on education in the state. It stated that the Mega City agenda should be a collaborative affair between the State and major stakeholders, transcending Lagos State to the private sector and other levels of government.

 Cities Alliance, in its study, noted that “Considering that Lagos megacity is likely to be the third-largest city in the world by 2015 according to current projections, responsibility for its planning and development must be overhauled and expanded beyond the Lagos State Government alone. “Apart from the public sector involvement through the other levels of government, the emphasis on public-private partnership should continue, and the strategies outlined in this report that have begun the transformation process will need to be consistently applied.

It is also imperative to undertake all legislative reforms necessary to make participation of the private sector and multiple levels of government possible so that the city’s inhabitants may avail themselves of the most equitable and sustainable social, political, and economic environment possible.” In conclusion, as long as Lagos State continues to be the darling of other states, people will continue to migrate into the state on a daily basis.

And as this continues, pressure will continue to mount on every facet of its life, including education. I am of the belief that the city’s large and diverse population, economic significance, cultural heritage, and role as an innovation hub must all coalesce towards creating lasting opportunities in providing quality education on one hand, as well as meeting the needs of those desirous of seeking the same in the state on the other.

God Bless Nigeria!

God Bless Lagos State!!

Opeyemi Eniola is the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Basic and Secondary Education