Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has urged members of State Executive Council to embrace the importance of leveraging technology and data in project management in the state.
Sanwo-Olu gave the admonishment today, at the One Day Workshop on Effective Project Management organized by the Project Implementation and Monitoring Unit (PIMU) and the Projecting Management Institute, USA held at the Marriot Hotel Ikeja.
The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, noted that the world is now in an era where digital tools and data-driven insights are transforming governance.
He said, “In an era where digital tools and data-driven insights are transforming governance. We must remain ahead of the curve. Technology offers us the ability to track projects in real-time, measure impact, and make data-informed decisions that enhance our capacity to deliver.”
Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu urged the Cabinet Members to be open to innovations and integrate them into their daily operations and activities, as they are not only familiar with the administration’s vision for Lagos State but are the very architects of the vision, stressing that they have a critical role to play in the delivery of the government’s agenda.
He added that the success of the shared mission of the state government depends largely on the efficiency, precision, and commitment with which they execute the projects.
“We have set ambitious targets across every sector that include education, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, social services, and beyond. Achieving these targets requires not just passion, but a disciplined approach to project management,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Speaking on the workshop and its importance the governor emphasized that in his administration, project management is not a technical formality; but the backbone of effective governance, stressing that the projects his government initiate either big or small are the tangible outcomes of its policies.
Sanwo-Olu noted that when projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards, they reinforce the government’s credibility, strengthen public trust, and accelerate the transformation of the state.
He added further that the workshop is also an opportunity to engage with advanced strategies that will ensure projects are managed with precision and accountability, from initiation to completion.
He said, “This knowledge will not only help us avoid pitfalls but will also enable us to seize opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and excellence. As key members of the Executive Council, each of you is a leader and a project champion. You are responsible not only for overseeing projects but for inspiring your teams, setting high standards, and ensuring that our collective goals are met. The effectiveness of your leadership in project management directly impacts our ability to deliver results for the people of Lagos.”
While reiterating the significant progress the state has made in the past years, he encouraged members of the cabinet to always give room for improvement. “As we deepen our understanding of effective project management, we are equipping ourselves to be more agile, innovative, and accountable,” he concluded.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Project Implementation and Monitoring, Mr. Olusegun Sanwo-olu, reiterated the importance of adopting AI, to improve turnaround time while making data-driven decisions and monitoring the impact of policies & projects on Lagosians.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu noted that it is the collective responsibility of the stakeholders to ensure that the present and future of Lagos are anchored on strong governance, visionary leadership, and a shared desire to make a sustainable and positive impact on the lives of every Lagosian.
While highlighting areas for amendment, the Executive Assistant noted the need to improve and harmonize the state’s regulatory, compliance, and project monitoring activities, particularly in relation to contractors executing projects and Lagosians as key stakeholders. He explained that the goal is to ensure that the Government is perceived as a unified organization with a human-centered approach, adding, “Achieving this will require robust backend synergy between MDAs, enabling seamless access to and retrieval of data from a centralized repository.”
In his address, the Managing Director of Sub-Saharan Africa PMI Global, Mr. George Asamani noted that there is an urgent call in Africa for the need to improve the continent’s project management capability to execute different initiatives across Africa.
He bemoaned that “despite the African great leaders with fantastic strategies and ideas, the final piece to move us forward is our execution capability and I believe we are still on the journey”.
Speaking on the workshop, the Managing Director stated that the workshop will help position the state to move beyond the conventional governance model and the participants will have the ability to enhance the value delivered by the government projects and will eventually make a meaningful impact in the lives of Lagosians.
