Babajide Sanwo-Olu has a number on his mind: one trillion dollars. The Lagos State Governor recently reaffirmed his administration's ambition to grow the state's economy to a $1 trillion GDP by 2052, positioning Lagos as both Nigeria's commercial gateway and a major continental driver of growth.
To get there, Sanwo-Olu is actively courting investors, making the case that Lagos is not just the country's economic engine but one of Africa's most compelling business destinations. The pitch is deliberate and the timeline is long, giving investors and policymakers nearly three decades to build toward that landmark figure.
Lagos already punches well above its weight. The state consistently contributes the largest share of Nigeria's GDP, and its infrastructure, population size, and commercial activity make it a natural anchor for any serious conversation about African economic growth.
Thirty years is both a long runway and a tight deadline. Whether Lagos can turn that trillion-dollar target from a headline into a reality will depend on the investments it attracts, and the policies it keeps, in the years ahead.
Originally published by BusinessDay.