Lawyer Urges Tinubu to Grant Lagos, Ogun Special Economic Status
A lawyer and Head of Legal Affairs, Renewed Hope Ambassadors Diaspora, George Bamidele Ogunjimi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to grant Lagos and Ogun states special economic and development status to accelerate industrialisation and economic growth.
Ogunjimi made the call in an open letter dated September 1, 2026, addressed to the President, arguing that the two states have evolved beyond neighbouring administrative entities into an interconnected economic corridor with significant implications for Nigeria’s economy.
According to him, Lagos remains a major commercial, financial and business hub, with strong presence in finance, technology, telecommunications, trade, entertainment and international commerce, while Ogun has developed into a major industrial and manufacturing centre due largely to its proximity to Lagos, availability of land and growing infrastructure.
He said the economic interdependence between both states had created a situation where workers, businesses and residents regularly crossed the Lagos-Ogun boundary, with industries in Ogun relying on Lagos for access to markets, ports and financial services, while businesses in Lagos increasingly depend on Ogun for industrial expansion, warehousing, housing and logistics.
Ogunjimi, however, noted that the rapid development of the corridor had also created challenges, including congestion, rising business costs, housing pressure, poor connectivity and inadequate coordination in infrastructure, transportation, environmental management and urban planning.
He said, “The economy has already integrated these two states; government policy should now catch up with economic reality.”
The lawyer proposed the establishment of a Lagos-Ogun Special Economic and Development Framework by the Federal Government to coordinate the development of the corridor into a globally competitive industrial, commercial and logistics hub.
Among the measures proposed are accelerated development of rail, roads and mass transit systems linking residential, commercial, industrial and port corridors; development of manufacturing clusters in Ogun; targeted investment incentives; coordinated metropolitan planning; improved power and water infrastructure; and an integrated logistics network linking industrial centres with Lagos ports and major Nigerian and West African markets.
He also called for stronger collaboration between Lagos’ technology and services ecosystem and Ogun’s manufacturing base to promote smart manufacturing, digital commerce and innovation, alongside skills development programmes for young Nigerians.
Ogunjimi argued that the proposal should be viewed as a national economic investment rather than a regional demand, saying a stronger Lagos-Ogun corridor could help reduce logistics costs, increase domestic production, attract foreign investment, expand the tax base and create employment opportunities.
He further said coordinated development would allow Ogun to absorb more industrial and residential expansion while enabling Lagos to consolidate its position as a centre for finance, technology, commerce and international business.
The lawyer urged Tinubu to initiate a high-level consultation involving the Federal Government and the Lagos and Ogun state governments to develop a comprehensive framework for the proposed special status.
He recommended that the process begin with an economic and infrastructure assessment of the corridor, followed by the identification of priority projects, financing mechanisms, investment incentives and institutional arrangements.
Ogunjimi said the initiative could become one of the signature economic projects of the Tinubu administration and demonstrate how infrastructure, industrialisation and intergovernmental cooperation could be used to drive economic growth.
He maintained that granting special economic and development status to Lagos and Ogun would not amount to a favour to the two states, but an investment capable of strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base, creating jobs, attracting investment, increasing government revenue and improving regional trade.
